Photographer salary in Richmond, VA
Photographers in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $46,420 a year ($22.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 270 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,990 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is about the same as the Virginia statewide median of $46,550. There are 0.41 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $53,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,260 | $15.03 |
| 25th percentile | $36,750 | $17.67 |
| Median | $46,420 | $22.32 |
| 75th percentile | $57,390 | $27.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,990 | $48.07 |
| Average (mean) | $53,510 | $25.72 |
Half of photographers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,868.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,934.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,785.38 |
| Weekly | $892.69 |
| Hourly | $22.32 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Photographer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $54,530 | 1,060 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $44,290 | 60 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $42,210 | 210 |
| Roanoke, VA | $39,710 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for photographers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $110,970 |
| New York | $60,050 |
| Massachusetts | $57,990 |
| Oregon | $53,630 |
| Utah | $52,140 |
| Delaware | $50,100 |
| Connecticut | $49,790 |
| New Mexico | $48,090 |
| Washington | $48,050 |
| California | $47,840 |
See Photographer pay in every state or the Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $55,490 | $26.68 |
| Broadcast Technician | $52,160 | $25.08 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $55,120 | $26.50 |
| Lighting Technician | $55,220 | $26.55 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $75,730 | $36.41 |
| Graphic Designer | $66,350 | $31.90 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $38,630 | $18.57 |
| Interior Designer | $58,790 | $28.27 |
| Producers and Directors | $59,990 | $28.84 |
| Editor | $70,380 | $33.84 |
| Writers and Authors | $74,300 | $35.72 |
| Technical Writer | $79,200 | $38.08 |
| Art Director | $99,610 | $47.89 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $78,030 | $37.52 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Richmond, VA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-4021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a photographer make in Richmond, VA?
The median salary for photographers in the Richmond, VA metro area is $46,420 a year, or $22.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of photographers in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $99,990 a year. The top 25% earn $57,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,260 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $36,750 or less.
How many photographers work in Richmond, VA?
About 270 photographers are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.