Photographer salary in Roanoke, VA
Photographers in the Roanoke, VA metro area earn a median of $39,710 a year ($19.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,700 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 15% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $46,550. There are 0.35 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $45,620, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Roanoke, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,230 | $13.09 |
| 25th percentile | $34,530 | $16.60 |
| Median | $39,710 | $19.09 |
| 75th percentile | $46,800 | $22.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,700 | $30.63 |
| Average (mean) | $45,620 | $21.93 |
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 | $3,309.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,654.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,527.31 |
| Weekly | $763.65 |
| Hourly | $19.09 |
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 |
| Richmond, VA | $46,420 | 270 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $44,290 | 60 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $42,210 | 210 |
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 Roanoke, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $40,630 | $19.54 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $36,340 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,100 | $19.28 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $62,130 | $29.87 |
| Graphic Designer | $60,120 | $28.90 |
| Producers and Directors | $47,960 | $23.06 |
| Interior Designer | $61,730 | $29.68 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $55,820 | $26.84 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $71,920 | $34.58 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $45,260 | $21.76 |
| Floral Designer | $33,110 | $15.92 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $54,630 | $26.26 |
| Editor | $58,100 | $27.93 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Roanoke, 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 Roanoke, VA?
The median salary for photographers in the Roanoke, VA metro area is $39,710 a year, or $19.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Roanoke, VA?
The top 10% of photographers in the Roanoke, VA metro area earn at least $63,700 a year. The top 25% earn $46,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Roanoke, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,230 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $34,530 or less.
How many photographers work in Roanoke, VA?
About 50 photographers are employed in the Roanoke, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.