Photographer salary in Rochester, NY
Photographers in the Rochester, NY metro area earn a median of $42,260 a year ($20.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,280 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 30% lower than the New York statewide median of $60,050. There are 0.23 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.70). The average (mean) salary is $50,340, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Rochester, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,400 | $16.54 |
| 25th percentile | $35,000 | $16.83 |
| Median | $42,260 | $20.32 |
| 75th percentile | $63,170 | $30.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,280 | $37.63 |
| Average (mean) | $50,340 | $24.20 |
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 | $3,521.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,760.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,625.38 |
| Weekly | $812.69 |
| Hourly | $20.32 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $60,050 | 3,590 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $58,050 | 150 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $50,940 | 130 |
| Syracuse, NY | $49,560 | 80 |
| Kingston, NY | $42,960 | 30 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $39,190 | 140 |
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 New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rochester, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $55,000 | $26.44 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $76,700 | $36.88 |
| Film and Video Editors | $73,680 | $35.42 |
| Broadcast Technician | $47,560 | $22.87 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $50,850 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $71,740 | $34.49 |
| Graphic Designer | $63,530 | $30.54 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $77,770 | $37.39 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,700 | $19.57 |
| Producers and Directors | $83,030 | $39.92 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $46.86 |
| Art Director | $102,070 | $49.07 |
| Editor | $76,620 | $36.84 |
| Music Directors and Composers | $84,130 | $40.45 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Rochester, NY
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 Rochester, NY?
The median salary for photographers in the Rochester, NY metro area is $42,260 a year, or $20.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Rochester, NY?
The top 10% of photographers in the Rochester, NY metro area earn at least $78,280 a year. The top 25% earn $63,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Rochester, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,400 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $35,000 or less.
How many photographers work in Rochester, NY?
About 120 photographers are employed in the Rochester, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.