Photographer salary in Rockford, IL
Photographers in the Rockford, IL metro area earn a median of $36,360 a year ($17.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,380 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 1% lower than the Illinois statewide median of $36,570. There are 0.29 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $41,290, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Rockford, IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Median | $36,360 | $17.48 |
| 75th percentile | $41,470 | $19.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,380 | $33.84 |
| Average (mean) | $41,290 | $19.85 |
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 | $3,030 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,515 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,398.46 |
| Weekly | $699.23 |
| Hourly | $17.48 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $43,100 | 30 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $39,170 | 420 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $36,810 | 1,590 |
| Peoria, IL | $35,510 | 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 Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rockford, IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $31,770 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $54,530 | $26.22 |
| Producers and Directors | $41,250 | $19.83 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $36,470 | $17.54 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $62,500 | $30.05 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $48,140 | $23.14 |
| Editor | $59,380 | $28.55 |
| Floral Designer | $34,330 | $16.50 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Rockford, IL
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 Rockford, IL?
The median salary for photographers in the Rockford, IL metro area is $36,360 a year, or $17.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Rockford, IL?
The top 10% of photographers in the Rockford, IL metro area earn at least $70,380 a year. The top 25% earn $41,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Rockford, IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,200 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $31,200 or less.
How many photographers work in Rockford, IL?
About 40 photographers are employed in the Rockford, IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.