Photographer salary in Santa Fe, NM
Photographers in the Santa Fe, NM metro area earn a median of $50,670 a year ($24.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,250 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 5% higher than the New Mexico statewide median of $48,090. There are 0.64 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $63,700, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Santa Fe, NM
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,660 | $17.63 |
| 25th percentile | $44,300 | $21.30 |
| Median | $50,670 | $24.36 |
| 75th percentile | $79,780 | $38.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $88,250 | $42.43 |
| Average (mean) | $63,700 | $30.63 |
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 | $4,222.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,111.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,948.85 |
| Weekly | $974.42 |
| Hourly | $24.36 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | $48,090 | 100 |
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 Mexico statewide figures.
Related jobs in Santa Fe, NM
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $69,410 | $33.37 |
| Graphic Designer | $45,170 | $21.72 |
| Producers and Directors | $64,990 | $31.25 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $44,270 | $21.28 |
| Editor | $64,200 | $30.87 |
| Interior Designer | $72,800 | $35.00 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $72,610 | $34.91 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Santa Fe, NM
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 Santa Fe, NM?
The median salary for photographers in the Santa Fe, NM metro area is $50,670 a year, or $24.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,250 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Santa Fe, NM?
The top 10% of photographers in the Santa Fe, NM metro area earn at least $88,250 a year. The top 25% earn $79,780 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Santa Fe, NM?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,660 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $44,300 or less.
How many photographers work in Santa Fe, NM?
About 40 photographers are employed in the Santa Fe, NM metro area, not counting the self-employed.