Photographer salary in South Dakota
Photographers in South Dakota earn a median of $45,330 a year ($21.79 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,750 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $44,660. South Dakota ranks 19th of 49 states for photographers pay. There are 0.41 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $43,740, close to the median.
Pay range for photographers in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,150 | $14.98 |
| 25th percentile | $35,090 | $16.87 |
| Median | $45,330 | $21.79 |
| 75th percentile | $50,150 | $24.11 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $54,750 | $26.32 |
| Average (mean) | $43,740 | $21.03 |
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 | $3,777.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,888.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,743.46 |
| Weekly | $871.73 |
| Hourly | $21.79 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Photographer salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $45,760 | 80 |
| Rapid City, SD | $39,780 | 30 |
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 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $44,160 | $21.23 |
| Broadcast Technician | $32,150 | $15.46 |
| Film and Video Editors | $39,090 | $18.79 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $36,360 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $48,390 | $23.26 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,190 | $19.32 |
| Choreographer | $40,320 | $19.39 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $40,630 | $19.53 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $53,140 | $25.55 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $64,520 | $31.02 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $60,110 | $28.90 |
| Floral Designer | $33,910 | $16.30 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $43,520 | $20.92 |
| Producers and Directors | $60,260 | $28.97 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
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 South Dakota?
The median salary for photographers in South Dakota is $45,330 a year, or $21.79 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,750 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of photographers in South Dakota earn at least $54,750 a year. The top 25% earn $50,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,150 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $35,090 or less.
How many photographers work in South Dakota?
About 190 photographers are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.