Photographer salary in Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA
Photographers in the Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA metro area earn a median of $45,690 a year ($21.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $65,630 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 5% lower than the Washington statewide median of $48,050. There are 0.66 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $47,070, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,480 | $17.54 |
| 25th percentile | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| Median | $45,690 | $21.97 |
| 75th percentile | $46,750 | $22.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $65,630 | $31.55 |
| Average (mean) | $47,070 | $22.63 |
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 | $3,807.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,903.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,757.31 |
| Weekly | $878.65 |
| Hourly | $21.97 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $59,220 | 350 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $51,790 | 550 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $43,550 | 40 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $38,010 | 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 |
See Photographer pay in every state or the Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $60,770 | $29.22 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $36,230 | $17.42 |
| Broadcast Technician | $49,290 | $23.70 |
| Film and Video Editors | $45,010 | $21.64 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $46,050 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $74,610 | $35.87 |
| Graphic Designer | $56,530 | $27.18 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $47,120 | $22.65 |
| Producers and Directors | $61,430 | $29.54 |
| Interior Designer | $61,310 | $29.48 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $47,630 | $22.90 |
| Editor | $67,810 | $32.60 |
| Floral Designer | $42,950 | $20.65 |
| Technical Writer | $84,300 | $40.53 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA
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 Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA?
The median salary for photographers in the Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA metro area is $45,690 a year, or $21.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $65,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA?
The top 10% of photographers in the Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA metro area earn at least $65,630 a year. The top 25% earn $46,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,480 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $37,440 or less.
How many photographers work in Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA?
About 170 photographers are employed in the Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.