Photographer salary in St. Louis, MO-IL
Photographers in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $39,170 a year ($18.83 an hour), based on BLS data for 420 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,750 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is about the same as the Missouri statewide median of $39,170. There are 0.31 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $48,830, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $34,380 | $16.53 |
| Median | $39,170 | $18.83 |
| 75th percentile | $58,850 | $28.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,750 | $36.90 |
| Average (mean) | $48,830 | $23.47 |
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 | $3,264.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,632.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,506.54 |
| Weekly | $753.27 |
| Hourly | $18.83 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Springfield, MO | $52,510 | 80 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $43,750 | 280 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $43,100 | 30 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $36,810 | 1,590 |
| Rockford, IL | $36,360 | 40 |
| 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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $52,030 | $25.01 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $61,750 | $29.69 |
| Film and Video Editors | $72,300 | $34.76 |
| Broadcast Technician | $48,650 | $23.39 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $71,360 | $34.31 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $96,010 | $46.16 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $37,970 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $61,000 | $29.33 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $65,170 | $31.33 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $48,020 | $23.09 |
| Producers and Directors | $82,750 | $39.78 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $34,360 | — |
| Interior Designer | $61,570 | $29.60 |
| Floral Designer | $35,430 | $17.03 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in St. Louis, MO-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 St. Louis, MO-IL?
The median salary for photographers in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $39,170 a year, or $18.83 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,750 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The top 10% of photographers in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn at least $76,750 a year. The top 25% earn $58,850 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in St. Louis, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,200 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $34,380 or less.
How many photographers work in St. Louis, MO-IL?
About 420 photographers are employed in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.