Photographer salary in Syracuse, NY
Photographers in the Syracuse, NY metro area earn a median of $49,560 a year ($23.83 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,190 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 17% lower than the New York statewide median of $60,050. There are 0.28 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $53,820, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Syracuse, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,510 | $17.07 |
| 25th percentile | $40,440 | $19.44 |
| Median | $49,560 | $23.83 |
| 75th percentile | $64,980 | $31.24 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,190 | $36.63 |
| Average (mean) | $53,820 | $25.88 |
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 | $4,130 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,065 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,906.15 |
| Weekly | $953.08 |
| Hourly | $23.83 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $60,050 | 3,590 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $58,050 | 150 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $50,940 | 130 |
| Kingston, NY | $42,960 | 30 |
| Rochester, NY | $42,260 | 120 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $39,190 | 140 |
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 York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Syracuse, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $61,610 | $29.62 |
| Broadcast Technician | $42,330 | $20.35 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $64,110 | $30.82 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $60,600 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,630 | $19.05 |
| Graphic Designer | $52,390 | $25.19 |
| Producers and Directors | $79,680 | $38.31 |
| Music Directors and Composers | $140,230 | $67.42 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $57,060 | $27.44 |
| Technical Writer | $84,520 | $40.63 |
| Editor | $69,190 | $33.27 |
| Interior Designer | $54,470 | $26.19 |
| Art Director | $118,560 | $57.00 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $81,650 | $39.26 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Syracuse, NY
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 Syracuse, NY?
The median salary for photographers in the Syracuse, NY metro area is $49,560 a year, or $23.83 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Syracuse, NY?
The top 10% of photographers in the Syracuse, NY metro area earn at least $76,190 a year. The top 25% earn $64,980 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Syracuse, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,510 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $40,440 or less.
How many photographers work in Syracuse, NY?
About 80 photographers are employed in the Syracuse, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.