Photographer salary in Tennessee
Photographers in Tennessee earn a median of $37,950 a year ($18.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 780 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,060 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $44,660. Tennessee ranks 34th of 49 states for photographers pay. There are 0.24 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.71). The average (mean) salary is $44,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,820 | $13.86 |
| 25th percentile | $32,780 | $15.76 |
| Median | $37,950 | $18.25 |
| 75th percentile | $51,540 | $24.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $67,060 | $32.24 |
| Average (mean) | $44,060 | $21.18 |
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 | $3,162.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,581.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,459.62 |
| Weekly | $729.81 |
| Hourly | $18.25 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Photographer salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $44,480 | 240 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $38,510 | 110 |
| Knoxville, TN | $36,240 | 100 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $33,600 | 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 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $49,970 | $24.02 |
| Film and Video Editors | $57,880 | $27.83 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $60,500 | $29.09 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $57,030 | $27.42 |
| Broadcast Technician | $47,340 | $22.76 |
| Lighting Technician | $60,870 | $29.27 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $42,370 | $20.37 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $37,780 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $34,500 | $16.59 |
| Graphic Designer | $57,270 | $27.54 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $60,900 | $29.28 |
| Producers and Directors | $73,020 | $35.11 |
| Interior Designer | $63,660 | $30.61 |
| Editor | $59,550 | $28.63 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for photographers in Tennessee is $37,950 a year, or $18.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of photographers in Tennessee earn at least $67,060 a year. The top 25% earn $51,540 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,820 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $32,780 or less.
How many photographers work in Tennessee?
About 780 photographers are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.