Photographer salary in Texas
Photographers in Texas earn a median of $41,280 a year ($19.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,330 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,720 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $44,660. Texas ranks 25th of 49 states for photographers pay. There are 0.31 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $43,720, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Texas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,910 | $11.98 |
| 25th percentile | $34,980 | $16.82 |
| Median | $41,280 | $19.85 |
| 75th percentile | $51,510 | $24.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,720 | $30.15 |
| Average (mean) | $43,720 | $21.02 |
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 | $3,440 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,720 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,587.69 |
| Weekly | $793.85 |
| Hourly | $19.85 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Photographer salary in cities in Texas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Corpus Christi, TX | $45,000 | 50 |
| Waco, TX | $44,300 | 30 |
| Lubbock, TX | $44,230 | 40 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $43,970 | 1,480 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $41,840 | 40 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $41,280 | 800 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $38,970 | 540 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $37,780 | 330 |
| El Paso, TX | $36,650 | 80 |
| Tyler, TX | $34,130 | 50 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | $32,780 | n/a |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | $28,110 | 70 |
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 Texas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $49,440 | $23.77 |
| Broadcast Technician | $49,440 | $23.77 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $63,110 | $30.34 |
| Film and Video Editors | $61,220 | $29.43 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $54,370 | $26.14 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| Lighting Technician | $53,150 | $25.55 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $65,160 | $31.33 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $36,510 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,260 | $17.91 |
| Graphic Designer | $60,150 | $28.92 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $47,510 | $22.84 |
| Producers and Directors | $71,710 | $34.48 |
| Editor | $45,950 | $22.09 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Texas
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 Texas?
The median salary for photographers in Texas is $41,280 a year, or $19.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Texas?
The top 10% of photographers in Texas earn at least $62,720 a year. The top 25% earn $51,510 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Texas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,910 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $34,980 or less.
How many photographers work in Texas?
About 4,330 photographers are employed in Texas, not counting the self-employed.