Photographer salary in Tucson, AZ
Photographers in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn a median of $43,360 a year ($20.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,160 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 17% higher than the Arizona statewide median of $36,970. There are 0.15 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.45). The average (mean) salary is $50,410, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Tucson, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,800 | $14.81 |
| 25th percentile | $32,810 | $15.78 |
| Median | $43,360 | $20.85 |
| 75th percentile | $67,290 | $32.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,160 | $38.06 |
| Average (mean) | $50,410 | $24.23 |
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 | $3,613.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,806.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,667.69 |
| Weekly | $833.85 |
| Hourly | $20.85 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $36,970 | 1,140 |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $34,010 | 40 |
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 Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Tucson, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $43,010 | $20.68 |
| Broadcast Technician | $49,150 | $23.63 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $61,630 | $29.63 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,080 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $57,710 | $27.74 |
| Producers and Directors | $64,530 | $31.03 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,740 | $18.14 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $57,920 | $27.85 |
| Technical Writer | $75,070 | $36.09 |
| Interior Designer | $58,110 | $27.94 |
| Editor | $59,420 | $28.57 |
| Writers and Authors | $47,990 | $23.07 |
| Actor | — | $18.12 |
| Floral Designer | $34,560 | $16.61 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Tucson, AZ
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 Tucson, AZ?
The median salary for photographers in the Tucson, AZ metro area is $43,360 a year, or $20.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,160 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Tucson, AZ?
The top 10% of photographers in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn at least $79,160 a year. The top 25% earn $67,290 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Tucson, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,800 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $32,810 or less.
How many photographers work in Tucson, AZ?
About 60 photographers are employed in the Tucson, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.