Photographer salary in Virginia
Photographers in Virginia earn a median of $46,550 a year ($22.38 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,580 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,060 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $44,660. Virginia ranks 14th of 49 states for photographers pay. There are 0.38 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $52,640, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $35,640 | $17.14 |
| Median | $46,550 | $22.38 |
| 75th percentile | $55,800 | $26.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $91,060 | $43.78 |
| Average (mean) | $52,640 | $25.31 |
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 | $3,879.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,939.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,790.38 |
| Weekly | $895.19 |
| Hourly | $22.38 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Photographer salary in cities in Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $54,530 | 1,060 |
| Richmond, VA | $46,420 | 270 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $44,290 | 60 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $42,210 | 210 |
| Roanoke, VA | $39,710 | 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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $53,960 | $25.94 |
| Broadcast Technician | $57,940 | $27.86 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $58,440 | $28.10 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $117,640 | $56.56 |
| Lighting Technician | $60,340 | $29.01 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $49,920 | $24.00 |
| Film and Video Editors | $78,740 | $37.85 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $80,380 | $38.65 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $46,290 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $72,310 | $34.77 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| Producers and Directors | $65,900 | $31.69 |
| Editor | $80,590 | $38.74 |
| Technical Writer | $93,600 | $45.00 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for photographers in Virginia is $46,550 a year, or $22.38 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Virginia?
The top 10% of photographers in Virginia earn at least $91,060 a year. The top 25% earn $55,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,200 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $35,640 or less.
How many photographers work in Virginia?
About 1,580 photographers are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.