Photographer salary in Washington
Photographers in Washington earn a median of $48,050 a year ($23.10 an hour), based on BLS data for 960 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,200 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $44,660. Washington ranks 9th of 49 states for photographers pay. There are 0.27 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $56,270, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| 25th percentile | $40,690 | $19.56 |
| Median | $48,050 | $23.10 |
| 75th percentile | $65,450 | $31.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,200 | $40.00 |
| Average (mean) | $56,270 | $27.05 |
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 | $4,004.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,002.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,848.08 |
| Weekly | $924.04 |
| Hourly | $23.10 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Photographer salary in cities in Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $59,220 | 350 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $51,790 | 550 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $45,690 | 170 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $43,550 | 40 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $38,010 | 30 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $69,270 | $33.30 |
| Film and Video Editors | $66,870 | $32.15 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $60,250 | $28.97 |
| Broadcast Technician | $62,070 | $29.84 |
| Lighting Technician | $126,100 | $60.63 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $48,030 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $87,470 | $42.05 |
| Graphic Designer | $72,710 | $34.96 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $48,780 | $23.45 |
| Producers and Directors | $81,550 | $39.21 |
| Editor | $77,850 | $37.43 |
| Technical Writer | $104,070 | $50.03 |
| Interior Designer | $76,570 | $36.81 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $61,750 | $29.69 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for photographers in Washington is $48,050 a year, or $23.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Washington?
The top 10% of photographers in Washington earn at least $83,200 a year. The top 25% earn $65,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,440 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $40,690 or less.
How many photographers work in Washington?
About 960 photographers are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.