Photographer salary in West Virginia
Photographers in West Virginia earn a median of $36,110 a year ($17.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,510 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $44,660. West Virginia ranks 46th of 49 states for photographers pay. There are 0.15 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.46). The average (mean) salary is $41,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in West Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,130 | $14.00 |
| 25th percentile | $35,400 | $17.02 |
| Median | $36,110 | $17.36 |
| 75th percentile | $45,770 | $22.01 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,510 | $27.65 |
| Average (mean) | $41,220 | $19.82 |
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 | $3,009.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,504.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,388.85 |
| Weekly | $694.42 |
| Hourly | $17.36 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Photographer salary in cities in West Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $54,530 | 1,060 |
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 West Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $46,590 | $22.40 |
| Broadcast Technician | $27,310 | $13.13 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $43,390 | $20.86 |
| Film and Video Editors | $48,440 | $23.29 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $52,050 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $36,660 | $17.63 |
| Graphic Designer | $40,350 | $19.40 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $56,730 | $27.27 |
| Editor | $56,630 | $27.23 |
| Floral Designer | $29,860 | $14.35 |
| Producers and Directors | $46,660 | $22.43 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $35,280 | $16.96 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $35,400 | $17.02 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $73,030 | $35.11 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in West 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 West Virginia?
The median salary for photographers in West Virginia is $36,110 a year, or $17.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,510 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in West Virginia?
The top 10% of photographers in West Virginia earn at least $57,510 a year. The top 25% earn $45,770 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in West Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,130 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $35,400 or less.
How many photographers work in West Virginia?
About 110 photographers are employed in West Virginia, not counting the self-employed.