Photographer salary in Wisconsin
Photographers in Wisconsin earn a median of $42,060 a year ($20.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 850 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,550 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $44,660. Wisconsin ranks 23rd of 49 states for photographers pay. There are 0.29 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $49,640, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Wisconsin
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,540 | $15.16 |
| 25th percentile | $37,110 | $17.84 |
| Median | $42,060 | $20.22 |
| 75th percentile | $56,940 | $27.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,550 | $38.73 |
| Average (mean) | $49,640 | $23.87 |
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 | $3,505 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,752.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,617.69 |
| Weekly | $808.85 |
| Hourly | $20.22 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Photographer salary in cities in Wisconsin
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $47,300 | 30 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $46,960 | 520 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $44,940 | 300 |
| Madison, WI | $43,040 | 160 |
| Green Bay, WI | $38,080 | 80 |
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 Wisconsin
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $51,390 | $24.71 |
| Broadcast Technician | $62,400 | $30.00 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $52,810 | $25.39 |
| Film and Video Editors | $53,430 | $25.69 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $46,780 | $22.49 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $44,800 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $67,240 | $32.33 |
| Graphic Designer | $59,900 | $28.80 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,510 | $19.00 |
| Producers and Directors | $66,390 | $31.92 |
| Editor | $64,270 | $30.90 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $63,390 | $30.48 |
| Interior Designer | $62,740 | $30.17 |
| Floral Designer | $35,010 | $16.83 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin?
The median salary for photographers in Wisconsin is $42,060 a year, or $20.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Wisconsin?
The top 10% of photographers in Wisconsin earn at least $80,550 a year. The top 25% earn $56,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Wisconsin?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,540 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $37,110 or less.
How many photographers work in Wisconsin?
About 850 photographers are employed in Wisconsin, not counting the self-employed.