Photographers Salary in California
Photographers in California earn a median annual wage of $47,840 —7.1% above the national median of $44,660. That ranks CA #10 of 49 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is 1.32× as concentrated as the national average, making California a strong market for this occupation.
Highest-paying states for photographers
All 49 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $110,970 | $53.35 | 260 | 1.13 |
| 2 | New York | $60,050 | $28.87 | 3,650 | 1.13 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $57,990 | $27.88 | 830 | 0.69 |
| 4 | Oregon | $53,630 | $25.78 | 510 | 0.78 |
| 5 | Utah | $52,140 | $25.07 | 660 | 1.14 |
| 6 | Delaware | $50,100 | $24.09 | 180 | 1.11 |
| 7 | Connecticut | $49,790 | $23.94 | 630 | 1.12 |
| 8 | New Mexico | $48,090 | $23.12 | 230 | 0.79 |
| 9 | Washington | $48,050 | $23.10 | 960 | 0.81 |
| 10 | California | $47,840 | $23.00 | 7,980 | 1.32 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialists | $85,030 | $74,750 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,660 | $47,320 |
| Graphic Designers | $75,130 | $62,960 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $47,010 | $39,390 |
| Producers and Directors | $129,790 | $90,360 |
| Editors | $98,030 | $77,920 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do photographers make in California?
The median annual wage for photographers in California is $47,840, or $23.00 per hour. That is 7.1% above the national median of $44,660.
What is the entry-level photographers salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $36,470 per year ($17.54/hour). The 25th percentile is $38,410.
How many people work as photographers in California?
About 7,980 people work in this occupation in California, or 0.4 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for photographers?
California ranks #10 of 49 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is 1.32x as concentrated as the national average, making California a strong market for this occupation.
Which state pays photographers the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median wage at $110,970 per year, followed by New York ($60,050) and Massachusetts ($57,990).