📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Photographer Salary in District of Columbia (2026)

District of Columbia · 52.0% above national average · Medium Demand

Average
$76,426
per year
Median
$64,266
per year
Hourly
$36.74
per hour
🏛️ Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
📊
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$41,694
25th Percentile — Junior$60,846
50th Percentile — Median$64,266
75th Percentile — Senior$103,938
90th Percentile — Top Earners$122,053
💡 Top-earning Photographers in District of Columbia make up to $122,053 per year. The job market in District of Columbia is rated very strong, with key industries including Government, Finance, Technology.
📈
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$65.9k
2021
$67.9k
2022
$69.9k
2023
$72.0k
2024
$74.2k
2025
$76.4k
2026
📈 Photographer salaries in District of Columbia have followed the national trend with 3.0% annual growth. The strong presence in District of Columbia's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Photographer Salary by City in District of Columbia
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Washington $116,168 +52.0% Medium
🔍
Photographer Job Market in District of Columbia
Key factors affecting compensation

District of Columbia is home to a very strong job market for Photographers. The state's key industries — Government, Finance, Technology — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $76,426 per year, District of Columbia's Photographer salaries are 52.0% higher than the national average.

The cost of living in District of Columbia (index: 1.52) justifies the higher pay scale. Entry-level professionals in District of Columbia can expect to earn $41,694–$60,846, while experienced Photographers can command $103,938–$122,053.

Looking ahead, the Photographer profession in District of Columbia is projected to grow at 3.0% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Government continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
⚖️
Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Photographer salary in District of Columbia is $76,426 per year in 2026, which is 52.0% above the national average of $50,280.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Photographers the highest wages in District of Columbia due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • District of Columbia has a very strong job market with major industries in Government, Finance, Technology. This makes it one of the better states for Photographer employment.
  • At $76,426/year, District of Columbia Photographer salaries are 52.0% higher than the national average of $50,280/year.