Photographers Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$36,470
- 25th Percentile — Junior$38,410
- 50th Percentile — Median$47,840
- 75th Percentile — Senior$72,100
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$125,490
Half of Photographers in California earn more than $47,840. The top 10% make $125,490 or more, while entry-level workers start around $36,470.
Photographers in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 4th of 49 states for Photographers pay, at $70,040 per year (26.4% above the U.S. average of $55,410).
- 7,980 people work as Photographers in California — 15.4% of all U.S. Photographers jobs.
- Location quotient 1.32: Photographers jobs are more concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $36,470; the top 10% earn over $125,490.
- Hourly equivalent: $33.67 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $104,630.
- Among creative jobs in California, Art Directors pays the most ($156,060).
Photographers Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Photographers here earn $70,040 on average, placing the state 4th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $70,040 is roughly equivalent to $49,324 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, District of Columbia ($104,630), New York ($71,710), Massachusetts ($71,300) are the closest alternatives for Photographers weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Creative Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Art Directors $156,060/yr California +122.8% vs this role
- Producers and Directors $155,750/yr California +122.4% vs this role
- Special Effects Artists and Animators $134,360/yr California +91.8% vs this role
- Editors $111,810/yr California +59.6% vs this role
- Writers and Authors $106,560/yr California +52.1% vs this role
- Camera Operators Television Video Motion Picture $106,350/yr California +51.8% vs this role
- Public Relations Specialists $97,140/yr California +38.7% vs this role
- Interior Designers $89,740/yr California +28.1% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Photographers salary in California?
The average Photographers salary in California is $70,040 per year (median $47,840), which is 26.4% above the national average of $55,410.
How does California rank for Photographers pay?
California ranks 4th out of 49 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($104,630/yr).
How much do entry-level Photographers make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Photographers in California earn about $36,470 per year and the 25th percentile is $38,410.
How much do Photographers make per hour in California?
About $33.67 per hour, based on the $70,040 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Photographers work in California?
BLS counts 7,980 Photographers jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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