BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Photographers in Colorado

$58,170 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$27.97 per hour

▲ 5.0% above U.S. average7th of 49 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$58,170per year
Median$47,070per year
Hourly$27.97per hour
10th – 90th percentile$36,440 – $92,200per year

Photographers Pay Range in Colorado

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$36,440
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$38,730
  • 50th Percentile — Median$47,070
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$69,990
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$92,200

Half of Photographers in Colorado earn more than $47,070. The top 10% make $92,200 or more, while entry-level workers start around $36,440.

Photographers in Colorado: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Colorado ranks 7th of 49 states for Photographers pay, at $58,170 per year (5.0% above the U.S. average of $55,410).
  • 1,140 people work as Photographers in Colorado — 2.2% of all U.S. Photographers jobs.
  • Location quotient 1.19: Photographers jobs are more concentrated in Colorado than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $36,440; the top 10% earn over $92,200.
  • Hourly equivalent: $27.97 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $104,630.
  • Among creative jobs in Colorado, Art Directors pays the most ($112,040).

Photographers Job Market in Colorado

Key factors affecting compensation

Colorado's key industries are Technology, Aerospace, Tourism, and its job market is rated very strong. Photographers here earn $58,170 on average, placing the state 7th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 1.1 (U.S. = 1.00), a Colorado salary of $58,170 is roughly equivalent to $52,882 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Massachusetts ($71,300), California ($70,040), Oregon ($69,290) are the closest alternatives for Photographers weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Photographers salary in Colorado?

The average Photographers salary in Colorado is $58,170 per year (median $47,070), which is 5.0% above the national average of $55,410.

How does Colorado rank for Photographers pay?

Colorado ranks 7th out of 49 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($104,630/yr).

How much do entry-level Photographers make in Colorado?

The lowest-paid 10% of Photographers in Colorado earn about $36,440 per year and the 25th percentile is $38,730.

How much do Photographers make per hour in Colorado?

About $27.97 per hour, based on the $58,170 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Photographers work in Colorado?

BLS counts 1,140 Photographers jobs in Colorado (OEWS May 2025).

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