Photographers Pay Range in District of Columbia
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$46,080
- 25th Percentile — Junior$83,170
- 50th Percentile — Median$110,970
- 75th Percentile — Senior$125,220
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$148,360
Half of Photographers in District of Columbia earn more than $110,970. The top 10% make $148,360 or more, while entry-level workers start around $46,080.
Photographers in District of Columbia: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- District of Columbia ranks 1st of 49 states for Photographers pay, at $104,630 per year (88.8% above the U.S. average of $55,410).
- 260 people work as Photographers in District of Columbia — 0.5% of all U.S. Photographers jobs.
- Location quotient 1.13: Photographers jobs are more concentrated in District of Columbia than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $46,080; the top 10% earn over $148,360.
- Hourly equivalent: $50.3 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- Among creative jobs in District of Columbia, News Analysts Reporters and Journalists pays the most ($174,360).
Photographers Job Market in District of Columbia
Key factors affecting compensation
District of Columbia's key industries are Government, Finance, Technology, and its job market is rated very strong. Photographers here earn $104,630 on average, placing the state 1st nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.52 (U.S. = 1.00), a District of Columbia salary of $104,630 is roughly equivalent to $68,836 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, New York ($71,710), Massachusetts ($71,300), California ($70,040) 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 District of Columbia
Related career salary benchmarks
- News Analysts Reporters and Journalists $174,360/yr District of Columbia +66.6% vs this role
- Writers and Authors $128,890/yr District of Columbia +23.2% vs this role
- Public Relations Specialists $120,200/yr District of Columbia +14.9% vs this role
- Producers and Directors $115,040/yr District of Columbia +9.9% vs this role
- Editors $109,290/yr District of Columbia +4.5% vs this role
- Interior Designers $102,040/yr District of Columbia 2.5% vs this role
- Camera Operators Television Video Motion Picture $100,990/yr District of Columbia 3.5% vs this role
- Graphic Designers $94,630/yr District of Columbia 9.6% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Photographers salary in District of Columbia?
The average Photographers salary in District of Columbia is $104,630 per year (median $110,970), which is 88.8% above the national average of $55,410.
How does District of Columbia rank for Photographers pay?
District of Columbia ranks 1st out of 49 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($104,630/yr).
How much do entry-level Photographers make in District of Columbia?
The lowest-paid 10% of Photographers in District of Columbia earn about $46,080 per year and the 25th percentile is $83,170.
How much do Photographers make per hour in District of Columbia?
About $50.3 per hour, based on the $104,630 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Photographers work in District of Columbia?
BLS counts 260 Photographers jobs in District of Columbia (OEWS May 2025).
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