Photographers Pay Range in Iowa
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$15,080
- 25th Percentile — Junior$23,670
- 50th Percentile — Median$38,290
- 75th Percentile — Senior$49,440
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$77,830
Half of Photographers in Iowa earn more than $38,290. The top 10% make $77,830 or more, while entry-level workers start around $15,080.
Photographers in Iowa: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Iowa ranks 43rd of 49 states for Photographers pay, at $42,860 per year (22.6% below the U.S. average of $55,410).
- 430 people work as Photographers in Iowa — 0.8% of all U.S. Photographers jobs.
- Location quotient 0.83: Photographers jobs are less concentrated in Iowa than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $15,080; the top 10% earn over $77,830.
- Hourly equivalent: $20.61 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $104,630.
- Among creative jobs in Iowa, Art Directors pays the most ($91,220).
Photographers Job Market in Iowa
Key factors affecting compensation
Iowa's key industries are Agriculture, Manufacturing, Finance, and its job market is rated moderate. Photographers here earn $42,860 on average, placing the state 43rd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.86 (U.S. = 1.00), a Iowa salary of $42,860 is roughly equivalent to $49,837 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, South Dakota ($43,740), Texas ($43,720), Louisiana ($43,530) 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 Iowa
Related career salary benchmarks
- Art Directors $91,220/yr Iowa +112.8% vs this role
- Interior Designers $68,360/yr Iowa +59.5% vs this role
- Public Relations Specialists $68,340/yr Iowa +59.4% vs this role
- Editors $67,790/yr Iowa +58.2% vs this role
- Producers and Directors $64,710/yr Iowa +51.0% vs this role
- Writers and Authors $62,780/yr Iowa +46.5% vs this role
- Special Effects Artists and Animators $59,740/yr Iowa +39.4% vs this role
- Camera Operators Television Video Motion Picture $58,250/yr Iowa +35.9% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Photographers salary in Iowa?
The average Photographers salary in Iowa is $42,860 per year (median $38,290), which is 22.6% below the national average of $55,410.
How does Iowa rank for Photographers pay?
Iowa ranks 43rd out of 49 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($104,630/yr).
How much do entry-level Photographers make in Iowa?
The lowest-paid 10% of Photographers in Iowa earn about $15,080 per year and the 25th percentile is $23,670.
How much do Photographers make per hour in Iowa?
About $20.61 per hour, based on the $42,860 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Photographers work in Iowa?
BLS counts 430 Photographers jobs in Iowa (OEWS May 2025).
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