Estimate · based on BLS national data

Photographers in Michigan

$49,869 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$23.98 per hour

▼ 10.0% below U.S. average24th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: Estimate (BLS national × cost of living) Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$49,869per year
Median$40,194per year
Hourly$23.98per hour
10th – 90th percentile$30,483 – $76,019per year

Photographers Pay Range in Michigan

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$30,483
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$41,461
  • 50th Percentile — Median$40,194
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$66,162
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$76,019

Half of Photographers in Michigan earn more than $40,194. The top 10% make $76,019 or more, while entry-level workers start around $30,483.

Photographers in Michigan: Key Facts

Source: BLS national data adjusted for cost of living

  • Michigan ranks 24th of 51 states for Photographers pay, at $49,869 per year (10.0% below the U.S. average of $55,410).
  • 970 people work as Photographers in Michigan — 1.9% of all U.S. Photographers jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.66: Photographers jobs are less concentrated in Michigan than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $30,483; the top 10% earn over $76,019.
  • Hourly equivalent: $23.98 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $104,630.
  • Among creative jobs in Michigan, Special Effects Artists and Animators pays the most ($103,090).

Photographers Job Market in Michigan

Key factors affecting compensation

Michigan's key industries are Automotive, Healthcare, Technology, and its job market is rated moderate. Photographers here earn $49,869 on average, placing the state 24th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.9 (U.S. = 1.00), a Michigan salary of $49,869 is roughly equivalent to $55,410 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Delaware ($51,040), Illinois ($50,600), Alaska ($50,090) 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 Michigan?

The average Photographers salary in Michigan is $49,869 per year (median $40,194), which is 10.0% below the national average of $55,410.

How does Michigan rank for Photographers pay?

Michigan ranks 24th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($104,630/yr).

How much do entry-level Photographers make in Michigan?

The lowest-paid 10% of Photographers in Michigan earn about $30,483 per year and the 25th percentile is $41,461.

How much do Photographers make per hour in Michigan?

About $23.98 per hour, based on the $49,869 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Photographers work in Michigan?

BLS counts 970 Photographers jobs in Michigan (OEWS May 2025).

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