Photographers Pay Range in Montana
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$24,070
- 25th Percentile — Junior$28,910
- 50th Percentile — Median$39,900
- 75th Percentile — Senior$52,000
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$110,570
Half of Photographers in Montana earn more than $39,900. The top 10% make $110,570 or more, while entry-level workers start around $24,070.
Photographers in Montana: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Montana ranks 27th of 49 states for Photographers pay, at $49,120 per year (11.4% below the U.S. average of $55,410).
- 190 people work as Photographers in Montana — 0.4% of all U.S. Photographers jobs.
- Location quotient 1.09: Photographers jobs are more concentrated in Montana than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $24,070; the top 10% earn over $110,570.
- Hourly equivalent: $23.62 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $104,630.
- Among creative jobs in Montana, Art Directors pays the most ($70,850).
Photographers Job Market in Montana
Key factors affecting compensation
Montana's key industries are Agriculture, Tourism, Energy, and its job market is rated moderate. Photographers here earn $49,120 on average, placing the state 27th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.95 (U.S. = 1.00), a Montana salary of $49,120 is roughly equivalent to $51,705 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, New Hampshire ($49,740), Wisconsin ($49,640), Rhode Island ($49,440) 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 Montana
Related career salary benchmarks
- Art Directors $70,850/yr Montana +44.2% vs this role
- Editors $67,960/yr Montana +38.4% vs this role
- Public Relations Specialists $67,960/yr Montana +38.4% vs this role
- Interior Designers $63,500/yr Montana +29.3% vs this role
- Producers and Directors $63,490/yr Montana +29.3% vs this role
- Graphic Designers $61,670/yr Montana +25.5% vs this role
- News Analysts Reporters and Journalists $50,390/yr Montana +2.6% vs this role
- Camera Operators Television Video Motion Picture $47,260/yr Montana 3.8% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Photographers salary in Montana?
The average Photographers salary in Montana is $49,120 per year (median $39,900), which is 11.4% below the national average of $55,410.
How does Montana rank for Photographers pay?
Montana ranks 27th out of 49 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($104,630/yr).
How much do entry-level Photographers make in Montana?
The lowest-paid 10% of Photographers in Montana earn about $24,070 per year and the 25th percentile is $28,910.
How much do Photographers make per hour in Montana?
About $23.62 per hour, based on the $49,120 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Photographers work in Montana?
BLS counts 190 Photographers jobs in Montana (OEWS May 2025).
Related Salary Pages
Explore more salary data