Photographers Pay Range in New York
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$37,890
- 25th Percentile — Junior$43,080
- 50th Percentile — Median$60,050
- 75th Percentile — Senior$93,620
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$109,470
Half of Photographers in New York earn more than $60,050. The top 10% make $109,470 or more, while entry-level workers start around $37,890.
Photographers in New York: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- New York ranks 2nd of 49 states for Photographers pay, at $71,710 per year (29.4% above the U.S. average of $55,410).
- 3,650 people work as Photographers in New York — 7.1% of all U.S. Photographers jobs.
- Location quotient 1.13: Photographers jobs are more concentrated in New York than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $37,890; the top 10% earn over $109,470.
- Hourly equivalent: $34.48 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $104,630.
- Among creative jobs in New York, News Analysts Reporters and Journalists pays the most ($251,110).
Photographers Job Market in New York
Key factors affecting compensation
New York's key industries are Finance, Technology, Media, and its job market is rated very strong. Photographers here earn $71,710 on average, placing the state 2nd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.38 (U.S. = 1.00), a New York salary of $71,710 is roughly equivalent to $51,964 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, District of Columbia ($104,630), 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 New York
Related career salary benchmarks
- News Analysts Reporters and Journalists $251,110/yr New York +250.2% vs this role
- Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys $182,810/yr New York +154.9% vs this role
- Art Directors $159,200/yr New York +122.0% vs this role
- Producers and Directors $134,810/yr New York +88.0% vs this role
- Editors $116,740/yr New York +62.8% vs this role
- Fashion Designers $111,740/yr New York +55.8% vs this role
- Special Effects Artists and Animators $110,760/yr New York +54.5% vs this role
- Camera Operators Television Video Motion Picture $99,080/yr New York +38.2% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Photographers salary in New York?
The average Photographers salary in New York is $71,710 per year (median $60,050), which is 29.4% above the national average of $55,410.
How does New York rank for Photographers pay?
New York ranks 2nd out of 49 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($104,630/yr).
How much do entry-level Photographers make in New York?
The lowest-paid 10% of Photographers in New York earn about $37,890 per year and the 25th percentile is $43,080.
How much do Photographers make per hour in New York?
About $34.48 per hour, based on the $71,710 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Photographers work in New York?
BLS counts 3,650 Photographers jobs in New York (OEWS May 2025).
Related Salary Pages
Explore more salary data