Photographers Pay Range in South Dakota
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$31,150
- 25th Percentile — Junior$35,090
- 50th Percentile — Median$45,330
- 75th Percentile — Senior$50,150
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$54,750
Half of Photographers in South Dakota earn more than $45,330. The top 10% make $54,750 or more, while entry-level workers start around $31,150.
Photographers in South Dakota: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- South Dakota ranks 39th of 49 states for Photographers pay, at $43,740 per year (21.1% below the U.S. average of $55,410).
- 190 people work as Photographers in South Dakota — 0.4% of all U.S. Photographers jobs.
- Location quotient 1.22: Photographers jobs are more concentrated in South Dakota than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $31,150; the top 10% earn over $54,750.
- Hourly equivalent: $21.03 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $104,630.
- Among creative jobs in South Dakota, Interior Designers pays the most ($74,170).
Photographers Job Market in South Dakota
Key factors affecting compensation
South Dakota's key industries are Agriculture, Finance, Tourism, and its job market is rated moderate. Photographers here earn $43,740 on average, placing the state 39th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.87 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Dakota salary of $43,740 is roughly equivalent to $50,276 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Wyoming ($44,960), South Carolina ($44,380), Kansas ($44,120) 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 South Dakota
Related career salary benchmarks
- Interior Designers $74,170/yr South Dakota +69.6% vs this role
- Public Relations Specialists $71,890/yr South Dakota +64.4% vs this role
- Art Directors $69,360/yr South Dakota +58.6% vs this role
- Producers and Directors $65,090/yr South Dakota +48.8% vs this role
- Editors $60,200/yr South Dakota +37.6% vs this role
- Writers and Authors $57,230/yr South Dakota +30.8% vs this role
- Graphic Designers $50,880/yr South Dakota +16.3% vs this role
- Camera Operators Television Video Motion Picture $50,620/yr South Dakota +15.7% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Photographers salary in South Dakota?
The average Photographers salary in South Dakota is $43,740 per year (median $45,330), which is 21.1% below the national average of $55,410.
How does South Dakota rank for Photographers pay?
South Dakota ranks 39th out of 49 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($104,630/yr).
How much do entry-level Photographers make in South Dakota?
The lowest-paid 10% of Photographers in South Dakota earn about $31,150 per year and the 25th percentile is $35,090.
How much do Photographers make per hour in South Dakota?
About $21.03 per hour, based on the $43,740 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Photographers work in South Dakota?
BLS counts 190 Photographers jobs in South Dakota (OEWS May 2025).
Related Salary Pages
Explore more salary data