BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Photographers in Tennessee

$44,060 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$21.18 per hour

▼ 20.5% below U.S. average38th of 49 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$44,060per year
Median$37,950per year
Hourly$21.18per hour
10th – 90th percentile$28,820 – $67,060per year

Photographers Pay Range in Tennessee

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$28,820
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$32,780
  • 50th Percentile — Median$37,950
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$51,540
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$67,060

Half of Photographers in Tennessee earn more than $37,950. The top 10% make $67,060 or more, while entry-level workers start around $28,820.

Photographers in Tennessee: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Tennessee ranks 38th of 49 states for Photographers pay, at $44,060 per year (20.5% below the U.S. average of $55,410).
  • 780 people work as Photographers in Tennessee — 1.5% of all U.S. Photographers jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.71: Photographers jobs are less concentrated in Tennessee than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $28,820; the top 10% earn over $67,060.
  • Hourly equivalent: $21.18 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $104,630.
  • Among creative jobs in Tennessee, Art Directors pays the most ($108,720).

Photographers Job Market in Tennessee

Key factors affecting compensation

Tennessee's key industries are Healthcare, Manufacturing, Tourism, and its job market is rated strong. Photographers here earn $44,060 on average, placing the state 38th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a Tennessee salary of $44,060 is roughly equivalent to $50,068 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, North Dakota ($45,730), Wyoming ($44,960), South Carolina ($44,380) 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 Tennessee?

The average Photographers salary in Tennessee is $44,060 per year (median $37,950), which is 20.5% below the national average of $55,410.

How does Tennessee rank for Photographers pay?

Tennessee ranks 38th out of 49 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($104,630/yr).

How much do entry-level Photographers make in Tennessee?

The lowest-paid 10% of Photographers in Tennessee earn about $28,820 per year and the 25th percentile is $32,780.

How much do Photographers make per hour in Tennessee?

About $21.18 per hour, based on the $44,060 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Photographers work in Tennessee?

BLS counts 780 Photographers jobs in Tennessee (OEWS May 2025).

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