Photographers Pay Range in Virginia
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$31,200
- 25th Percentile — Junior$35,640
- 50th Percentile — Median$46,550
- 75th Percentile — Senior$55,800
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$91,060
Half of Photographers in Virginia earn more than $46,550. The top 10% make $91,060 or more, while entry-level workers start around $31,200.
Photographers in Virginia: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Virginia ranks 15th of 49 states for Photographers pay, at $52,640 per year (5.0% below the U.S. average of $55,410).
- 1,580 people work as Photographers in Virginia — 3.1% of all U.S. Photographers jobs.
- Location quotient 1.15: Photographers jobs are more concentrated in Virginia than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $31,200; the top 10% earn over $91,060.
- Hourly equivalent: $25.31 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $104,630.
- Among creative jobs in Virginia, Art Directors pays the most ($107,540).
Photographers Job Market in Virginia
Key factors affecting compensation
Virginia's key industries are Government, Technology, Defense, and its job market is rated very strong. Photographers here earn $52,640 on average, placing the state 15th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.1 (U.S. = 1.00), a Virginia salary of $52,640 is roughly equivalent to $47,855 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Hawaii ($57,030), Washington ($56,270), Minnesota ($56,220) 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 Virginia
Related career salary benchmarks
- Art Directors $107,540/yr Virginia +104.3% vs this role
- Public Relations Specialists $92,860/yr Virginia +76.4% vs this role
- Special Effects Artists and Animators $89,750/yr Virginia +70.5% vs this role
- Editors $89,740/yr Virginia +70.5% vs this role
- Writers and Authors $88,260/yr Virginia +67.7% vs this role
- Fashion Designers $87,480/yr Virginia +66.2% vs this role
- News Analysts Reporters and Journalists $76,820/yr Virginia +45.9% vs this role
- Graphic Designers $76,670/yr Virginia +45.6% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Photographers salary in Virginia?
The average Photographers salary in Virginia is $52,640 per year (median $46,550), which is 5.0% below the national average of $55,410.
How does Virginia rank for Photographers pay?
Virginia ranks 15th out of 49 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($104,630/yr).
How much do entry-level Photographers make in Virginia?
The lowest-paid 10% of Photographers in Virginia earn about $31,200 per year and the 25th percentile is $35,640.
How much do Photographers make per hour in Virginia?
About $25.31 per hour, based on the $52,640 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Photographers work in Virginia?
BLS counts 1,580 Photographers jobs in Virginia (OEWS May 2025).
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