Photographers Pay Range in Washington
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$37,440
- 25th Percentile — Junior$40,690
- 50th Percentile — Median$48,050
- 75th Percentile — Senior$65,450
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$83,200
Half of Photographers in Washington earn more than $48,050. The top 10% make $83,200 or more, while entry-level workers start around $37,440.
Photographers in Washington: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Washington ranks 12th of 49 states for Photographers pay, at $56,270 per year (1.6% above the U.S. average of $55,410).
- 960 people work as Photographers in Washington — 1.9% of all U.S. Photographers jobs.
- Location quotient 0.81: Photographers jobs are less concentrated in Washington than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $37,440; the top 10% earn over $83,200.
- Hourly equivalent: $27.05 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $104,630.
- Among creative jobs in Washington, Special Effects Artists and Animators pays the most ($141,450).
Photographers Job Market in Washington
Key factors affecting compensation
Washington's key industries are Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Photographers here earn $56,270 on average, placing the state 12th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.25 (U.S. = 1.00), a Washington salary of $56,270 is roughly equivalent to $45,016 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Maryland ($57,560), Georgia ($57,260), Connecticut ($57,250) 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 Washington
Related career salary benchmarks
- Special Effects Artists and Animators $141,450/yr Washington +151.4% vs this role
- Art Directors $130,550/yr Washington +132.0% vs this role
- Producers and Directors $98,990/yr Washington +75.9% vs this role
- Public Relations Specialists $95,030/yr Washington +68.9% vs this role
- Writers and Authors $90,740/yr Washington +61.3% vs this role
- Fashion Designers $90,130/yr Washington +60.2% vs this role
- Editors $83,960/yr Washington +49.2% vs this role
- Interior Designers $81,360/yr Washington +44.6% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Photographers salary in Washington?
The average Photographers salary in Washington is $56,270 per year (median $48,050), which is 1.6% above the national average of $55,410.
How does Washington rank for Photographers pay?
Washington ranks 12th out of 49 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($104,630/yr).
How much do entry-level Photographers make in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% of Photographers in Washington earn about $37,440 per year and the 25th percentile is $40,690.
How much do Photographers make per hour in Washington?
About $27.05 per hour, based on the $56,270 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Photographers work in Washington?
BLS counts 960 Photographers jobs in Washington (OEWS May 2025).
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