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Commercial photographer salary
Average commercial photographer salary
$37,027
Average Commercial Photographer Salary Overview
The average salary for a commercial photographer in the United States is around $37,027 per year or $18 per hour. This figure can fluctuate based on various factors such as experience, geographic location, and the specific industry in which the photographer operates. For instance, photographers in metropolitan areas often earn more due to higher demand and living costs.
Factors Influencing Salary
Experience plays a crucial role in determining salary levels. Entry-level photographers typically start at a lower range, but as they build a portfolio and client base, their earnings can increase significantly. Additionally, specialized skills, such as expertise in product photography or high-end fashion shoots, can lead to higher pay.
Highest Paying States
Some states offer more lucrative opportunities for commercial photographers. For example, photographers in California and New York often command higher salaries due to the concentration of businesses requiring professional photography services. Researching specific regions can help aspiring photographers identify the best locations for high-paying positions.
Career Opportunities
Commercial photographers can also explore various industries, including advertising, fashion, and real estate, each offering different salary ranges. By understanding these dynamics, photographers can strategically position themselves to maximize their earning potential.
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Where can a Commercial Photographer earn more?
Commercial photographer salary estimates from across the web
Average commercial photographer salary by state
The highest-paying states for commercial photographers are New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. The lowest average commercial photographer salary states are Florida, Oklahoma, and North Carolina.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for commercial photographers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connecticut | $45,342 | $21.80 |
| 2 | Massachusetts | $45,685 | $21.96 |
| 3 | New York | $53,456 | $25.70 |
| 4 | West Virginia | $41,910 | $20.15 |
| 5 | Utah | $37,743 | $18.15 |
| 6 | California | $42,865 | $20.61 |
| 7 | Illinois | $36,574 | $17.58 |
| 8 | Kentucky | $35,424 | $17.03 |
| 9 | Arkansas | $32,795 | $15.77 |
| 10 | New Hampshire | $39,505 | $18.99 |
| 11 | Minnesota | $38,827 | $18.67 |
| 12 | New Jersey | $40,873 | $19.65 |
| 13 | Vermont | $40,540 | $19.49 |
| 14 | Wyoming | $35,754 | $17.19 |
| 15 | Alaska | $38,392 | $18.46 |
| 16 | Virginia | $39,909 | $19.19 |
| 17 | Pennsylvania | $36,440 | $17.52 |
| 18 | Alabama | $31,527 | $15.16 |
| 19 | Idaho | $33,144 | $15.93 |
| 20 | Texas | $34,399 | $16.54 |
| 21 | North Dakota | $34,147 | $16.42 |
| 22 | Maryland | $40,959 | $19.69 |
| 23 | New Mexico | $35,848 | $17.23 |
| 24 | Maine | $36,677 | $17.63 |
| 25 | Wisconsin | $34,389 | $16.53 |
| 26 | Ohio | $31,879 | $15.33 |
| 27 | Tennessee | $31,284 | $15.04 |
| 28 | Indiana | $30,300 | $14.57 |
| 29 | Kansas | $32,179 | $15.47 |
| 30 | Washington | $34,048 | $16.37 |
| 31 | Mississippi | $30,700 | $14.76 |
| 32 | Georgia | $30,921 | $14.87 |
| 33 | Arizona | $31,139 | $14.97 |
| 34 | Delaware | $30,413 | $14.62 |
| 35 | Colorado | $33,420 | $16.07 |
| 36 | Michigan | $31,511 | $15.15 |
| 37 | Oregon | $31,572 | $15.18 |
| 38 | Louisiana | $28,124 | $13.52 |
| 39 | South Dakota | $30,407 | $14.62 |
| 40 | Hawaii | $30,665 | $14.74 |
| 41 | South Carolina | $28,195 | $13.56 |
| 42 | Florida | $26,963 | $12.96 |
| 43 | Montana | $30,506 | $14.67 |
| 44 | Nebraska | $31,039 | $14.92 |
| 45 | District of Columbia | $29,236 | $14.06 |
| 46 | Iowa | $22,861 | $10.99 |
| 47 | North Carolina | $25,259 | $12.14 |
| 48 | Oklahoma | $26,131 | $12.56 |
| 49 | Rhode Island | $27,394 | $13.17 |
| 50 | Missouri | $23,134 | $11.12 |
| 51 | Nevada | $24,305 | $11.69 |
Highest paying cities for commercial photographers
The highest-paying cities for commercial photographers are New York, NY, Islandia, NY, and Santa Barbara, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $53,956 | $25.94 |
| 2 | Islandia, NY | $53,482 | $25.71 |
| 3 | Santa Barbara, CA | $44,061 | $21.18 |
| 4 | Leesburg, VA | $42,676 | $20.52 |
| 5 | Los Angeles, CA | $42,493 | $20.43 |
| 6 | Fort Lee, NJ | $40,330 | $19.39 |
| 7 | Elk Grove Village, IL | $36,913 | $17.75 |
| 8 | Phoenix, AZ | $31,309 | $15.05 |
Commercial photographer salary details
A commercial photographer's salary ranges from $23,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $59,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a commercial photographer's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $59,000 | $4,917 | $28 |
| 75th Percentile | $47,000 | $3,917 | $23 |
| Average | $37,027 | $3,086 | $18 |
| 25th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $23,000 | $1,917 | $11 |
Highest paying commercial photographer jobs
The highest paying types of commercial photographers are school photographer, photography assistant, and assistant manager and photographer.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Photography Internship | $67,376 | $5,615 | $32.39 | 52,675 |
| Photographer, Editor | $51,131 | $4,261 | $24.58 | 11,039 |
| Freelance Photographer | $42,949 | $3,579 | $20.65 | 1,766 |
| Events Photographer | $36,327 | $3,027 | $17.46 | 7,683 |
| Owner/Photographer | $39,992 | $3,333 | $19.23 | 47,716 |
| Photographer | $33,968 | $2,831 | $16.33 | 1,772 |
Top companies hiring commercial photographers now:
Which companies pay commercial photographers the most?
Commercial photographer salaries at Armedia and B & B Co. are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average commercial photographer salary at companies like The E.W. Scripps Company and Opus Corporation are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Armedia | $96,663 | $46.47 |
| 2 | B & B Co. | $36,172 | $17.39 |
| 3 | The E.W. Scripps Company | $34,886 | $16.77 |
| 4 | Opus Corporation | $33,098 | $15.91 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Commercial Photographer salary by industry
The average commercial photographer salary varies across industries:
- The average commercial photographer salary in the utilities industry is $46,473, the highest of any industry.
- The average commercial photographer salary in the finance industry is $41,945.
- Commercial photographers in the retail industry earn an average salary of $34,095, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for commercial photographers
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Utilities | $46,473 | $22.34 |
| 2 | Technology | $41,945 | $20.17 |
| 3 | Professional | $40,996 | $19.71 |
| 4 | Non Profits | $38,712 | $18.61 |
| 5 | Media | $35,936 | $17.28 |
| 6 | Manufacturing | $35,829 | $17.23 |
| 7 | Retail | $34,095 | $16.39 |
High paying commercial photographer jobs
Commercial photographer salary trends
The average commercial photographer salary has risen by $11,141 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average commercial photographer earned $25,886 annually, but today, they earn $37,027 a year. That works out to a 21% change in pay for commercial photographers over the last decade.
Compare commercial photographer salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average commercial photographer salary over time
Compare commercial photographer salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Commercial photographer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $37,000 | $17.80 | +12.1% |
| 2024 | $32,500 | $15.65 | +6.3% |
| 2023 | $30,500 | $14.66 | +4.4% |
| 2022 | $29,100 | $14.01 | -4.9% |
| 2021 | $30,600 | $14.69 | +6.9% |
Recently added commercial photographer salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fashion and Ecomm | On Site Apparel/Commercial Photographer | Los Angeles, CA | 04/03/2024 | $68,000 |
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