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Director of photography salary
Average director of photography salary
$105,236
Understanding the Director of Photography Salary
The average salary for a Director of Photography is approximately $105,236 per year, which corresponds to around $51 per hour. This position requires a blend of technical skill and artistic vision, playing a crucial role in the filmmaking process.
Factors impacting salary include geographical location, years of experience, and industry type. For instance, directors working in major metropolitan areas may earn significantly more than those in smaller markets. States like California and New York consistently rank among the highest-paying for this profession.
In addition to location, experience levels also greatly influence salary. Entry-level positions may start at lower rates, while seasoned professionals can command significantly higher compensation. Many Directors of Photography also have opportunities for advancement into higher managerial roles within production companies, which can further enhance earning potential.
Job Outlook and Opportunities
The demand for skilled Directors of Photography is growing, especially as the film and digital media industries expand. Professionals seeking roles in this field should consider networking and continuous skill development to remain competitive. Engaging with industry professionals and building a diverse portfolio can open doors to higher-paying positions.
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Where can a Director Of Photography earn more?
Director of photography salary estimates from across the web
Average director of photography salary by state
The average director of photography salary in Alaska, New York, and Michigan are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average director of photography salary states are Wyoming, Alabama, and Florida.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for directors of photography
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $121,568 | $58.45 |
| 2 | Texas | $117,261 | $56.38 |
| 3 | Alaska | $122,949 | $59.11 |
| 4 | Michigan | $120,518 | $57.94 |
| 5 | New Mexico | $119,257 | $57.34 |
| 6 | Montana | $103,358 | $49.69 |
| 7 | West Virginia | $96,222 | $46.26 |
| 8 | Arkansas | $108,335 | $52.08 |
| 9 | New Hampshire | $105,142 | $50.55 |
| 10 | Louisiana | $96,077 | $46.19 |
| 11 | Connecticut | $104,099 | $50.05 |
| 12 | Utah | $99,180 | $47.68 |
| 13 | Vermont | $104,554 | $50.27 |
| 14 | Massachusetts | $105,126 | $50.54 |
| 15 | North Dakota | $93,870 | $45.13 |
| 16 | South Dakota | $91,357 | $43.92 |
| 17 | Oregon | $99,265 | $47.72 |
| 18 | South Carolina | $91,865 | $44.17 |
| 19 | Mississippi | $91,334 | $43.91 |
| 20 | Ohio | $96,087 | $46.20 |
| 21 | Washington | $100,937 | $48.53 |
| 22 | Maine | $92,398 | $44.42 |
| 23 | Kentucky | $91,158 | $43.83 |
| 24 | New Jersey | $100,741 | $48.43 |
| 25 | Maryland | $101,378 | $48.74 |
| 26 | Pennsylvania | $90,492 | $43.51 |
| 27 | Idaho | $93,137 | $44.78 |
| 28 | California | $97,277 | $46.77 |
| 29 | Illinois | $91,776 | $44.12 |
| 30 | Arizona | $90,046 | $43.29 |
| 31 | Nevada | $89,847 | $43.20 |
| 32 | Wisconsin | $85,068 | $40.90 |
| 33 | Virginia | $88,286 | $42.45 |
| 34 | Iowa | $87,494 | $42.06 |
| 35 | Missouri | $86,368 | $41.52 |
| 36 | Colorado | $88,200 | $42.40 |
| 37 | North Carolina | $84,813 | $40.78 |
| 38 | Alabama | $81,198 | $39.04 |
| 39 | Indiana | $82,979 | $39.89 |
| 40 | Kansas | $84,799 | $40.77 |
| 41 | Nebraska | $85,224 | $40.97 |
| 42 | Hawaii | $88,773 | $42.68 |
| 43 | Rhode Island | $85,291 | $41.01 |
| 44 | Oklahoma | $71,365 | $34.31 |
| 45 | Minnesota | $83,474 | $40.13 |
| 46 | Wyoming | $81,732 | $39.29 |
| 47 | Florida | $79,491 | $38.22 |
| 48 | Delaware | $83,330 | $40.06 |
| 49 | District of Columbia | $82,102 | $39.47 |
| 50 | Tennessee | $73,071 | $35.13 |
| 51 | Georgia | $73,888 | $35.52 |
Highest paying cities for directors of photography
The highest-paying cities for directors of photography are New York, NY, Dallas, TX, and San Francisco, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $121,677 | $58.50 |
| 2 | Dallas, TX | $116,090 | $55.81 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $104,499 | $50.24 |
| 4 | Columbus, OH | $95,283 | $45.81 |
| 5 | Reno, NV | $94,287 | $45.33 |
| 6 | Alexandria, VA | $89,164 | $42.87 |
| 7 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $88,996 | $42.79 |
| 8 | Sanford, FL | $80,705 | $38.80 |
Director of photography salary details
A director of photography's salary ranges from $71,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $153,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a director of photography's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $153,000 | $12,750 | $74 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,000 | $10,667 | $62 |
| Average | $105,236 | $8,770 | $51 |
| 25th Percentile | $86,000 | $7,167 | $41 |
| 10th Percentile | $71,000 | $5,917 | $34 |
Highest paying director of photography jobs
The highest paying types of directors of photography are microfilm camera operator, title camera operator, and news camera person.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camera Operator | $43,609 | $3,634 | $20.97 | 26,006 |
| Producer Director | $54,924 | $4,577 | $26.41 | 13,931 |
Top companies hiring directors of photography now:
Which companies pay directors of photography the most?
Director of photography salaries at Gap Inc. and UMiami Health System are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average director of photography salary at companies like Ligonier Ministries and TEGNA are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gap Inc. | $99,281 | $47.73 |
| 2 | UMiami Health System | $95,398 | $45.86 |
| 3 | Ligonier Ministries | $94,545 | $45.45 |
| 4 | TEGNA | $86,935 | $41.80 |
| 5 | Gannett | $74,780 | $35.95 |
| 6 | University of California-Berkeley | $72,030 | $34.63 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Director of photography salary trends
The average director of photography salary has risen by $31,332 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average director of photography earned $73,904 annually, but today, they earn $105,236 a year. That works out to a 4% change in pay for directors of photography over the last decade.
Compare director of photography salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average director of photography salary over time
Compare director of photography salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Director of photography salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $105,000 | $50.59 | +3.6% |
| 2024 | $101,000 | $48.79 | +1.1% |
| 2023 | $100,000 | $48.27 | +1.9% |
| 2022 | $98,500 | $47.37 | -2.9% |
| 2021 | $101,000 | $48.72 | +10.9% |
Recently added director of photography salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conde Nast | Director of Photography, Wired | New York, NY | 04/28/2025 | $155,000 |
| Best Value Schools | Best 9 Online Bachelor's In Photography | Savannah, GA | 02/16/2025 | $29,428 |
| The Werk Howse, Inc. | Director of Photography | Beverly Hills, CA | 01/28/2025 | $156,000 |
| Cosmopolitan Magazine | Director of Photography, West Coast | Los Angeles, CA | 01/26/2025 | $93,000 |
| Cho Time LLC | Director of Photography/Cinematographer | Altadena, CA | 12/26/2024 | $85,000 |
| Hearst Communications | Director of Photography, West Coast | Los Angeles, CA | 11/28/2024 | $93,000 |
| Go To Team | Director of Photography Apprenticeship | Dallas, TX | 10/16/2024 | $35,500 |
| Best Value Schools | Best 9 Online Bachelor's In Photography | Savannah, GA | 09/25/2024 | $29,428 |
| Universal Music Group | Director, Photography | Philadelphia, PA | 09/10/2024 | $92,405 |
| Untitled Manifesto LLC | Director of Photography | Reno, NV | 08/12/2024 | $183,698 |
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