Best cities for a lead photographer
The best cities for lead photographers are Hempstead, NY, New York, NY, and Islip, NY, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for lead photographers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for lead photographers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a lead photographer or considering a move, this list of the best cities for lead photographers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for lead photographers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a lead photographer. While the absolute best city for lead photographers is Hempstead, NY, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for lead photographers in 2024.
If you're looking for a lead photographer job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for lead photographers in 2026
1. Hempstead, NY
Total lead photographer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $61,159 Lowest 10 percent warn: $33,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $110,000 Location quotient: 0.00 2. New York, NY
Total lead photographer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $61,107 Lowest 10 percent warn: $33,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $110,000 Location quotient: 0.00 3. Islip, NY
Total lead photographer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $60,942 Lowest 10 percent warn: $33,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $109,000 Location quotient: 0.00 4. Lexington, KY
Total lead photographer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $35,856 Lowest 10 percent warn: $22,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $56,000 Location quotient: 0.00 5. Oyster Bay, NY
Total lead photographer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $60,829 Lowest 10 percent warn: $33,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $109,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. Saint Paul, MN
Total lead photographer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $40,211 Lowest 10 percent warn: $27,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $59,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. Brookhaven, NY
Total lead photographer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $60,551 Lowest 10 percent warn: $33,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $108,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Minneapolis, MN
Total lead photographer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $40,174 Lowest 10 percent warn: $27,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $59,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Louisville, KY
Total lead photographer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $35,322 Lowest 10 percent warn: $22,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $54,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. San Francisco, CA
Total lead photographer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $46,241 Lowest 10 percent warn: $27,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $78,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for lead photographers
- Hempstead, NY
- New York, NY
- Islip, NY
- Lexington, KY
- Oyster Bay, NY
- Saint Paul, MN
- Brookhaven, NY
- Minneapolis, MN
- Louisville, KY
- San Francisco, CA
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Detailed list of the best cities for a lead photographer
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hempstead, NY | $61,159 | $33,000 | 759,757 | - |
| 2 | New York, NY | $61,107 | $33,000 | 8,537,673 | - |
| 3 | Islip, NY | $60,942 | $33,000 | 335,543 | - |
| 4 | Lexington, KY | $35,856 | $22,000 | 318,449 | - |
| 5 | Oyster Bay, NY | $60,829 | $33,000 | 293,214 | - |
| 6 | Saint Paul, MN | $40,211 | $27,000 | 302,398 | - |
| 7 | Brookhaven, NY | $60,551 | $33,000 | 486,040 | - |
| 8 | Minneapolis, MN | $40,174 | $27,000 | 413,651 | - |
| 9 | Louisville, KY | $35,322 | $22,000 | 597,337 | - |
| 10 | San Francisco, CA | $46,241 | $27,000 | 870,887 | - |
| 11 | Boston, MA | $42,514 | $24,000 | 673,184 | - |
| 12 | Buffalo, NY | $56,979 | $32,000 | 256,902 | - |
| 13 | Oakland, CA | $46,102 | $27,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 14 | San Jose, CA | $46,025 | $27,000 | 1,025,350 | - |
| 15 | Philadelphia, PA | $35,287 | $19,000 | 1,567,872 | - |
| 16 | Fremont, CA | $46,016 | $27,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 17 | Stockton, CA | $45,384 | $27,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 18 | Cleveland, OH | $33,585 | $19,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 19 | Sacramento, CA | $45,126 | $27,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 20 | Anchorage, AK | $40,358 | $29,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 21 | Milwaukee, WI | $34,853 | $22,000 | 595,047 | - |
| 22 | El Paso, TX | $35,128 | $22,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 23 | Madison, WI | $33,865 | $21,000 | 252,551 | - |
| 24 | Fresno, CA | $44,812 | $26,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 25 | Chicago, IL | $37,974 | $24,000 | 2,704,958 | - |
| 26 | Bakersfield, CA | $44,427 | $26,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 27 | Lubbock, TX | $34,511 | $22,000 | 252,506 | - |
| 28 | Long Beach, CA | $42,822 | $25,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 29 | Anaheim, CA | $42,690 | $25,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 30 | Jersey City, NJ | $39,006 | $21,000 | 264,152 | - |
| 31 | Toledo, OH | $32,009 | $19,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 32 | Los Angeles, CA | $43,233 | $26,000 | 3,976,322 | - |
| 33 | Newark, NJ | $38,978 | $21,000 | 281,764 | - |
| 34 | Albuquerque, NM | $35,540 | $23,000 | 559,277 | - |
| 35 | Santa Ana, CA | $42,568 | $25,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 36 | Irvine, CA | $42,432 | $25,000 | 266,122 | - |
| 37 | Riverside, CA | $42,397 | $25,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 38 | Fort Wayne, IN | $32,161 | $19,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 39 | Fort Worth, TX | $33,526 | $22,000 | 854,113 | - |
| 40 | Arlington, TX | $33,477 | $22,000 | 392,772 | - |
| 41 | Irving, TX | $33,440 | $22,000 | 238,289 | - |
| 42 | Dallas, TX | $33,409 | $22,000 | 1,317,929 | - |
| 43 | Nashville, TN | $31,284 | $20,000 | 660,388 | - |
| 44 | Plano, TX | $33,361 | $22,000 | 286,057 | - |
| 45 | Garland, TX | $33,359 | $22,000 | 234,943 | - |
| 46 | Pittsburgh, PA | $32,528 | $18,000 | 303,625 | - |
| 47 | Wichita, KS | $32,224 | $22,000 | 389,902 | - |
| 48 | Virginia Beach, VA | $37,054 | $21,000 | 452,602 | - |
| 49 | Austin, TX | $32,957 | $21,000 | 947,890 | - |
| 50 | Baltimore, MD | $39,013 | $21,000 | 614,664 | 4 |
Highest paying cities for lead photographers
| Rank | City | Avg. lead photographer salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Syracuse, NY | $56,230 |
| 2 | Sacramento, CA | $45,126 |
| 3 | Minneapolis, MN | $40,174 |
| 4 | Baltimore, MD | $39,013 |
| 5 | Canton, OH | $33,294 |
| 6 | Scottsdale, AZ | $30,457 |
| 7 | Tallahassee, FL | $24,910 |
| 8 | Las Vegas, NV | $23,761 |