Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Lead photographer salary
Average lead photographer salary
$35,976
Understanding Lead Photographer Salaries
The average salary for a Lead Photographer is approximately $35,976 per year, translating to about $17 per hour. Salaries can vary significantly based on location, years of experience, and the specific industry. For instance, Lead Photographers in high-demand areas typically earn more than those in smaller markets.
Factors Influencing Salary
Several factors influence salary levels, including:
- Geographic Location: States like California and New York often offer higher pay due to cost of living and demand for photographers.
- Experience: More experienced photographers may command higher salaries, showcasing their advanced skills and portfolio.
- Industry: Photographers working in the corporate sector or specialized fields like fashion or advertising often see better compensation.
Job Opportunities
As a Lead Photographer, you can find opportunities in various sectors, from event photography to commercial projects. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for making informed career decisions. Utilize resources like Zippia to explore job openings and salary trends tailored to your location and expertise.
Let Zippia find your next lead photographer job
Let Zippia find your next lead photographer job
Where can a Lead Photographer earn more?
Lead photographer salary estimates from across the web
Average lead photographer salary by state
The highest-paying states for lead photographers are New York, Connecticut, and California. The lowest average lead photographer salary states are Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Florida.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for lead photographers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Utah | $38,249 | $18.39 |
| 2 | New Hampshire | $39,404 | $18.94 |
| 3 | Alaska | $40,140 | $19.30 |
| 4 | Wyoming | $36,481 | $17.54 |
| 5 | Connecticut | $43,991 | $21.15 |
| 6 | New York | $60,660 | $29.16 |
| 7 | Vermont | $40,792 | $19.61 |
| 8 | West Virginia | $40,932 | $19.68 |
| 9 | Kentucky | $35,408 | $17.02 |
| 10 | California | $43,602 | $20.96 |
| 11 | Massachusetts | $42,719 | $20.54 |
| 12 | Minnesota | $40,168 | $19.31 |
| 13 | Pennsylvania | $34,782 | $16.72 |
| 14 | Illinois | $37,603 | $18.08 |
| 15 | New Mexico | $35,357 | $17.00 |
| 16 | Idaho | $34,116 | $16.40 |
| 17 | New Jersey | $39,113 | $18.80 |
| 18 | Arkansas | $32,593 | $15.67 |
| 19 | Maryland | $38,765 | $18.64 |
| 20 | Maine | $36,748 | $17.67 |
| 21 | Ohio | $31,371 | $15.08 |
| 22 | Virginia | $37,573 | $18.06 |
| 23 | Kansas | $32,484 | $15.62 |
| 24 | Wisconsin | $34,644 | $16.66 |
| 25 | North Dakota | $35,352 | $17.00 |
| 26 | Michigan | $31,057 | $14.93 |
| 27 | Tennessee | $31,099 | $14.95 |
| 28 | Washington | $35,639 | $17.13 |
| 29 | South Dakota | $31,281 | $15.04 |
| 30 | Montana | $31,418 | $15.10 |
| 31 | Nebraska | $31,559 | $15.17 |
| 32 | Texas | $33,038 | $15.88 |
| 33 | Oregon | $32,491 | $15.62 |
| 34 | Alabama | $30,813 | $14.81 |
| 35 | Colorado | $34,603 | $16.64 |
| 36 | Hawaii | $30,244 | $14.54 |
| 37 | Rhode Island | $26,961 | $12.96 |
| 38 | Arizona | $30,344 | $14.59 |
| 39 | Mississippi | $29,825 | $14.34 |
| 40 | District of Columbia | $27,583 | $13.26 |
| 41 | Nevada | $23,840 | $11.46 |
| 42 | Indiana | $30,188 | $14.51 |
| 43 | Oklahoma | $25,965 | $12.48 |
| 44 | Georgia | $30,422 | $14.63 |
| 45 | North Carolina | $27,891 | $13.41 |
| 46 | South Carolina | $27,757 | $13.34 |
| 47 | Delaware | $28,748 | $13.82 |
| 48 | Missouri | $23,345 | $11.22 |
| 49 | Florida | $24,454 | $11.76 |
| 50 | Louisiana | $26,946 | $12.95 |
| 51 | Iowa | $23,199 | $11.15 |
Highest paying cities for lead photographers
The highest-paying cities for lead photographers are Syracuse, NY, Sacramento, CA, and Minneapolis, MN.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Syracuse, NY | $56,230 | $27.03 |
| 2 | Sacramento, CA | $45,126 | $21.70 |
| 3 | Minneapolis, MN | $40,174 | $19.31 |
| 4 | Baltimore, MD | $39,013 | $18.76 |
| 5 | Canton, OH | $33,294 | $16.01 |
| 6 | Scottsdale, AZ | $30,457 | $14.64 |
| 7 | Tallahassee, FL | $24,910 | $11.98 |
| 8 | Las Vegas, NV | $23,761 | $11.42 |
Lead photographer salary details
A lead photographer's salary ranges from $22,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $57,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a lead photographer's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $57,000 | $4,750 | $27 |
| 75th Percentile | $45,000 | $3,750 | $22 |
| Average | $35,976 | $2,998 | $17 |
| 25th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $22,000 | $1,833 | $11 |
Highest paying lead photographer jobs
The highest paying types of lead 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 |
| Sports Photographer | $27,958 | $2,330 | $13.44 | 6,917 |
| School Photographer | $98,357 | $8,196 | $47.29 | 25,482 |
| Portrait Photographer | $27,728 | $2,311 | $13.33 | 1,707 |
| Owner/Photographer | $39,992 | $3,333 | $19.23 | 47,716 |
Top companies hiring lead photographers now:
Which companies pay lead photographers the most?
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Syracuse University | $52,271 | $25.13 |
| 2 | Target | $38,816 | $18.66 |
| 3 | Magic Memories | $35,633 | $17.13 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Lead Photographer salary by industry
The average lead photographer salary varies across industries:
- The average lead photographer salary in the manufacturing industry is $39,400, the highest of any industry.
- The average lead photographer salary in the finance industry is $37,056.
- Lead photographers in the automotive industry earn an average salary of $34,619, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for lead photographers
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manufacturing | $39,400 | $18.94 |
| 2 | Professional | $37,056 | $17.82 |
| 3 | Retail | $35,653 | $17.14 |
| 4 | Start-up | $35,521 | $17.08 |
| 5 | Media | $34,956 | $16.81 |
| 6 | Education | $34,786 | $16.72 |
| 7 | Automotive | $34,619 | $16.64 |
High paying lead photographer jobs
Lead photographer salary trends
The average lead photographer salary has risen by $10,824 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average lead photographer earned $25,152 annually, but today, they earn $35,976 a year. That works out to a 21% change in pay for lead photographers over the last decade.
Compare lead photographer salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average lead photographer salary over time
Compare lead photographer salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Lead photographer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $36,000 | $17.30 | +12.1% |
| 2025 | $31,600 | $15.20 | +6.3% |
| 2024 | $29,600 | $14.25 | +4.4% |
| 2023 | $28,300 | $13.61 | -4.9% |
| 2022 | $29,700 | $14.28 | +6.9% |
Recently added lead photographer salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inter-State Studio & Publishing Co | Lead Photographer | Reynoldsburg, OH | 06/20/2025 | $37,566 |
| Haddad Brands | E-Commerce Flats Photographer Lead | New York, NY | 05/12/2025 | $60,000 |
| YMCA Twin Cities | Art and Crafts Lead/Photographer (Overnight Camp ST. Croix) | Hudson, WI | 04/11/2025 | $22,696 |
| Sharpshooter Imaging | Lead Retail Sales Photographer-SEA Life Grapevine Aquarium or Legoland Discovery Center | Grapevine, TX | 03/25/2025 | $29,740 |
| 310 Nutrition | Tiktok Creator Studio Lead Videographer/Photographer | Knoxville, TN | 02/16/2025 | $55,000 |
| Inter-State Studio & Publishing Co | Lead Photographer | Reynoldsburg, OH | 01/13/2025 | $37,566 |
| Boomn LLC | Lead Photographer | Overland Park, KS | 12/20/2024 | $60,000 |
| Pix for My Wall | Lead Photographer | Miami, FL | 12/12/2024 | $43,827 |
| Nuby Happy Hands Teething Mitten | Lead Photographer | Monroe, LA | 10/24/2024 | $50,000 |
| Magic Memories Group | Lead Retail Sales Photographer-Grand Canyon Railway Polar Express | Tucson, AZ | 10/15/2024 | $33,392 |
Lead photographer salary FAQs
Search for lead photographer jobs