Photographers Salary in Buffalo, NY

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY

Median annual salary $40,010 -5.9% vs national
Median hourly $19.24
10th percentile $32,970
90th percentile $78,330
Employed locally 130
National median $42,520

Compare Photographers salary & buying power

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Photographers
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Buffalo, NY
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $32,970
    25th
    $36,030
    50th (median)
    $40,010
    75th
    $51,550
    90th
    $78,330

    Buffalo economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $70,572 2023 • Census ACS
    Photographers salary vs area income 57% Median Photographers salary is 43% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Photographers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $110,530
    Rochester, MN $78,870
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $75,070
    Bend, OR $72,760
    Springfield, MA $64,880
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $63,340

    Nearby metros — Photographers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $60,270
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $46,180
    Rochester, NY $43,880
    Kingston, NY $42,960
    Syracuse, NY $42,840
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $41,090

    Related occupations in Buffalo, NY

    OccupationMedian salary
    Coaches and Scouts $48,440
    Public Relations Specialists $66,000
    Graphic Designers $56,850
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers $36,320
    Audio and Video Technicians $49,210
    Producers and Directors $77,240

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Photographers make per hour in Buffalo?

    The median hourly wage for Photographers in Buffalo, NY is $19.24, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $37.18 or more per hour.

    Is Buffalo above or below average for Photographers salaries?

    The median Photographers salary in Buffalo, NY is 5.9% below the national median of $42,520. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Photographers in Buffalo?

    Entry-level Photographers (10th percentile) earn around $32,970 per year in Buffalo, NY. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $36,030.