Photographers Salary in California
BLS OEWS May 2025 • 15 metro areas • California
Photographers in California earn a median salary of $49,435 per year on average across 15 metro and nonmetro areas, +16.3% vs the national median of $42,520. An estimated 6,780 photographers are employed across California, with salaries ranging from $39,350 to $75,070 depending on location.
$49,435
Avg median salary in California
$75,070
Highest paying metro
$39,350
Lowest paying metro
6,780
Employed in California
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Photographers salaries by city in California
| Metro area | Median salary | 25th pct | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $75,070 | $50,200 | $115,980 | 980 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $60,910 | $43,910 | $77,280 | 50 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $60,250 | $37,690 | $100,190 | 3,550 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $55,900 | $43,860 | $79,200 | 40 |
| Vallejo, CA | $47,740 | $38,840 | $60,000 | 70 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $46,500 | $38,880 | $60,820 | 40 |
| San Jose, CA | $46,180 | $41,060 | $69,210 | 230 |
| Stockton, CA | $45,880 | $38,740 | $59,880 | 30 |
| Oxnard, CA | $45,230 | $37,370 | $59,130 | 100 |
| Sacramento, CA | $44,740 | $38,570 | $61,270 | 310 |
| Modesto, CA | $44,240 | $38,710 | $52,960 | 50 |
| San Diego, CA | $43,870 | $35,050 | $60,360 | 660 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $43,630 | $36,960 | $60,100 | 50 |
| Riverside, CA | $42,030 | $37,300 | $56,990 | 490 |
| Fresno, CA | $39,350 | $33,850 | $59,570 | 130 |