Photographers Salary in Charlottesville, VA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Charlottesville, VA

Median annual salary $35,990 -15.4% vs national
Median hourly $17.30
10th percentile $30,120
90th percentile $68,530
Employed locally 70
National median $42,520

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Photographers
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Charlottesville, VA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $30,120
    25th
    $31,880
    50th (median)
    $35,990
    75th
    $49,100
    90th
    $68,530

    Charlottesville economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $90,552 2023 • Census ACS
    Photographers salary vs area income 40% Median Photographers salary is 60% 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
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $56,340
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $55,840
    Vallejo, CA $47,740
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $46,180
    Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA $43,850
    Richmond, VA $43,580

    Related occupations in Charlottesville, VA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Public Relations Specialists$75,030
    Coaches and Scouts$43,770
    Graphic Designers$59,170
    Editors$76,230
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers$36,410
    Audio and Video Technicians$53,540

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Photographers make per hour in Charlottesville?

    The median hourly wage for Photographers in Charlottesville, VA is $17.30, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $38.51 or more per hour.

    Is Charlottesville above or below average for Photographers salaries?

    The median Photographers salary in Charlottesville, VA is 15.4% 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 Charlottesville?

    Entry-level Photographers (10th percentile) earn around $30,120 per year in Charlottesville, VA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $31,880.