Photographers Salary in Columbia, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbia, SC

Median annual salary $34,220 -19.5% vs national
Median hourly $16.45
10th percentile $18,470
90th percentile $53,110
Employed locally 130
National median $42,520

Compare Photographers salary & buying power

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Photographers
in
Columbia, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $18,470
    25th
    $31,250
    50th (median)
    $34,220
    75th
    $48,420
    90th
    $53,110

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $66,146 2023 • Census ACS
    Photographers salary vs area income 52% Median Photographers salary is 48% 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
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $75,070
    Charleston-North Charleston, SC $48,340
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $46,500
    Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC $42,710
    Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA $41,600
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $41,090

    Related occupations in Columbia, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Public Relations Specialists $60,550
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers $35,140
    Coaches and Scouts $48,350
    Graphic Designers $49,730
    Producers and Directors $47,650
    Interior Designers $59,070

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Photographers make per hour in Columbia?

    The median hourly wage for Photographers in Columbia, SC is $16.45, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $27.94 or more per hour.

    Is Columbia above or below average for Photographers salaries?

    The median Photographers salary in Columbia, SC is 19.5% 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 Columbia?

    Entry-level Photographers (10th percentile) earn around $18,470 per year in Columbia, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $31,250.