Photographers Salary in Columbus, OH

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbus, OH

Median annual salary $38,620 -9.2% vs national
Median hourly $18.57
10th percentile $31,310
90th percentile $75,120
Employed locally 280
National median $42,520

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Photographers
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Columbus, OH
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $31,310
    25th
    $33,140
    50th (median)
    $38,620
    75th
    $51,840
    90th
    $75,120

    Columbus economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $79,847 2023 • Census ACS
    Photographers salary vs area income 48% Median Photographers salary is 52% 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
    West Northwestern Ohio nonmetropolitan area $37,330
    Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH $36,980
    Eastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area $36,960
    Canton-Massillon, OH $36,150
    Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $35,810
    Toledo, OH $35,000

    Related occupations in Columbus, OH

    OccupationMedian salary
    Coaches and Scouts $43,620
    Public Relations Specialists $73,090
    Graphic Designers $61,410
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers $38,280
    Interior Designers $61,370
    Interpreters and Translators $60,010

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Photographers make per hour in Columbus?

    The median hourly wage for Photographers in Columbus, OH is $18.57, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $39.97 or more per hour.

    Is Columbus above or below average for Photographers salaries?

    The median Photographers salary in Columbus, OH is 9.2% 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 Columbus?

    Entry-level Photographers (10th percentile) earn around $31,310 per year in Columbus, OH. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $33,140.