Photographers Salary in Durham, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

Median annual salary $39,070 -8.1% vs national
Median hourly $18.79
10th percentile $29,990
90th percentile $70,290
Employed locally 180
National median $42,520

Compare Photographers salary & buying power

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Photographers
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Durham, NC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $29,990
    25th
    $34,840
    50th (median)
    $39,070
    75th
    $57,060
    90th
    $70,290

    Durham economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $81,017 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
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $75,070
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $55,840
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $49,770
    Manchester-Nashua, NH $48,470
    Greensboro-High Point, NC $48,290
    Trenton-Princeton, NJ $48,250

    Related occupations in Durham, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Public Relations Specialists$65,860
    Coaches and Scouts$58,810
    Graphic Designers$60,310
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers$33,450
    Technical Writers$100,660
    Editors$80,820

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Photographers make per hour in Durham?

    The median hourly wage for Photographers in Durham, NC is $18.79, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $34.27 or more per hour.

    Is Durham above or below average for Photographers salaries?

    The median Photographers salary in Durham, NC is 8.1% 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 Durham?

    Entry-level Photographers (10th percentile) earn around $29,990 per year in Durham, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $34,840.