Photographers Salary in Hickory, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

Median annual salary $36,200 -14.9% vs national
Median hourly $17.40
10th percentile $27,890
90th percentile $72,120
Employed locally 40
National median $42,520

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Photographers
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Hickory, NC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $27,890
    25th
    $35,110
    50th (median)
    $36,200
    75th
    $57,610
    90th
    $72,120

    Hickory economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $60,255 2023 • Census ACS
    Photographers salary vs area income 60% Median Photographers salary is 40% 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 Hickory, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Public Relations Specialists$49,580
    Graphic Designers$50,200
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers$32,670
    Coaches and Scouts$44,260
    Commercial and Industrial Designers$70,700
    Writers and Authors$33,110

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Photographers make per hour in Hickory?

    The median hourly wage for Photographers in Hickory, NC is $17.40, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $36.85 or more per hour.

    Is Hickory above or below average for Photographers salaries?

    The median Photographers salary in Hickory, NC is 14.9% 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 Hickory?

    Entry-level Photographers (10th percentile) earn around $27,890 per year in Hickory, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $35,110.