Photographers Salary in Madison, WI

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Madison, WI

Median annual salary $40,130 -5.6% vs national
Median hourly $19.30
10th percentile $31,720
90th percentile $81,720
Employed locally 170
National median $42,520

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Photographers
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Madison, WI
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $31,720
    25th
    $37,790
    50th (median)
    $40,130
    75th
    $59,190
    90th
    $81,720

    Madison economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $86,827 2023 • Census ACS
    Photographers salary vs area income 46% Median Photographers salary is 54% 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
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $60,270
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $49,770
    Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL $45,740
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $45,310
    Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT $42,700
    Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA $41,600

    Related occupations in Madison, WI

    OccupationMedian salary
    Public Relations Specialists $73,130
    Coaches and Scouts $44,800
    Graphic Designers $62,520
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers $37,950
    Producers and Directors $63,690
    Editors $64,580

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Photographers make per hour in Madison?

    The median hourly wage for Photographers in Madison, WI is $19.30, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $36.73 or more per hour.

    Is Madison above or below average for Photographers salaries?

    The median Photographers salary in Madison, WI is 5.6% 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 Madison?

    Entry-level Photographers (10th percentile) earn around $31,720 per year in Madison, WI. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $37,790.