Photographers Salary in Milwaukee, WI

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI

Median annual salary $39,750 -6.5% vs national
Median hourly $19.11
10th percentile $33,440
90th percentile $76,760
Employed locally 440
National median $42,520

Compare Photographers salary & buying power

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Photographers
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Milwaukee, WI
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $33,440
    25th
    $34,790
    50th (median)
    $39,750
    75th
    $57,470
    90th
    $76,760

    Milwaukee economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $76,404 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
    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 Milwaukee, WI

    OccupationMedian salary
    Coaches and Scouts $41,810
    Graphic Designers $59,990
    Public Relations Specialists $63,350
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers $38,180
    Producers and Directors $62,840
    Interior Designers $63,110

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Photographers make per hour in Milwaukee?

    The median hourly wage for Photographers in Milwaukee, WI is $19.11, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $38.73 or more per hour.

    Is Milwaukee above or below average for Photographers salaries?

    The median Photographers salary in Milwaukee, WI is 6.5% 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 Milwaukee?

    Entry-level Photographers (10th percentile) earn around $33,440 per year in Milwaukee, WI. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $34,790.