Photographers Salary in Olympia, WA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA

Median annual salary $38,920 -8.5% vs national
Median hourly $18.71
10th percentile $35,520
90th percentile $79,240
Employed locally 40
National median $42,520

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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $35,520
    25th
    $35,690
    50th (median)
    $38,920
    75th
    $62,720
    90th
    $79,240

    Olympia economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $93,985 2023 • Census ACS
    Photographers salary vs area income 41% Median Photographers salary is 59% 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
    Wasatch Front Fringe Utah nonmetropolitan area $60,940
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $60,270
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $56,340
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $55,840
    Sussex Delaware nonmetropolitan area $53,950
    Delaware $50,040

    Related occupations in Olympia, WA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Public Relations Specialists $78,110
    Coaches and Scouts $46,250
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers $40,140
    Graphic Designers $62,760
    Editors $80,080
    Technical Writers $80,360

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Photographers make per hour in Olympia?

    The median hourly wage for Photographers in Olympia, WA is $18.71, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $40.79 or more per hour.

    Is Olympia above or below average for Photographers salaries?

    The median Photographers salary in Olympia, WA is 8.5% 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 Olympia?

    Entry-level Photographers (10th percentile) earn around $35,520 per year in Olympia, WA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $35,690.