Photographers Salary in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD

Median annual salary $45,310 +6.6% vs national
Median hourly $21.78
10th percentile $33,100
90th percentile $77,620
Employed locally 830
National median $42,520

Compare Photographers salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Photographers
in
Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $33,100
    25th
    $37,440
    50th (median)
    $45,310
    75th
    $62,870
    90th
    $77,620

    Philadelphia economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $89,273 2023 • Census ACS
    Photographers salary vs area income 51% Median Photographers salary is 49% 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
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $47,720
    San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA $46,500
    Reading, PA $43,770
    Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA $42,080
    Lancaster, PA $41,690

    Related occupations in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD

    OccupationMedian salary
    Public Relations Specialists$64,380
    Coaches and Scouts$48,610
    Graphic Designers$61,190
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers$36,580
    Producers and Directors$78,430
    Editors$77,220

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Photographers make per hour in Philadelphia?

    The median hourly wage for Photographers in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD is $21.78, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $38.78 or more per hour.

    Is Philadelphia above or below average for Photographers salaries?

    The median Photographers salary in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD is 6.6% above 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 Philadelphia?

    Entry-level Photographers (10th percentile) earn around $33,100 per year in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $37,440.