Photographers Salary in Pittsburgh, PA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Pittsburgh, PA

Median annual salary $34,430 -19% vs national
Median hourly $16.55
10th percentile $23,990
90th percentile $72,080
Employed locally 580
National median $42,520

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Photographers
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Pittsburgh, PA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $23,990
    25th
    $33,650
    50th (median)
    $34,430
    75th
    $50,440
    90th
    $72,080

    Pittsburgh economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $73,942 2023 • Census ACS
    Photographers salary vs area income 47% Median Photographers salary is 53% 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
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $45,310
    Reading, PA $43,770
    Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA $42,080

    Related occupations in Pittsburgh, PA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Public Relations Specialists $56,800
    Coaches and Scouts $46,850
    Graphic Designers $53,230
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers $35,880
    Producers and Directors $62,810
    Audio and Video Technicians $55,900

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Photographers make per hour in Pittsburgh?

    The median hourly wage for Photographers in Pittsburgh, PA is $16.55, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $36.22 or more per hour.

    Is Pittsburgh above or below average for Photographers salaries?

    The median Photographers salary in Pittsburgh, PA is 19% 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 Pittsburgh?

    Entry-level Photographers (10th percentile) earn around $23,990 per year in Pittsburgh, PA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $33,650.