Photographers Salary in Portland, OR-WA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

Median annual salary $55,840 +31.3% vs national
Median hourly $26.85
10th percentile $36,200
90th percentile $104,290
Employed locally 420
National median $42,520

Compare Photographers salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Portland, OR-WA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Photographers
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Portland, OR-WA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,200
    25th
    $39,330
    50th (median)
    $55,840
    75th
    $83,920
    90th
    $104,290

    Portland economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $94,573 2023 • Census ACS
    Photographers salary vs area income 59% Median Photographers salary is 41% 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
    Bend, OR $72,760
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $60,270
    New Orleans-Metairie, LA $57,800
    New York $57,700
    Fort Collins-Loveland, CO $57,550
    Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT $57,110

    Related occupations in Portland, OR-WA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Public Relations Specialists $75,840
    Coaches and Scouts $48,140
    Graphic Designers $68,710
    Producers and Directors $83,250
    Art Directors $155,350
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers $41,350

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Photographers make per hour in Portland?

    The median hourly wage for Photographers in Portland, OR-WA is $26.85, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $53.38 or more per hour.

    Is Portland above or below average for Photographers salaries?

    The median Photographers salary in Portland, OR-WA is 31.3% 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 Portland?

    Entry-level Photographers (10th percentile) earn around $36,200 per year in Portland, OR-WA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $39,330.