Photographers Salary in Raleigh, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Raleigh-Cary, NC

Median annual salary $43,780 +3% vs national
Median hourly $21.05
10th percentile $33,570
90th percentile $78,900
Employed locally 270
National median $42,520

Compare Photographers salary & buying power

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Photographers
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Raleigh, NC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $33,570
    25th
    $34,000
    50th (median)
    $43,780
    75th
    $59,170
    90th
    $78,900

    Raleigh economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $96,066 2023 • Census ACS
    Photographers salary vs area income 46% Median Photographers salary is 54% 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
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $75,070
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $55,840
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $49,770
    Manchester-Nashua, NH $48,470
    Greensboro-High Point, NC $48,290
    Trenton-Princeton, NJ $48,250

    Related occupations in Raleigh, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Public Relations Specialists $64,810
    Coaches and Scouts $37,710
    Graphic Designers $59,910
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers $34,750
    Producers and Directors $66,000
    Writers and Authors $74,820

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Photographers make per hour in Raleigh?

    The median hourly wage for Photographers in Raleigh, NC is $21.05, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $38.57 or more per hour.

    Is Raleigh above or below average for Photographers salaries?

    The median Photographers salary in Raleigh, NC is 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 Raleigh?

    Entry-level Photographers (10th percentile) earn around $33,570 per year in Raleigh, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $34,000.