Photographers Salary in Rapid City, SD

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Rapid City, SD

Median annual salary $39,780 -6.4% vs national
Median hourly $19.13
10th percentile $31,150
90th percentile $50,690
Employed locally 30
National median $42,520

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Photographers
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Rapid City, SD
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $31,150
    25th
    $34,980
    50th (median)
    $39,780
    75th
    $49,710
    90th
    $50,690

    Rapid City economic context

    Unemployment rate 1.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,985 2023 • Census ACS
    Photographers salary vs area income 55% Median Photographers salary is 45% 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
    Sioux Falls, SD-MN $45,760

    Related occupations in Rapid City, SD

    OccupationMedian salary
    Coaches and Scouts $29,630
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers $37,020
    Graphic Designers $45,330
    Floral Designers $34,050
    Public Relations Specialists $68,910
    Choreographers $41,080

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Photographers make per hour in Rapid City?

    The median hourly wage for Photographers in Rapid City, SD is $19.13, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $24.37 or more per hour.

    Is Rapid City above or below average for Photographers salaries?

    The median Photographers salary in Rapid City, SD is 6.4% 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 Rapid City?

    Entry-level Photographers (10th percentile) earn around $31,150 per year in Rapid City, SD. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $34,980.