Photographers Salary in Riverside, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA

Median annual salary $42,030 -1.2% vs national
Median hourly $20.21
10th percentile $34,510
90th percentile $77,830
Employed locally 490
National median $42,520

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Photographers
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Riverside, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $34,510
    25th
    $37,300
    50th (median)
    $42,030
    75th
    $56,990
    90th
    $77,830

    Riverside economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $86,031 2023 • Census ACS
    Photographers salary vs area income 49% Median Photographers salary is 51% 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
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $63,340
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $60,910
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $60,250
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $55,900
    California $50,610

    Related occupations in Riverside, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers $45,440
    Coaches and Scouts $44,100
    Graphic Designers $62,040
    Public Relations Specialists $73,740
    Producers and Directors $81,720
    Interpreters and Translators $77,710

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Photographers make per hour in Riverside?

    The median hourly wage for Photographers in Riverside, CA is $20.21, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $32.81 or more per hour.

    Is Riverside above or below average for Photographers salaries?

    The median Photographers salary in Riverside, CA is 1.2% 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 Riverside?

    Entry-level Photographers (10th percentile) earn around $34,510 per year in Riverside, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $37,300.