Photographers Salary in Rochester, NY

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Rochester, NY

Median annual salary $43,880 +3.2% vs national
Median hourly $21.10
10th percentile $31,200
90th percentile $78,000
Employed locally 90
National median $42,520

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Photographers
in
Rochester, NY
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $31,200
    25th
    $34,450
    50th (median)
    $43,880
    75th
    $60,070
    90th
    $78,000

    Rochester economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $74,438 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
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $60,270
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $46,180
    Kingston, NY $42,960
    Syracuse, NY $42,840
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $41,090
    Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY $40,010

    Related occupations in Rochester, NY

    OccupationMedian salary
    Coaches and Scouts $48,350
    Public Relations Specialists $65,010
    Graphic Designers $60,310
    Interpreters and Translators $76,610
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers $37,860
    Producers and Directors $80,320

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Photographers make per hour in Rochester?

    The median hourly wage for Photographers in Rochester, NY is $21.10, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $37.63 or more per hour.

    Is Rochester above or below average for Photographers salaries?

    The median Photographers salary in Rochester, NY is 3.2% 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 Rochester?

    Entry-level Photographers (10th percentile) earn around $31,200 per year in Rochester, NY. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $34,450.