Photographers Salary in Salem, OR

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Salem, OR

Median annual salary $56,190 +32.1% vs national
Median hourly $27.02
10th percentile $32,140
90th percentile $215,160
Employed locally 30
National median $42,520

Compare Photographers salary & buying power

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

Full tool →
Photographers
in
Salem, OR
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $32,140
    25th
    $36,630
    50th (median)
    $56,190
    75th
    $99,940
    90th
    $215,160

    Salem economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $76,010 2023 • Census ACS
    Photographers salary vs area income 74% Median Photographers salary is 26% 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 Salem, OR

    OccupationMedian salary
    Public Relations Specialists$76,770
    Coaches and Scouts$45,980
    Graphic Designers$63,590
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers$38,530
    Interpreters and Translators$77,320
    Technical Writers$77,480

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Photographers make per hour in Salem?

    The median hourly wage for Photographers in Salem, OR is $27.02, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $103.44 or more per hour.

    Is Salem above or below average for Photographers salaries?

    The median Photographers salary in Salem, OR is 32.1% 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 Salem?

    Entry-level Photographers (10th percentile) earn around $32,140 per year in Salem, OR. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $36,630.