Photographers Salary in San Francisco, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Median annual salary $75,070 +76.6% vs national
Median hourly $36.09
10th percentile $43,940
90th percentile $132,000
Employed locally 980
National median $42,520

Compare Photographers salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how San Francisco, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Photographers
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San Francisco, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $43,940
    25th
    $50,200
    50th (median)
    $75,070
    75th
    $115,980
    90th
    $132,000

    San Francisco economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $133,780 2023 • Census ACS
    Photographers salary vs area income 56% Median Photographers salary is 44% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Photographers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $110,530
    Rochester, MN $78,870
    Bend, OR $72,760
    Springfield, MA $64,880
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $63,340
    Wasatch Front Fringe Utah nonmetropolitan area $60,940

    Nearby metros — Photographers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    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
    Vallejo, CA $47,740

    Related occupations in San Francisco, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Public Relations Specialists$98,460
    Coaches and Scouts$47,260
    Producers and Directors$122,210
    Graphic Designers$89,490
    Media and Communication Workers, All Other$99,420
    Editors$99,720

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Photographers make per hour in San Francisco?

    The median hourly wage for Photographers in San Francisco, CA is $36.09, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $57.35 or more per hour.

    Is San Francisco above or below average for Photographers salaries?

    The median Photographers salary in San Francisco, CA is 76.6% 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 San Francisco?

    Entry-level Photographers (10th percentile) earn around $43,940 per year in San Francisco, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $50,200.