Photographers Salary in San Luis Obispo, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA

Median annual salary $46,500 +9.4% vs national
Median hourly $22.35
10th percentile $33,280
90th percentile $84,470
Employed locally 40
National median $42,520

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Photographers
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San Luis Obispo, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $33,280
    25th
    $38,880
    50th (median)
    $46,500
    75th
    $60,820
    90th
    $84,470

    San Luis Obispo economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $93,398 2023 • Census ACS
    Photographers salary vs area income 50% Median Photographers salary is 50% 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 San Luis Obispo, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Coaches and Scouts $45,660
    Public Relations Specialists $72,220
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers $44,240
    Producers and Directors $77,820
    Editors $79,360
    Interpreters and Translators $53,570

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Photographers make per hour in San Luis Obispo?

    The median hourly wage for Photographers in San Luis Obispo, CA is $22.35, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $35.91 or more per hour.

    Is San Luis Obispo above or below average for Photographers salaries?

    The median Photographers salary in San Luis Obispo, CA is 9.4% 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 Luis Obispo?

    Entry-level Photographers (10th percentile) earn around $33,280 per year in San Luis Obispo, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $38,880.