Photographers Salary in Seattle, WA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

Median annual salary $48,110 +13.1% vs national
Median hourly $23.13
10th percentile $38,040
90th percentile $84,920
Employed locally 820
National median $42,520

Compare Photographers salary & buying power

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Photographers
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,040
    25th
    $38,960
    50th (median)
    $48,110
    75th
    $65,670
    90th
    $84,920

    Seattle economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $112,594 2023 • Census ACS
    Photographers salary vs area income 43% Median Photographers salary is 57% 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
    Wasatch Front Fringe Utah nonmetropolitan area $60,940
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $60,270
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $56,340
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $55,840
    Sussex Delaware nonmetropolitan area $53,950
    Delaware $50,040

    Related occupations in Seattle, WA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Coaches and Scouts $48,010
    Public Relations Specialists $92,060
    Graphic Designers $82,630
    Special Effects Artists and Animators $142,690
    Editors $87,330
    Producers and Directors $81,030

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Photographers make per hour in Seattle?

    The median hourly wage for Photographers in Seattle, WA is $23.13, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $40.52 or more per hour.

    Is Seattle above or below average for Photographers salaries?

    The median Photographers salary in Seattle, WA is 13.1% 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 Seattle?

    Entry-level Photographers (10th percentile) earn around $38,040 per year in Seattle, WA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $38,960.