Photographers Salary in Wilmington, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Wilmington, NC

Median annual salary $36,310 -14.6% vs national
Median hourly $17.46
10th percentile $24,080
90th percentile $77,790
Employed locally 80
National median $42,520

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Photographers
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Wilmington, NC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $24,080
    25th
    $28,120
    50th (median)
    $36,310
    75th
    $52,730
    90th
    $77,790

    Wilmington economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $73,687 2023 • Census ACS
    Photographers salary vs area income 49% Median Photographers salary is 51% 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
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $55,840
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $49,770
    Manchester-Nashua, NH $48,470
    Greensboro-High Point, NC $48,290
    Trenton-Princeton, NJ $48,250

    Related occupations in Wilmington, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Public Relations Specialists $52,700
    Coaches and Scouts $41,550
    Graphic Designers $47,360
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers $33,520
    Interior Designers $46,240
    Producers and Directors $61,990

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Photographers make per hour in Wilmington?

    The median hourly wage for Photographers in Wilmington, NC is $17.46, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $36.41 or more per hour.

    Is Wilmington above or below average for Photographers salaries?

    The median Photographers salary in Wilmington, NC is 14.6% below 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 Wilmington?

    Entry-level Photographers (10th percentile) earn around $24,080 per year in Wilmington, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $28,120.