Photographer salary in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ
Photographers in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area earn a median of $35,400 a year ($17.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,510 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 13% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $40,520. There are 0.44 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $43,070, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,090 | $13.51 |
| 25th percentile | $35,000 | $16.83 |
| Median | $35,400 | $17.02 |
| 75th percentile | $45,530 | $21.89 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,510 | $31.02 |
| Average (mean) | $43,070 | $20.71 |
Half of photographers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,950 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,475 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,361.54 |
| Weekly | $680.77 |
| Hourly | $17.02 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $35,400 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Photographer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $60,050 | 3,590 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $43,940 | 40 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $43,750 | 950 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $43,060 | 60 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $42,530 | 290 |
| Reading, PA | $42,430 | 40 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $40,910 | 40 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $40,240 | 40 |
| Lancaster, PA | $37,600 | 120 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $35,380 | 80 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $26,640 | n/a |
Highest-paying states for photographers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $110,970 |
| New York | $60,050 |
| Massachusetts | $57,990 |
| Oregon | $53,630 |
| Utah | $52,140 |
| Delaware | $50,100 |
| Connecticut | $49,790 |
| New Mexico | $48,090 |
| Washington | $48,050 |
| California | $47,840 |
See Photographer pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $61,440 | $29.54 |
| Broadcast Technician | $63,370 | $30.46 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $54,690 | $26.29 |
| Film and Video Editors | $60,140 | $28.92 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $52,500 | $25.24 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $49,460 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $59,710 | $28.71 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,030 | $18.77 |
| Producers and Directors | $67,230 | $32.32 |
| Floral Designer | $36,770 | $17.68 |
| Editor | $75,240 | $36.17 |
| Interior Designer | $59,280 | $28.50 |
| Art Director | $101,940 | $49.01 |
| Technical Writer | $90,230 | $43.38 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-4021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a photographer make in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?
The median salary for photographers in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area is $35,400 a year, or $17.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,510 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?
The top 10% of photographers in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area earn at least $64,510 a year. The top 25% earn $45,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,090 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $35,000 or less.
How many photographers work in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?
About 170 photographers are employed in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area, not counting the self-employed.