Photographer salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Photographers in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median of $55,020 a year ($26.45 an hour), based on BLS data for 670 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,600 for the top 10%. That is 23% higher than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 5% lower than the Massachusetts statewide median of $57,990. There are 0.25 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.74). The average (mean) salary is $70,820, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,870 | $17.73 |
| 25th percentile | $42,480 | $20.42 |
| Median | $55,020 | $26.45 |
| 75th percentile | $98,500 | $47.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $119,600 | $57.50 |
| Average (mean) | $70,820 | $34.05 |
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 | $4,585 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,292.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,116.15 |
| Weekly | $1,058.08 |
| Hourly | $26.45 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $55,020 salary, see how much house you can afford in Massachusetts 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Springfield, MA | $60,430 | 40 |
| Manchester-Nashua, NH | $50,620 | 40 |
| Worcester, MA | $50,170 | 60 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $50,060 | 240 |
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 Massachusetts statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Film and Video Editors | $88,910 | $42.75 |
| Broadcast Technician | $49,590 | $23.84 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $62,810 | $30.20 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $77,420 | $37.22 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $60,440 | $29.06 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $86,470 | $41.57 |
| Lighting Technician | $60,110 | $28.90 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $81,440 | $39.16 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $56,220 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $78,270 | $37.63 |
| Producers and Directors | $83,850 | $40.31 |
| Editor | $86,410 | $41.54 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $44,070 | $21.19 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $75,120 | $36.12 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
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 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The median salary for photographers in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $55,020 a year, or $26.45 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The top 10% of photographers in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn at least $119,600 a year. The top 25% earn $98,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,870 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $42,480 or less.
How many photographers work in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
About 670 photographers are employed in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, not counting the self-employed.