Photographer salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Photographers in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn a median of $39,190 a year ($18.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,340 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 35% lower than the New York statewide median of $60,050. There are 0.26 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.78). The average (mean) salary is $49,240, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,640 | $17.14 |
| 25th percentile | $36,460 | $17.53 |
| Median | $39,190 | $18.84 |
| 75th percentile | $58,500 | $28.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,340 | $37.18 |
| Average (mean) | $49,240 | $23.67 |
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 | $3,265.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,632.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,507.31 |
| Weekly | $753.65 |
| Hourly | $18.84 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $39,190 salary, see how much house you can afford in New York 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 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $58,050 | 150 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $50,940 | 130 |
| Syracuse, NY | $49,560 | 80 |
| Kingston, NY | $42,960 | 30 |
| Rochester, NY | $42,260 | 120 |
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 New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $58,700 | $28.22 |
| Broadcast Technician | $79,520 | $38.23 |
| Film and Video Editors | $73,130 | $35.16 |
| Lighting Technician | $67,080 | $32.25 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $76,260 | $36.66 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $50,000 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $69,380 | $33.36 |
| Graphic Designer | $60,000 | $28.85 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $42,560 | $20.46 |
| Producers and Directors | $79,450 | $38.20 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $55.43 |
| Editor | $71,520 | $34.39 |
| Interior Designer | $56,420 | $27.13 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $47,940 | $23.05 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
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 Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The median salary for photographers in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area is $39,190 a year, or $18.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,340 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The top 10% of photographers in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn at least $77,340 a year. The top 25% earn $58,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,640 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $36,460 or less.
How many photographers work in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
About 140 photographers are employed in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.