Photographer salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Photographers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn a median of $56,890 a year ($27.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,260 for the top 10%. That is 27% higher than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 50% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $37,890. There are 0.24 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.73). The average (mean) salary is $55,560, close to the median.
Pay range for photographers in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,250 | $16.95 |
| 25th percentile | $40,270 | $19.36 |
| Median | $56,890 | $27.35 |
| 75th percentile | $63,860 | $30.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,260 | $39.07 |
| Average (mean) | $55,560 | $26.71 |
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 | $4,740.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,370.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,188.08 |
| Weekly | $1,094.04 |
| Hourly | $27.35 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $56,890 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $41,020 | 30 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $39,730 | 120 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $36,950 | 40 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $36,810 | 690 |
| Columbia, SC | $36,060 | 120 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $34,950 | 70 |
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 South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $52,250 | $25.12 |
| Broadcast Technician | $57,190 | $27.49 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,320 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $63,780 | $30.66 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $38,580 | $18.55 |
| Graphic Designer | $61,450 | $29.54 |
| Interior Designer | $72,400 | $34.81 |
| Producers and Directors | $61,280 | $29.46 |
| Technical Writer | $88,610 | $42.60 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $13.11 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $48,020 | $23.09 |
| Writers and Authors | $78,000 | $37.50 |
| Art Director | $87,610 | $42.12 |
| Editor | $63,370 | $30.47 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
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 Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median salary for photographers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $56,890 a year, or $27.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The top 10% of photographers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn at least $81,260 a year. The top 25% earn $63,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,250 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $40,270 or less.
How many photographers work in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
About 100 photographers are employed in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.