Photographer salary in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
Photographers in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area earn a median of $36,810 a year ($17.70 an hour), based on BLS data for 690 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,560 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 1% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $37,120. There are 0.51 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $48,230, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,240 | $15.50 |
| 25th percentile | $36,140 | $17.37 |
| Median | $36,810 | $17.70 |
| 75th percentile | $50,190 | $24.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,560 | $38.73 |
| Average (mean) | $48,230 | $23.19 |
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 | $3,067.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,533.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,415.77 |
| Weekly | $707.88 |
| Hourly | $17.70 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $36,810 salary, see how much house you can afford in North 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $56,890 | 100 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $44,990 | 180 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $44,840 | 30 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $42,210 | 210 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $41,130 | 300 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $41,020 | 30 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $39,730 | 120 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $38,840 | 120 |
| Wilmington, NC | $37,690 | 80 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $36,950 | 40 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $36,670 | 210 |
| Columbia, SC | $36,060 | 120 |
| Asheville, NC | $35,120 | 160 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $34,950 | 70 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $34,560 | 30 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $48,490 | $23.31 |
| Broadcast Technician | $53,170 | $25.56 |
| Film and Video Editors | $46,740 | $22.47 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $44,790 | $21.53 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $50,470 | $24.27 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $63,990 | $30.76 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $75,190 | $36.15 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $46,440 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,760 | $19.11 |
| Graphic Designer | $59,810 | $28.75 |
| Producers and Directors | $74,850 | $35.99 |
| Interior Designer | $64,370 | $30.95 |
| Technical Writer | $82,610 | $39.72 |
| Editor | $77,730 | $37.37 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-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 Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?
The median salary for photographers in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area is $36,810 a year, or $17.70 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?
The top 10% of photographers in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area earn at least $80,560 a year. The top 25% earn $50,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,240 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $36,140 or less.
How many photographers work in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?
About 690 photographers are employed in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.