Photographer salary in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
Photographers in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro area earn a median of $43,970 a year ($21.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,480 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,220 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 7% higher than the Texas statewide median of $41,280. There are 0.37 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $45,480, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,150 | $12.57 |
| 25th percentile | $35,770 | $17.20 |
| Median | $43,970 | $21.14 |
| 75th percentile | $53,240 | $25.60 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,220 | $30.88 |
| Average (mean) | $45,480 | $21.86 |
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 | $3,664.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,832.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,691.15 |
| Weekly | $845.58 |
| Hourly | $21.14 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $43,970 salary, see how much house you can afford in Texas 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Corpus Christi, TX | $45,000 | 50 |
| Waco, TX | $44,300 | 30 |
| Lubbock, TX | $44,230 | 40 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $41,840 | 40 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $41,280 | 800 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $38,970 | 540 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $37,780 | 330 |
| El Paso, TX | $36,650 | 80 |
| Tyler, TX | $34,130 | 50 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | $32,780 | n/a |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | $28,110 | 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 Texas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $56,740 | $27.28 |
| Broadcast Technician | $63,500 | $30.53 |
| Film and Video Editors | $65,000 | $31.25 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $64,380 | $30.95 |
| Lighting Technician | $60,250 | $28.97 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $69,280 | $33.31 |
| Graphic Designer | $63,780 | $30.66 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $38,630 | $18.57 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $37,320 | — |
| Interior Designer | $65,160 | $31.33 |
| Producers and Directors | $77,260 | $37.15 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $56,920 | $27.36 |
| Art Director | $87,810 | $42.22 |
| Floral Designer | $36,170 | $17.39 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
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 Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX?
The median salary for photographers in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro area is $43,970 a year, or $21.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX?
The top 10% of photographers in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro area earn at least $64,220 a year. The top 25% earn $53,240 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,150 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $35,770 or less.
How many photographers work in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX?
About 1,480 photographers are employed in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro area, not counting the self-employed.