Photographer salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Photographers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $42,080 a year ($20.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,920 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 10% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $38,290. There are 0.42 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $46,490, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,360 | $10.27 |
| 25th percentile | $25,550 | $12.29 |
| Median | $42,080 | $20.23 |
| 75th percentile | $63,990 | $30.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,920 | $37.94 |
| Average (mean) | $46,490 | $22.35 |
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 | $3,506.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,753.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,618.46 |
| Weekly | $809.23 |
| Hourly | $20.23 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $42,080 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $45,160 | 100 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $43,100 | 30 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $37,190 | 50 |
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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $51,030 | $24.53 |
| Broadcast Technician | $47,880 | $23.02 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $57,400 | $27.60 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $70,660 | $33.97 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $46,710 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $56,520 | $27.17 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $43,320 | $20.83 |
| Editor | $63,720 | $30.64 |
| Producers and Directors | $62,370 | $29.99 |
| Technical Writer | $69,450 | $33.39 |
| Interior Designer | $57,840 | $27.81 |
| Art Director | $90,000 | $43.27 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $55,400 | $26.63 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $54,230 | $26.07 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for photographers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $42,080 a year, or $20.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of photographers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $78,920 a year. The top 25% earn $63,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,360 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $25,550 or less.
How many photographers work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 170 photographers are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.