Photographer salary in District of Columbia
Photographers in District of Columbia earn a median of $110,970 a year ($53.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 260 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $148,360 for the top 10%. That is 148% higher than the national median of $44,660. District of Columbia ranks 1st of 49 states for photographers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.38 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $104,630, close to the median.
Pay range for photographers in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,080 | $22.15 |
| 25th percentile | $83,170 | $39.99 |
| Median | $110,970 | $53.35 |
| 75th percentile | $125,220 | $60.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $148,360 | $71.33 |
| Average (mean) | $104,630 | $50.30 |
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 | $9,247.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,623.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,268.08 |
| Weekly | $2,134.04 |
| Hourly | $53.35 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $110,970 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Photographer salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $54,530 | 1,060 |
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 |
Related jobs in District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $78,770 | $37.87 |
| Film and Video Editors | $98,830 | $47.51 |
| Broadcast Technician | $108,270 | $52.05 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $98,300 | $47.26 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $106,630 | $51.26 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $102,740 | $49.40 |
| Editor | $83,920 | $40.35 |
| Producers and Directors | $104,270 | $50.13 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $105,390 | $50.67 |
| Graphic Designer | $87,920 | $42.27 |
| Writers and Authors | $129,300 | $62.16 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $65,360 | — |
| Interior Designer | $98,450 | $47.33 |
| Technical Writer | $117,810 | $56.64 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia?
The median salary for photographers in District of Columbia is $110,970 a year, or $53.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $148,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of photographers in District of Columbia earn at least $148,360 a year. The top 25% earn $125,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,080 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $83,170 or less.
How many photographers work in District of Columbia?
About 260 photographers are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.