Photographer salary in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
Photographers in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area earn a median of $35,380 a year ($17.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,090 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 13% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $40,520. There are 0.25 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.76). The average (mean) salary is $43,610, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,520 | $14.67 |
| 25th percentile | $32,280 | $15.52 |
| Median | $35,380 | $17.01 |
| 75th percentile | $51,560 | $24.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,090 | $30.33 |
| Average (mean) | $43,610 | $20.97 |
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 | $2,948.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,474.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,360.77 |
| Weekly | $680.38 |
| Hourly | $17.01 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $35,380 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $43,750 | 950 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $43,060 | 60 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $42,530 | 290 |
| Reading, PA | $42,430 | 40 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $40,240 | 40 |
| Lancaster, PA | $37,600 | 120 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $35,400 | 170 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $26,640 | n/a |
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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $57,970 | $27.87 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $40,030 | $19.25 |
| Broadcast Technician | $58,410 | $28.08 |
| Film and Video Editors | $56,680 | $27.25 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $70,510 | $33.90 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,930 | $19.20 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $40,570 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $58,150 | $27.96 |
| Producers and Directors | $73,280 | $35.23 |
| Editor | $62,930 | $30.26 |
| Floral Designer | $35,080 | $16.86 |
| Interior Designer | $65,140 | $31.32 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $70,000 | $33.66 |
| Art Director | $95,310 | $45.82 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
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 Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
The median salary for photographers in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area is $35,380 a year, or $17.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
The top 10% of photographers in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area earn at least $63,090 a year. The top 25% earn $51,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,520 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $32,280 or less.
How many photographers work in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
About 80 photographers are employed in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.