Photographer salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
Photographers in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn a median of $44,840 a year ($21.56 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,660 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 21% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $37,120. There are 0.22 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.67). The average (mean) salary is $48,800, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,950 | $14.40 |
| 25th percentile | $34,630 | $16.65 |
| Median | $44,840 | $21.56 |
| 75th percentile | $57,850 | $27.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,660 | $36.85 |
| Average (mean) | $48,800 | $23.46 |
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 | $3,736.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,868.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,724.62 |
| Weekly | $862.31 |
| Hourly | $21.56 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $44,840 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $44,990 | 180 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $42,210 | 210 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $41,130 | 300 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $38,840 | 120 |
| Wilmington, NC | $37,690 | 80 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $36,810 | 690 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $36,670 | 210 |
| Asheville, NC | $35,120 | 160 |
| 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 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $32,510 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,900 | $18.22 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $58,270 | $28.01 |
| Graphic Designer | $50,540 | $24.30 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $62,990 | $30.28 |
| Interior Designer | $60,250 | $28.97 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $53,790 | $25.86 |
| Writers and Authors | $47,300 | $22.74 |
| Producers and Directors | $54,890 | $26.39 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
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 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The median salary for photographers in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area is $44,840 a year, or $21.56 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,660 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The top 10% of photographers in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn at least $76,660 a year. The top 25% earn $57,850 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,950 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $34,630 or less.
How many photographers work in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
About 30 photographers are employed in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.