Photographer salary in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
Photographers in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area earn a median of $37,040 a year ($17.81 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,350 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 3% higher than the Indiana statewide median of $35,960. There are 0.21 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.62). The average (mean) salary is $42,040, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,420 | $14.14 |
| 25th percentile | $34,980 | $16.82 |
| Median | $37,040 | $17.81 |
| 75th percentile | $53,050 | $25.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,350 | $28.54 |
| Average (mean) | $42,040 | $20.21 |
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 | $3,086.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,543.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,424.62 |
| Weekly | $712.31 |
| Hourly | $17.81 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $37,040 salary, see how much house you can afford in Indiana 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $50,000 | 150 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $43,040 | 290 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $41,750 | 40 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $36,900 | 100 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $36,810 | 1,590 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $35,920 | 40 |
| Evansville, IN | $35,420 | 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 Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $58,340 | $28.05 |
| Broadcast Technician | $46,290 | $22.26 |
| Film and Video Editors | $47,340 | $22.76 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $58,480 | $28.11 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $45,410 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $66,450 | $31.95 |
| Graphic Designer | $60,520 | $29.10 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $36,490 | $17.54 |
| Producers and Directors | $61,220 | $29.43 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $47,530 | $22.85 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $88,040 | $42.33 |
| Interior Designer | $66,150 | $31.81 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $66,140 | $31.80 |
| Editor | $65,390 | $31.44 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
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 Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?
The median salary for photographers in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area is $37,040 a year, or $17.81 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?
The top 10% of photographers in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area earn at least $59,350 a year. The top 25% earn $53,050 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,420 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $34,980 or less.
How many photographers work in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?
About 230 photographers are employed in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.