Photographer salary in Lexington-Fayette, KY
Photographers in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn a median of $47,170 a year ($22.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,450 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is about the same as the Kentucky statewide median of $47,170. There are 0.22 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.66). The average (mean) salary is $52,940, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Lexington-Fayette, KY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,270 | $12.63 |
| 25th percentile | $35,780 | $17.20 |
| Median | $47,170 | $22.68 |
| 75th percentile | $65,080 | $31.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,450 | $36.75 |
| Average (mean) | $52,940 | $25.45 |
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 | $3,930.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,965.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,814.23 |
| Weekly | $907.12 |
| Hourly | $22.68 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $47,170 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky 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 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $42,540 | 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 Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lexington-Fayette, KY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $52,950 | $25.46 |
| Broadcast Technician | $44,910 | $21.59 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $52,580 | $25.28 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $62,380 | $29.99 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $39,210 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $58,880 | $28.31 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $41,070 | $19.75 |
| Producers and Directors | $55,460 | $26.67 |
| Interior Designer | $60,200 | $28.94 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $66,320 | $31.89 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $81,740 | $39.30 |
| Editor | $60,830 | $29.25 |
| Floral Designer | $36,500 | $17.55 |
| Art Director | $73,960 | $35.56 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Lexington-Fayette, KY
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 Lexington-Fayette, KY?
The median salary for photographers in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area is $47,170 a year, or $22.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
The top 10% of photographers in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn at least $76,450 a year. The top 25% earn $65,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,270 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $35,780 or less.
How many photographers work in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
About 60 photographers are employed in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area, not counting the self-employed.