Photographer salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
Photographers in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area earn a median of $50,000 a year ($24.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,570 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 6% higher than the Kentucky statewide median of $47,170. There are 0.23 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.68). The average (mean) salary is $52,880, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,980 | $13.45 |
| 25th percentile | $34,200 | $16.44 |
| Median | $50,000 | $24.04 |
| 75th percentile | $59,600 | $28.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,570 | $36.81 |
| Average (mean) | $52,880 | $25.42 |
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 | $4,166.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,083.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,923.08 |
| Weekly | $961.54 |
| Hourly | $24.04 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $50,000 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $47,170 | 60 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $43,040 | 290 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $42,540 | 30 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $41,750 | 40 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $37,040 | 230 |
| 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 Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $48,320 | $23.23 |
| Broadcast Technician | $40,240 | $19.35 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $50,550 | $24.30 |
| Film and Video Editors | $67,620 | $32.51 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $74,100 | $35.62 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $34,780 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $35,860 | $17.24 |
| Graphic Designer | $57,340 | $27.57 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $61,640 | $29.64 |
| Producers and Directors | $61,350 | $29.50 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $78,140 | $37.57 |
| Interior Designer | $60,020 | $28.86 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $53,590 | $25.77 |
| Floral Designer | $35,700 | $17.16 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-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 Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
The median salary for photographers in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area is $50,000 a year, or $24.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
The top 10% of photographers in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area earn at least $76,570 a year. The top 25% earn $59,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,980 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $34,200 or less.
How many photographers work in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
About 150 photographers are employed in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.