Photographer salary in McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX
Photographers in the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX metro area earn a median of $28,110 a year ($13.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $20,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,280 for the top 10%. That is 37% lower than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 32% lower than the Texas statewide median of $41,280. 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 $32,360, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $20,420 | $9.82 |
| 25th percentile | $24,770 | $11.91 |
| Median | $28,110 | $13.51 |
| 75th percentile | $37,390 | $17.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,280 | $22.25 |
| Average (mean) | $32,360 | $15.56 |
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 | $2,342.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,171.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,081.15 |
| Weekly | $540.58 |
| Hourly | $13.51 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $28,110 salary, see how much house you can afford in Texas 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Corpus Christi, TX | $45,000 | 50 |
| Waco, TX | $44,300 | 30 |
| Lubbock, TX | $44,230 | 40 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $43,970 | 1,480 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $41,840 | 40 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $41,280 | 800 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $38,970 | 540 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $37,780 | 330 |
| El Paso, TX | $36,650 | 80 |
| Tyler, TX | $34,130 | 50 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | $32,780 | 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 Texas statewide figures.
Related jobs in McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $43,640 | $20.98 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $48,980 | $23.55 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $31,470 | $15.13 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $37,670 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $42,170 | $20.27 |
| Producers and Directors | $60,920 | $29.29 |
| Interior Designer | $46,850 | $22.52 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $39,860 | $19.16 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX
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 McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX?
The median salary for photographers in the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX metro area is $28,110 a year, or $13.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $20,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX?
The top 10% of photographers in the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX metro area earn at least $46,280 a year. The top 25% earn $37,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $20,420 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $24,770 or less.
How many photographers work in McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX?
About 70 photographers are employed in the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX metro area, not counting the self-employed.