Photographer salary in Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI
Photographers in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metro area earn a median of $46,960 a year ($22.58 an hour), based on BLS data for 520 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,500 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 1% higher than the Minnesota statewide median of $46,470. There are 0.26 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.79). The average (mean) salary is $57,180, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,220 | $19.82 |
| 25th percentile | $45,500 | $21.88 |
| Median | $46,960 | $22.58 |
| 75th percentile | $65,050 | $31.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $87,500 | $42.07 |
| Average (mean) | $57,180 | $27.49 |
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 | $3,913.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,956.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,806.15 |
| Weekly | $903.08 |
| Hourly | $22.58 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $46,960 salary, see how much house you can afford in Minnesota 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 |
|---|---|---|
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $47,300 | 30 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $45,760 | 80 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $44,940 | 300 |
| Madison, WI | $43,040 | 160 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $38,210 | 50 |
| Green Bay, WI | $38,080 | 80 |
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 Minnesota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $56,730 | $27.27 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $83,810 | $40.29 |
| Broadcast Technician | $57,610 | $27.70 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $80,380 | $38.64 |
| Film and Video Editors | $59,700 | $28.70 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $73,780 | $35.47 |
| Graphic Designer | $65,610 | $31.54 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $46,620 | — |
| Editor | $63,430 | $30.49 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $48,130 | $23.14 |
| Interior Designer | $74,680 | $35.91 |
| Producers and Directors | $78,660 | $37.82 |
| Art Director | $119,020 | $57.22 |
| Technical Writer | $86,340 | $41.51 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI
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 Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI?
The median salary for photographers in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metro area is $46,960 a year, or $22.58 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI?
The top 10% of photographers in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metro area earn at least $87,500 a year. The top 25% earn $65,050 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,220 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $45,500 or less.
How many photographers work in Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI?
About 520 photographers are employed in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.