Photographer salary in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
Photographers in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn a median of $44,480 a year ($21.38 an hour), based on BLS data for 240 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,060 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 17% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $37,950. There are 0.22 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.67). The average (mean) salary is $51,170, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,170 | $14.99 |
| 25th percentile | $37,960 | $18.25 |
| Median | $44,480 | $21.38 |
| 75th percentile | $63,870 | $30.71 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,060 | $34.64 |
| Average (mean) | $51,170 | $24.60 |
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 | $3,706.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,853.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,710.77 |
| Weekly | $855.38 |
| Hourly | $21.38 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $44,480 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $38,510 | 110 |
| Knoxville, TN | $36,240 | 100 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $33,600 | 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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $51,370 | $24.70 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $71,180 | $34.22 |
| Film and Video Editors | $59,280 | $28.50 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $60,800 | $29.23 |
| Broadcast Technician | $45,020 | $21.64 |
| Lighting Technician | $62,790 | $30.19 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $51,970 | $24.98 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $39,170 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $79,590 | $38.27 |
| Graphic Designer | $60,370 | $29.03 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $36,090 | $17.35 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $62,870 | $30.23 |
| Interior Designer | $69,770 | $33.55 |
| Editor | $64,250 | $30.89 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
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 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The median salary for photographers in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area is $44,480 a year, or $21.38 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The top 10% of photographers in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn at least $72,060 a year. The top 25% earn $63,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,170 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $37,960 or less.
How many photographers work in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
About 240 photographers are employed in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.