Photographer salary in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA
Photographers in the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA metro area earn a median of $43,550 a year ($20.94 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,840 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 9% lower than the Washington statewide median of $48,050. There are 0.30 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $54,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,060 | $17.34 |
| 25th percentile | $37,590 | $18.07 |
| Median | $43,550 | $20.94 |
| 75th percentile | $72,700 | $34.95 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,840 | $40.79 |
| Average (mean) | $54,220 | $26.07 |
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 | $3,629.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,814.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,675 |
| Weekly | $837.50 |
| Hourly | $20.94 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $43,550 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $59,220 | 350 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $51,790 | 550 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $45,690 | 170 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $38,010 | 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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $46,620 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $84,470 | $40.61 |
| Graphic Designer | $67,710 | $32.55 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $45,040 | $21.65 |
| Editor | $68,830 | $33.09 |
| Technical Writer | $85,050 | $40.89 |
| Producers and Directors | $74,980 | $36.05 |
| Floral Designer | $44,420 | $21.36 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA
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 Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA?
The median salary for photographers in the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA metro area is $43,550 a year, or $20.94 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,840 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA?
The top 10% of photographers in the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA metro area earn at least $84,840 a year. The top 25% earn $72,700 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,060 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $37,590 or less.
How many photographers work in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA?
About 40 photographers are employed in the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.