Photographer salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Photographers in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn a median of $44,030 a year ($21.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 620 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,500 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 8% lower than the California statewide median of $47,840. There are 0.40 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $60,580, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,670 | $17.63 |
| 25th percentile | $36,860 | $17.72 |
| Median | $44,030 | $21.17 |
| 75th percentile | $60,980 | $29.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,500 | $35.82 |
| Average (mean) | $60,580 | $29.12 |
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 | $3,669.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,834.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,693.46 |
| Weekly | $846.73 |
| Hourly | $21.17 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $44,030 salary, see how much house you can afford in California 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 |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $58,840 | 880 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $56,220 | 60 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $55,220 | 60 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $52,470 | 210 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $50,500 | 60 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $48,790 | 40 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $47,840 | 4,290 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $46,620 | 40 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $45,880 | 290 |
| Modesto, CA | $44,240 | 50 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $43,870 | 90 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $43,710 | 460 |
| Vallejo, CA | $43,040 | 110 |
| Fresno, CA | $37,520 | 140 |
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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $59,470 | $28.59 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $56,730 | $27.27 |
| Film and Video Editors | $83,480 | $40.13 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $56,580 | $27.20 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $63,020 | $30.30 |
| Broadcast Technician | $62,750 | $30.17 |
| Lighting Technician | $61,040 | $29.34 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,230 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $81,240 | $39.06 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $44,420 | $21.36 |
| Producers and Directors | $99,520 | $47.85 |
| Interior Designer | $80,640 | $38.77 |
| Editor | $78,870 | $37.92 |
| Art Director | $126,050 | $60.60 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
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 San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The median salary for photographers in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $44,030 a year, or $21.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The top 10% of photographers in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn at least $74,500 a year. The top 25% earn $60,980 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,670 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $36,860 or less.
How many photographers work in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
About 620 photographers are employed in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.