Photographer salary in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Photographers in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area earn a median of $58,840 a year ($28.29 an hour), based on BLS data for 880 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,280 for the top 10%. That is 32% higher than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 23% higher than the California statewide median of $47,840. There are 0.37 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $83,790, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,250 | $19.83 |
| 25th percentile | $46,800 | $22.50 |
| Median | $58,840 | $28.29 |
| 75th percentile | $81,270 | $39.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $119,280 | $57.35 |
| Average (mean) | $83,790 | $40.28 |
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 | $4,903.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,451.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,263.08 |
| Weekly | $1,131.54 |
| Hourly | $28.29 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $58,840 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $44,030 | 620 |
| 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 Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $75,540 | $36.32 |
| Film and Video Editors | $109,930 | $52.85 |
| Broadcast Technician | $77,790 | $37.40 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $94,990 | $45.67 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $110,780 | $53.26 |
| Lighting Technician | $74,000 | $35.58 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $98,500 | $47.35 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $102,520 | $49.29 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $54,770 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $130,640 | $62.81 |
| Graphic Designer | $92,050 | $44.25 |
| Art Director | $165,210 | $79.43 |
| Editor | $102,940 | $49.49 |
| Interior Designer | $87,460 | $42.05 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, 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 Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
The median salary for photographers in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area is $58,840 a year, or $28.29 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
The top 10% of photographers in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area earn at least $119,280 a year. The top 25% earn $81,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,250 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $46,800 or less.
How many photographers work in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
About 880 photographers are employed in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.