Photographer salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Photographers in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area earn a median of $52,470 a year ($25.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 210 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,560 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 10% higher than the California statewide median of $47,840. There are 0.19 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.56). The average (mean) salary is $75,490, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,610 | $19.52 |
| 25th percentile | $42,760 | $20.56 |
| Median | $52,470 | $25.22 |
| 75th percentile | $80,950 | $38.92 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,560 | $61.33 |
| Average (mean) | $75,490 | $36.30 |
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 | $4,372.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,186.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,018.08 |
| Weekly | $1,009.04 |
| Hourly | $25.22 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $52,470 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 |
| 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 Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $73,100 | $35.15 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $64,550 | $31.04 |
| Lighting Technician | $70,970 | $34.12 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $117,620 | $56.55 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $57,250 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $97,360 | $46.81 |
| Technical Writer | $140,700 | $67.65 |
| Art Director | $170,140 | $81.80 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $54,530 | $26.22 |
| Editor | $117,580 | $56.53 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $156,950 | $75.46 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $141,310 | $67.94 |
| Writers and Authors | $118,810 | $57.12 |
| Interior Designer | $85,140 | $40.93 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, 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 Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median salary for photographers in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area is $52,470 a year, or $25.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The top 10% of photographers in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area earn at least $127,560 a year. The top 25% earn $80,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,610 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $42,760 or less.
How many photographers work in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
About 210 photographers are employed in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.