Photographer salary in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
Photographers in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area earn a median of $43,060 a year ($20.70 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,870 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 6% higher than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $40,520. There are 0.22 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.66). The average (mean) salary is $49,000, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,500 | $14.18 |
| 25th percentile | $33,820 | $16.26 |
| Median | $43,060 | $20.70 |
| 75th percentile | $55,920 | $26.89 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,870 | $36.48 |
| Average (mean) | $49,000 | $23.56 |
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 | $3,588.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,794.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,656.15 |
| Weekly | $828.08 |
| Hourly | $20.70 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $43,060 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $43,750 | 950 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $42,530 | 290 |
| Reading, PA | $42,430 | 40 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $40,240 | 40 |
| Lancaster, PA | $37,600 | 120 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $35,400 | 170 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $35,380 | 80 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $26,640 | n/a |
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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $50,760 | $24.41 |
| Broadcast Technician | $58,230 | $28.00 |
| Film and Video Editors | $52,850 | $25.41 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $51,730 | $24.87 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $46,880 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $54,950 | $26.42 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $36,250 | $17.43 |
| Producers and Directors | $61,660 | $29.64 |
| Floral Designer | $35,560 | $17.10 |
| Editor | $60,110 | $28.90 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $47,320 | $22.75 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $55,700 | $26.78 |
| Interior Designer | $60,690 | $29.18 |
| Music Directors and Composers | $73,610 | $35.39 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
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 Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?
The median salary for photographers in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area is $43,060 a year, or $20.70 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,870 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?
The top 10% of photographers in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area earn at least $75,870 a year. The top 25% earn $55,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,500 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $33,820 or less.
How many photographers work in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?
About 60 photographers are employed in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.