Photographer salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Photographers in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median of $51,790 a year ($24.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 550 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,280 for the top 10%. That is 16% higher than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 8% higher than the Washington statewide median of $48,050. There are 0.27 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.80). The average (mean) salary is $61,000, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,800 | $19.14 |
| 25th percentile | $44,350 | $21.32 |
| Median | $51,790 | $24.90 |
| 75th percentile | $74,110 | $35.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,280 | $40.52 |
| Average (mean) | $61,000 | $29.33 |
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 | $4,315.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,157.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,991.92 |
| Weekly | $995.96 |
| Hourly | $24.90 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $51,790 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 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $45,690 | 170 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $43,550 | 40 |
| 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $69,270 | $33.30 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $61,820 | $29.72 |
| Film and Video Editors | $75,420 | $36.26 |
| Broadcast Technician | $65,300 | $31.39 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $62,700 | $30.14 |
| Lighting Technician | $126,110 | $60.63 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $49,640 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $96,000 | $46.16 |
| Graphic Designer | $76,720 | $36.89 |
| Producers and Directors | $86,680 | $41.68 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $50,580 | $24.32 |
| Editor | $79,660 | $38.30 |
| Technical Writer | $107,580 | $51.72 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $134,120 | $64.48 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median salary for photographers in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $51,790 a year, or $24.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The top 10% of photographers in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn at least $84,280 a year. The top 25% earn $74,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,800 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $44,350 or less.
How many photographers work in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
About 550 photographers are employed in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.