Photographer salary in South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI
Photographers in the South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro area earn a median of $35,920 a year ($17.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,810 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is about the same as the Indiana statewide median of $35,960. There are 0.30 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $37,590, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,830 | $10.50 |
| 25th percentile | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Median | $35,920 | $17.27 |
| 75th percentile | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $54,810 | $26.35 |
| Average (mean) | $37,590 | $18.07 |
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 | $2,993.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,496.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,381.54 |
| Weekly | $690.77 |
| Hourly | $17.27 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $35,920 salary, see how much house you can afford in Indiana 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $50,000 | 150 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $46,270 | 70 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $43,040 | 290 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $41,750 | 40 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $37,510 | 70 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $37,040 | 230 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $36,900 | 100 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $36,810 | 1,590 |
| Evansville, IN | $35,420 | 50 |
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 Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $46,480 | $22.35 |
| Broadcast Technician | $37,290 | $17.93 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,280 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $51,370 | $24.70 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $61,830 | $29.73 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $41,200 | $19.81 |
| Producers and Directors | $47,600 | $22.89 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $47,720 | $22.94 |
| Floral Designer | $35,700 | $17.16 |
| Interior Designer | $63,090 | $30.33 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $66,980 | $32.20 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI
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 South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI?
The median salary for photographers in the South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro area is $35,920 a year, or $17.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI?
The top 10% of photographers in the South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro area earn at least $54,810 a year. The top 25% earn $41,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,830 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $31,200 or less.
How many photographers work in South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI?
About 40 photographers are employed in the South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.