Photographer salary in South Carolina
Photographers in South Carolina earn a median of $37,890 a year ($18.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 630 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,810 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $44,660. South Carolina ranks 35th of 49 states for photographers pay. There are 0.27 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $44,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,480 | $12.73 |
| 25th percentile | $27,940 | $13.43 |
| Median | $37,890 | $18.22 |
| 75th percentile | $56,890 | $27.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,810 | $34.53 |
| Average (mean) | $44,380 | $21.34 |
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 | $3,157.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,578.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,457.31 |
| Weekly | $728.65 |
| Hourly | $18.22 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $37,890 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Photographer salary in cities in South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $56,890 | 100 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $41,020 | 30 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $39,730 | 120 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $36,950 | 40 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $36,810 | 690 |
| Columbia, SC | $36,060 | 120 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $34,950 | 70 |
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 |
Related jobs in South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| Broadcast Technician | $46,860 | $22.53 |
| Lighting Technician | $46,720 | $22.46 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $74,010 | $35.58 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $57,940 | $27.86 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $45,240 | $21.75 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $42,950 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $62,730 | $30.16 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $36,810 | $17.70 |
| Graphic Designer | $57,170 | $27.49 |
| Producers and Directors | $56,030 | $26.94 |
| Interior Designer | $63,790 | $30.67 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $77,300 | $37.16 |
| Technical Writer | $82,540 | $39.68 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
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 Carolina?
The median salary for photographers in South Carolina is $37,890 a year, or $18.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of photographers in South Carolina earn at least $71,810 a year. The top 25% earn $56,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,480 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $27,940 or less.
How many photographers work in South Carolina?
About 630 photographers are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.