Photographer salary in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
Photographers in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn a median of $43,940 a year ($21.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,580 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 8% higher than the New Jersey statewide median of $40,520. There are 0.15 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.45). The average (mean) salary is $57,930, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,350 | $16.99 |
| 25th percentile | $37,720 | $18.14 |
| Median | $43,940 | $21.13 |
| 75th percentile | $77,850 | $37.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,580 | $43.55 |
| Average (mean) | $57,930 | $27.85 |
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 | $3,661.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,830.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,690 |
| Weekly | $845 |
| Hourly | $21.13 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $43,940 salary, see how much house you can afford in New Jersey 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 |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $60,050 | 3,590 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $43,750 | 950 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $40,910 | 40 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $35,400 | 170 |
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 New Jersey statewide figures.
Related jobs in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $68,730 | $33.04 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $84,990 | $40.86 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $74,620 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $71,750 | $34.49 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $38,420 | $18.47 |
| Producers and Directors | $110,190 | $52.98 |
| Editor | $86,870 | $41.77 |
| Writers and Authors | $90,060 | $43.30 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $44.96 |
| Technical Writer | $117,130 | $56.31 |
| Art Director | $121,540 | $58.43 |
| Interior Designer | $67,310 | $32.36 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $88,880 | $42.73 |
| Floral Designer | $42,460 | $20.41 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
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 Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The median salary for photographers in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area is $43,940 a year, or $21.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The top 10% of photographers in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn at least $90,580 a year. The top 25% earn $77,850 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,350 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $37,720 or less.
How many photographers work in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
About 40 photographers are employed in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area, not counting the self-employed.