Photographer salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Photographers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn a median of $42,210 a year ($20.29 an hour), based on BLS data for 210 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,970 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 9% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $46,550. There are 0.28 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $48,200, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,480 | $13.69 |
| 25th percentile | $35,380 | $17.01 |
| Median | $42,210 | $20.29 |
| 75th percentile | $50,070 | $24.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,970 | $37.00 |
| Average (mean) | $48,200 | $23.18 |
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 | $3,517.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,758.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,623.46 |
| Weekly | $811.73 |
| Hourly | $20.29 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $42,210 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $54,530 | 1,060 |
| Richmond, VA | $46,420 | 270 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $44,990 | 180 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $44,840 | 30 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $44,290 | 60 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $41,130 | 300 |
| Roanoke, VA | $39,710 | 50 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $38,840 | 120 |
| Wilmington, NC | $37,690 | 80 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $36,810 | 690 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $36,670 | 210 |
| Asheville, NC | $35,120 | 160 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $34,560 | 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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $53,960 | $25.94 |
| Broadcast Technician | $50,720 | $24.39 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $104,920 | $50.44 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $45,820 | $22.03 |
| Film and Video Editors | $78,660 | $37.82 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $73,890 | $35.52 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $44,810 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $42,470 | $20.42 |
| Producers and Directors | $56,730 | $27.28 |
| Graphic Designer | $60,150 | $28.92 |
| Technical Writer | $79,340 | $38.14 |
| Editor | $59,570 | $28.64 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $47,160 | $22.67 |
| Interior Designer | $59,920 | $28.81 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median salary for photographers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area is $42,210 a year, or $20.29 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,970 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The top 10% of photographers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn at least $76,970 a year. The top 25% earn $50,070 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,480 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $35,380 or less.
How many photographers work in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
About 210 photographers are employed in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.