Photographer salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Photographers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median of $54,530 a year ($26.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,060 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,830 for the top 10%. That is 22% higher than the national median of $44,660. Pay here is 51% lower than the District of Columbia statewide median of $110,970. There are 0.34 photographers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $70,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for photographers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,440 | $17.04 |
| 25th percentile | $41,460 | $19.94 |
| Median | $54,530 | $26.22 |
| 75th percentile | $92,360 | $44.41 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $124,830 | $60.01 |
| Average (mean) | $70,220 | $33.76 |
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 | $4,544.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,272.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,097.31 |
| Weekly | $1,048.65 |
| Hourly | $26.22 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $54,530 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Richmond, VA | $46,420 | 270 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $46,170 | 480 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $44,290 | 60 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $43,750 | 950 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $42,210 | 210 |
| Roanoke, VA | $39,710 | 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 District of Columbia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $74,380 | $35.76 |
| Broadcast Technician | $75,010 | $36.06 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $121,680 | $58.50 |
| Film and Video Editors | $91,750 | $44.11 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $83,320 | $40.06 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $79,990 | $38.46 |
| Lighting Technician | $63,090 | $30.33 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $101,680 | $48.88 |
| Editor | $84,800 | $40.77 |
| Graphic Designer | $85,420 | $41.07 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $50,680 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $100,270 | $48.21 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $101,020 | $48.57 |
| Technical Writer | $99,910 | $48.03 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median salary for photographers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $54,530 a year, or $26.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,830 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid photographers make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The top 10% of photographers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn at least $124,830 a year. The top 25% earn $92,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for photographers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,440 a year, and a quarter of photographers earn $41,460 or less.
How many photographers work in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
About 1,060 photographers are employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.