How much does a photographer make in California?
$47,840a year
Median yearly pay for photographers in California. That is $23.00 an hour or $3,987 a month.
- Hourly
- $23.00
- Vs. national median
- +7%
- Rank among states
- 10 of 49
- Jobs in the state
- 7,980
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $36,470Median: $47,840Highest 10%: $125,500
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,470 | $17.53 | |
| 25th | $38,410 | $18.47 | |
| Median | $47,840 | $23.00 | |
| 75th | $72,100 | $34.66 | |
| 90th | $125,500 | $60.33 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Francisco, CA | $58,840 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $56,220 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $55,220 |
| San Jose, CA | $52,470 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $50,500 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $48,790 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $47,840 |
| Stockton, CA | $46,620 |
| Sacramento, CA | $45,880 |
| Modesto, CA | $44,240 |
| San Diego, CA | $44,030 |
| Oxnard, CA | $43,870 |
| Riverside, CA | $43,710 |
| Vallejo, CA | $43,040 |
| Fresno, CA | $37,520 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for photographers.
| 7. Connecticut | $49,790 |
| 8. New Mexico | $48,090 |
| 9. Washington | $48,050 |
| 10. California | $47,840 |
| 11. Kentucky | $47,170 |
| 12. Colorado | $47,070 |
| 13. Maine | $46,680 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a photographer make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $23.00 ($47,840 a year).
Do photographers make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $47,840 against $44,660 nationally, 7% more.
Where does California rank for photographer pay?
California ranks 10 of 49 states.
Which city in California pays photographers the most?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, with a median of $58,840 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.