How much does a photographer make in Chicago?
$36,810a year
Median yearly pay for photographers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $17.70 an hour or $3,068 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.70
- Vs. national median
- -18%
- Rank among cities
- 138 of 175
- Jobs in the area
- 1,590
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $31,200Median: $36,810Highest 10%: $100,100
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,200 | $15.00 | |
| 25th | $34,520 | $16.60 | |
| Median | $36,810 | $17.70 | |
| 75th | $59,020 | $28.38 | |
| 90th | $100,100 | $48.12 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for photographers.
| St. Louis, MO | $39,170 |
| Peoria, IL | $35,510 |
Related jobs in Chicago
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Commercial and Industrial Designer | $113,000 |
| Musician and Singer | $110,600 |
| Art Director | $104,600 |
| Camera Operator | $102,400 |
| Broadcast Technician | $96,060 |
| Technical Writer | $89,960 |
| Media and Communication Worker | $89,620 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Worker | $85,400 |
| Producer and Director | $85,040 |
| Special Effects Artist and Animator | $83,200 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a photographer make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $17.70 ($36,810 a year).
Do photographers make more in Chicago than the national average?
No: $36,810 against $44,660 nationally, 18% less.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $36,570, so Chicago pays 1% more.
Where does Chicago rank for photographer pay?
138 of 175 metro areas with data.
How much does a photographer make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $31,200 or less a year; the top 10% make $100,100 or more.
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.