How much does a photographer make in Santa Maria?
$55,220a year
Median yearly pay for photographers in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area. That is $26.55 an hour or $4,602 a month.
- Hourly
- $26.55
- Vs. national median
- +24%
- Rank among cities
- 12 of 175
- Jobs in the area
- 60
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $36,320Median: $55,220Highest 10%: $85,450
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,320 | $17.46 | |
| 25th | $43,690 | $21.00 | |
| Median | $55,220 | $26.55 | |
| 75th | $70,520 | $33.90 | |
| 90th | $85,450 | $41.08 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for photographers.
| San Francisco, CA | $58,840 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $56,220 |
| San Jose, CA | $52,470 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $50,500 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $47,840 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Santa Maria
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Art Director | $109,500 |
| Fashion Designer | $108,200 |
| Technical Writer | $104,500 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Worker | $94,590 |
| Interpreter and Translator | $82,440 |
| Interior Designer | $78,960 |
| Graphic Designer | $78,500 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $78,450 |
| Producer and Director | $76,860 |
| Editor | $73,300 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a photographer make an hour in Santa Maria?
The median hourly pay in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area is $26.55 ($55,220 a year).
Do photographers make more in Santa Maria than the national average?
Yes: $55,220 against $44,660 nationally, 24% more.
How does Santa Maria compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $47,840, so Santa Maria pays 15% more.
Where does Santa Maria rank for photographer pay?
12 of 175 metro areas with data.
How much does a photographer make starting out in Santa Maria?
The lowest-paid 10% make $36,320 or less a year; the top 10% make $85,450 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.