How much does a photographer make in Seattle?
$51,790a year
Median yearly pay for photographers in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area. That is $24.90 an hour or $4,316 a month.
- Hourly
- $24.90
- Vs. national median
- +16%
- Rank among cities
- 20 of 175
- Jobs in the area
- 550
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $39,800Median: $51,790Highest 10%: $84,280
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,800 | $19.13 | |
| 25th | $44,350 | $21.32 | |
| Median | $51,790 | $24.90 | |
| 75th | $74,110 | $35.63 | |
| 90th | $84,280 | $40.52 |
Other cities in Washington
Median yearly pay for photographers.
| Portland, OR | $59,220 |
| Spokane, WA | $45,690 |
Related jobs in Seattle
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Special Effects Artist and Animator | $134,100 |
| Lighting Technician | $126,100 |
| Art Director | $124,600 |
| Technical Writer | $107,600 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designer | $105,000 |
| Writer and Author | $98,730 |
| Musician and Singer | $96,820 |
| Artist and Related Worker | $96,550 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $96,000 |
| Producer and Director | $86,680 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a photographer make an hour in Seattle?
The median hourly pay in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $24.90 ($51,790 a year).
Do photographers make more in Seattle than the national average?
Yes: $51,790 against $44,660 nationally, 16% more.
How does Seattle compare with the rest of Washington?
The median in Washington is $48,050, so Seattle pays 8% more.
Where does Seattle rank for photographer pay?
20 of 175 metro areas with data.
How much does a photographer make starting out in Seattle?
The lowest-paid 10% make $39,800 or less a year; the top 10% make $84,280 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.