How much does a photographer make in Washington?
Median yearly pay for photographers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area. That is $26.22 an hour or $4,544 a month.
- Hourly
- $26.22
- Vs. national median
- +22%
- Rank among cities
- 14 of 175
- Jobs in the area
- 1,060
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,440 | $17.04 | |
| 25th | $41,460 | $19.93 | |
| Median | $54,530 | $26.22 | |
| 75th | $92,360 | $44.40 | |
| 90th | $124,800 | $60.01 |
Other cities in District of Columbia
Median yearly pay for photographers.
| No other city in the state with data. |
Related jobs in Washington
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Musician and Singer | $133,600 |
| Artist and Related Worker | $125,100 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Worker | $121,700 |
| Writer and Author | $108,500 |
| Art Director | $106,000 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $101,700 |
| News Analyst | $101,000 |
| Producer and Director | $100,300 |
| Technical Writer | $99,910 |
| Interpreter and Translator | $94,510 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a photographer make an hour in Washington?
The median hourly pay in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $26.22 ($54,530 a year).
Do photographers make more in Washington than the national average?
Yes: $54,530 against $44,660 nationally, 22% more.
How does Washington compare with the rest of District of Columbia?
The median in District of Columbia is $111,000, so Washington pays 51% less.
Where does Washington rank for photographer pay?
14 of 175 metro areas with data.
How much does a photographer make starting out in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% make $35,440 or less a year; the top 10% make $124,800 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.