Alabama Median
$36,130
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.37
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-19% vs US median
US median $44,660
State Rank
#45 of 49
530 employed here
How much does a Photographer make in Alabama?
Photographers in Alabama take home a median of $36,130 annually — roughly $17.37 an hour — which runs 19% below the national median of $44,660.
Within Alabama, entry-level pay starts around $24,590 while the top 10% make $72,550 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $28,470 and $55,760 a year.
Photographer salary range in Alabama
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,590 | $11.82 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $28,470 | $13.69 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $36,130 | $17.37 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $55,760 | $26.81 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,550 | $34.88 |
|
How Alabama compares
Alabama ranks 45th out of 49 states and territories for Photographer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Photographer salary in other states
District of Columbia $110,970New York $60,050Massachusetts $57,990Oregon $53,630Utah $52,140Delaware $50,100Connecticut $49,790New Mexico $48,090Washington $48,050California $47,840Kentucky $47,170Colorado $47,070Maine $46,680Virginia $46,550Minnesota $46,470Maryland $46,450Hawaii $45,960Mississippi $45,860South Dakota $45,330New Hampshire $44,780Georgia $43,770Florida $42,640Wisconsin $42,060Nebraska $41,920Texas $41,280New Jersey $40,520Pennsylvania $40,520Montana $39,900Wyoming $39,330Alaska $39,190Missouri $39,170Ohio $38,470Iowa $38,290Tennessee $37,950South Carolina $37,890Kansas $37,790Nevada $37,460North Dakota $37,410Rhode Island $37,300North Carolina $37,120Arizona $36,970Louisiana $36,830Oklahoma $36,750Illinois $36,570West Virginia $36,110Indiana $35,960Idaho $33,320Arkansas $32,810
Working as a Photographer in Alabama
Nationally, about 52,000 people work as Photographers in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare Alabama pay ($36,130) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Photographer make in Alabama?
The median Photographer salary in Alabama is $36,130 per year, or about $17.37 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $24,590 at the entry level to $72,550 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Alabama pay compare to the national average?
Alabama pays Photographers about 19% less than the national median of $44,660. Alabama ranks 45th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Alabama a good state for Photographers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $36,130 a year. About 530 Photographers are employed in Alabama. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Alabama?
The highest-paying occupations in Alabama include Cardiologist ($519,480), Dermatologist ($394,550), Anesthesiologist ($392,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Photographer salary report
Related salaries
$37,360
median pay · 41,000 employed
$62,200
median pay · 39,000 employed
$55,310
median pay · 3,000 employed
$46,080
median pay · 5,000 employed
$40,710
median pay · 16,000 employed
$47,340
median pay · 21,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.