District of Columbia Median
$110,970
per year
Hourly Rate
$53.35
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+148% vs US median
US median $44,660
State Rank
#1 of 49
260 employed here
How much does a Photographer make in District of Columbia?
Photographers in District of Columbia take home a median of $110,970 annually — roughly $53.35 an hour — which runs 148% above the national median of $44,660.
Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $46,080 while the top 10% make $148,360 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $83,170 and $125,220 a year.
Photographer salary range in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,080 | $22.15 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $83,170 | $39.99 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $110,970 | $53.35 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $125,220 | $60.20 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $148,360 | $71.33 |
|
How District of Columbia compares
District of Columbia ranks 1st out of 49 states and territories for Photographer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Photographer salary in other states
New 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 $36,570Alabama $36,130West Virginia $36,110Indiana $35,960Idaho $33,320Arkansas $32,810
Working as a Photographer in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia pay ($110,970) 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 District of Columbia?
The median Photographer salary in District of Columbia is $110,970 per year, or about $53.35 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $46,080 at the entry level to $148,360 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Photographers about 148% more than the national median of $44,660. District of Columbia ranks 1st out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Photographers?
Yes on pay — District of Columbia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $110,970 a year. About 260 Photographers are employed in District of Columbia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Photographer salary report
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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.