Photographer Salary in Minnesota (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Photographers in Minnesota, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Minnesota Median
$46,470
per year
Hourly Rate
$22.34
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+4% vs US median
US median $44,660
State Rank
#15 of 49
730 employed here

How much does a Photographer make in Minnesota?

Photographers in Minnesota take home a median of $46,470 annually — roughly $22.34 an hour — which runs 4% above the national median of $44,660.

Within Minnesota, entry-level pay starts around $36,890 while the top 10% make $84,530 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $44,450 and $65,050 a year.

Photographer salary range in Minnesota

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$36,890$17.74
25th percentile (early career)$44,450$21.37
50th percentile (median)$46,470$22.34
75th percentile (experienced)$65,050$31.27
90th percentile (top earners)$84,530$40.64

How Minnesota compares

Minnesota ranks 15th out of 49 states and territories for Photographer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$110,970
2New York$60,050
3Massachusetts$57,990
4Oregon$53,630
5Utah$52,140

Working as a Photographer in Minnesota

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 Minnesota pay ($46,470) 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 Minnesota?
The median Photographer salary in Minnesota is $46,470 per year, or about $22.34 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,890 at the entry level to $84,530 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Minnesota pay compare to the national average?
Minnesota pays Photographers about 4% more than the national median of $44,660. Minnesota ranks 15th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Minnesota a good state for Photographers?
Yes on pay — Minnesota pays above the national median for this occupation, at $46,470 a year. About 730 Photographers are employed in Minnesota. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Minnesota?
The highest-paying occupations in Minnesota include Radiologist ($708,340), Dermatologist ($625,790), Surgeon, All Other ($568,150), 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.