Photographer Salary in New Mexico (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
New Mexico Median
$48,090
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.12
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+8% vs US median
US median $44,660
State Rank
#8 of 49
230 employed here

How much does a Photographer make in New Mexico?

A Photographer working in New Mexico earns a median salary of $48,090 per year, or about $23.12 per hour. That is 8% above the national median of $44,660 for this occupation.

Within New Mexico, entry-level pay starts around $34,800 while the top 10% make $79,780 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $40,980 and $67,030 a year.

Photographer salary range in New Mexico

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$34,800$16.73
25th percentile (early career)$40,980$19.70
50th percentile (median)$48,090$23.12
75th percentile (experienced)$67,030$32.23
90th percentile (top earners)$79,780$38.36

How New Mexico compares

New Mexico ranks 8th 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 New Mexico

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 New Mexico pay ($48,090) 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 New Mexico?
The median Photographer salary in New Mexico is $48,090 per year, or about $23.12 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $34,800 at the entry level to $79,780 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Mexico pay compare to the national average?
New Mexico pays Photographers about 8% more than the national median of $44,660. New Mexico ranks 8th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Mexico a good state for Photographers?
Yes on pay — New Mexico pays above the national median for this occupation, at $48,090 a year. About 230 Photographers are employed in New Mexico. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New Mexico?
The highest-paying occupations in New Mexico include Emergency Medicine Physician ($405,130), Anesthesiologist ($393,970), Surgeon, All Other ($363,940), 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.