Photographer Salary in Ohio (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Ohio Median
$38,470
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.50
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-14% vs US median
US median $44,660
State Rank
#32 of 49
1,540 employed here

How much does a Photographer make in Ohio?

A Photographer working in Ohio earns a median salary of $38,470 per year, or about $18.50 per hour. That is 14% below the national median of $44,660 for this occupation.

Within Ohio, entry-level pay starts around $23,670 while the top 10% make $80,990 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $31,650 and $53,180 a year.

Photographer salary range in Ohio

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$23,670$11.38
25th percentile (early career)$31,650$15.22
50th percentile (median)$38,470$18.50
75th percentile (experienced)$53,180$25.57
90th percentile (top earners)$80,990$38.94

How Ohio compares

Ohio ranks 32nd 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 Ohio

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 Ohio pay ($38,470) 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 Ohio?
The median Photographer salary in Ohio is $38,470 per year, or about $18.50 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $23,670 at the entry level to $80,990 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Ohio pay compare to the national average?
Ohio pays Photographers about 14% less than the national median of $44,660. Ohio ranks 32nd out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Ohio a good state for Photographers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $38,470 a year. About 1,540 Photographers are employed in Ohio. 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 Ohio?
The highest-paying occupations in Ohio include Surgeon, All Other ($554,220), Cardiologist ($504,260), Anesthesiologist ($490,530), 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.