South Dakota Median
$45,330
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.79
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+2% vs US median
US median $44,660
State Rank
#19 of 49
190 employed here
How much does a Photographer make in South Dakota?
A Photographer working in South Dakota earns a median salary of $45,330 per year, or about $21.79 per hour. That is 2% above the national median of $44,660 for this occupation.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $31,150 while the top 10% make $54,750 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $35,090 and $50,150 a year.
Photographer salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,150 | $14.98 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $35,090 | $16.87 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $45,330 | $21.79 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $50,150 | $24.11 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $54,750 | $26.32 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 19th 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 $45,860New 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 South Dakota
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 South Dakota pay ($45,330) 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 South Dakota?
The median Photographer salary in South Dakota is $45,330 per year, or about $21.79 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $31,150 at the entry level to $54,750 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Photographers about 2% more than the national median of $44,660. South Dakota ranks 19th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Photographers?
Yes on pay — South Dakota pays above the national median for this occupation, at $45,330 a year. About 190 Photographers are employed in South Dakota. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in South Dakota?
The highest-paying occupations in South Dakota include Radiologist ($586,010), Emergency Medicine Physician ($393,870), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($297,610), 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.