Virginia Median
$46,550
per year
Hourly Rate
$22.38
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+4% vs US median
US median $44,660
State Rank
#14 of 49
1,580 employed here
How much does a Photographer make in Virginia?
Photographers in Virginia take home a median of $46,550 annually — roughly $22.38 an hour — which runs 4% above the national median of $44,660.
Within Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $31,200 while the top 10% make $91,060 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $35,640 and $55,800 a year.
Photographer salary range in Virginia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $35,640 | $17.13 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $46,550 | $22.38 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $55,800 | $26.83 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $91,060 | $43.78 |
|
How Virginia compares
Virginia ranks 14th 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 $46,680Minnesota $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 Virginia
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 Virginia pay ($46,550) 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 Virginia?
The median Photographer salary in Virginia is $46,550 per year, or about $22.38 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $31,200 at the entry level to $91,060 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Virginia pay compare to the national average?
Virginia pays Photographers about 4% more than the national median of $44,660. Virginia ranks 14th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Virginia a good state for Photographers?
Yes on pay — Virginia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $46,550 a year. About 1,580 Photographers are employed in Virginia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in Virginia include Anesthesiologist ($488,310), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($478,710), Cardiologist ($461,450), 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.