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Photographers Salary in California
Ranked #4 of 49 · CA
Salary Distribution (10th–90th percentile)
About 80% of photographerss in California earn between $36,470 and $125,490. The blue band is the middle 50% (P25–P75); the dot marks the median.
Compared to the U.S.
The mean photographers salary in California is $70,040, about 26.4% above the U.S. average ($55,410). That works out to roughly $34/hr at 2,080 hours per year.
Metro Areas in California
| Metro area | Median | Mean | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $58,840 | $83,790 | 880 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $56,220 | $56,240 | 60 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $55,220 | $72,200 | 60 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $52,470 | $75,490 | 210 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $50,500 | $72,250 | 60 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $48,790 | $59,300 | 40 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $47,840 | $73,520 | 4,290 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $46,620 | $52,250 | 40 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do photographers make in California?
The median photographers salary in California is $47,840 per year (mean $70,040), and about 80% earn between $36,470 and $125,490.
How much do photographers make per hour in California?
Roughly $34 per hour, based on a mean annual wage of $70,040 and 2,080 work hours per year.
Is California a high-paying state for photographers?
California ranks #4 of 49 states for photographers pay. Its mean salary of $70,040 is about 26.4% above the U.S. average of $55,410.
Which metro areas in California pay photographers the most?
The highest-paying metro areas in California for photographers are San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA ($58,840), Bakersfield-Delano, CA ($56,220), Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($55,220), by median annual wage.