California ranks 7th of 49 states and D.C. for photographers pay, trailing top-paying District of Columbia ($110,530) by $59,920 — a 118% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $35,750 to $131,250 — a $95,500 spread, 47% wider than the national $65,150 range.
Photographers are more concentrated in California than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 1.22 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.22× the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $35,750 | $17.19 |
| 25th percentile | $38,380 | $18.45 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $50,610 | $24.33 |
| 75th percentile | $85,250 | $40.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,250 | $63.10 |
| Mean (average) | $76,230 | $36.65 |
How California Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. California |
|---|---|---|
| California (current) | $50,610 | n/a |
| District of Columbia | $110,530 | +118% |
| Massachusetts | $60,610 | +20% |
| New York | $57,700 | +14% |
| Oregon | $55,640 | +10% |
| Minnesota | $54,650 | +8% |
| New Jersey | $50,760 | +0% |
| Delaware | $50,040 | -1% |
| Rhode Island | $49,770 | -2% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in California
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other | $50,520 | 27,450 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $50,430 | 60,280 |
| Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary | $50,330 | 26,370 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers | $50,240 | 108,140 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $51,060 | 8,940 |
| Sales and Related Workers, All Other | $50,150 | 29,120 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Photographers salary in California?
The mean photographers salary in California is $76,230 per year. The median (middle) salary is $50,610 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Photographers in California?
Entry-level photographerss (10th percentile) in California typically earn around $35,750 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $38,380 per year.
What is the highest Photographers salary in California?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in California make approximately $131,250 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $85,250 per year.
How does the California Photographers salary compare to the national average?
The median photographers salary in California is $50,610, which is +19% above national average of $42,520.