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Average Photographers Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD

Photographers in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metropolitan area earn an average annual salary of $53,850. This figure is slightly below the national average of $55,520, indicating a localized compensation trend influenced by regional economic factors and the specific demand for photographic services within this diverse urban and suburban landscape.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $53,850 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 22.0% over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $77,620.
  • Outlook: The Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington area supports a local workforce of 830 photographers, with a jobs-per-1,000-workers ratio of 0.29. The Location Quotient of 0.87 suggests that while the concentration of photographers is slightly below the national average, the absolute number of professionals indicates a stable, albeit not exceptionally concentrated, job market. This suggests a consistent demand for photographic talent within the region.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$53,850

The average Photographers in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD earns-3.0%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$25.9

Weekly

$1,036

Monthly

$4,488

Photographers Salary Distribution in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD

The career path for photographers in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington typically shows significant salary progression with experience. Entry-level photographers might start closer to the lower percentiles, while seasoned professionals with specialized skills and a strong portfolio can command salaries well into the upper percentiles. These percentile gaps clearly signify the value placed on experience, expertise, and a proven track record in the industry.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase.10% (Entry)$33,100$15.9
Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently.25% (Junior)$40,388$19.4
Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring.50% (Median)$45,310$21.8
Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact.75% (Senior)$67,313$32.4
Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation.90% (Expert)$77,620$37.3

Detailed Photographers Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$53,850

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$53,850

Adjusted for COL (100)

With a Cost of Living Index of 100, the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington area is perfectly aligned with the national average. This means the nominal salary of $53,850 for photographers holds its purchasing power directly against the national benchmark. Therefore, relocating to this area as a photographer would not present an immediate advantage or disadvantage in terms of cost of living relative to salary.

Job Market Context

830

Total Jobs

0.29

Per 1K Jobs

0.87

Location Quotient

Below Average

Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD has 0.87x the national average concentration of Photographers jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.

The Location Quotient of 0.87 indicates that photographers are slightly less concentrated in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington area compared to the national average. This suggests that while the market is not oversaturated, there is a healthy presence of professionals. It implies a competitive but accessible job market where skilled photographers can find opportunities without facing extreme competition.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Photographers

Comparing salaries near Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD

Hiring Photographerss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Photographers make in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?

The median annual salary for a Photographers in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD is $53,850. This typically ranges from $33,100 for entry-level positions to $77,620 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD is 3.0% lower than the national median of $55,520.

Is Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD a lucrative place for Photographerss?

No, not significantly more lucrative than the national average.The average salary of $53,850 is slightly below the national average of $55,520, and the cost of living is exactly at the national average, offering no distinct financial advantage.

Is Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD a good place to live for Photographers?

The Cost of Living Index in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?

Some top paying nearby cities include Trenton-Princeton, NJ ($56,580) and Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ.

How does the Philadelphia photographer salary compare to the national average?

Photographers in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington earn an average of $53,850 annually, which is slightly less than the national average of $55,520.

What is the cost of living for photographers in Philadelphia?

The cost of living in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington is exactly at the national average (index of 100), meaning your salary's purchasing power is standard.

How many photographers are there in the Philadelphia area?

There are approximately 830 photographers employed within the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington metropolitan area.

Is the job market for photographers strong in Philadelphia?

The job market is stable with a Location Quotient of 0.87, indicating a presence of photographers slightly below the national concentration, suggesting a balanced demand and supply.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 830 employees in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD area with a job density of 0.29 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.