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Photographer II Salary in the United States

How much does a Photographer II make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Photographer II in the United States is $70,879 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $34.

However, a Photographer II's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $84,837
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $61,255 to $78,185
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $52,493
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Photographer II Salaries

A Photographer II's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Photographer II Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Photographer II's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Photographer I (0-2 years): $59,153
  • Photographer II (2-4 years): $70,879
  • Photographer III (4-7 years): $87,144
  • Photography Studio Manager (7+ years): $108,045
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Photographer I0-2 years$59,153
Photographer II2-4 years$70,879
Photographer III4-7 years$87,144
Photography Studio Manager7+ years$108,045
View as Graph

How Do Photographer II Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Photographer IIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $78,477.
  • California: $78,180.
  • Massachusetts: $77,138.

Top Paying Cities for Photographer IIs

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $89,400
  • San Francisco: $88,421
  • Oakland: $86,557

What Skills Can Increase a Photographer II's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 11.94% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Early Childhood Education (Mentioned in 1.15% Job Postings): Early childhood education, also known as nursery education, is a branch of education theory that relates to the teaching of children from birth up to the age of eight.
  • Videography (Mentioned in 0.5% Job Postings): Videography is the process of capturing moving images on electronic media and even streaming media.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 11.94%
Early Childhood Education 1.15%
Videography 0.5%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Photographer II's salary.

  • Storytelling: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Advertising: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Microsoft Office: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Storytelling $75,132
6%
Advertising $74,423
5%
Microsoft Office $74,423
5%
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Photographer II Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Photographer II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $79,210. While startup companies pay approximate $67,004.

Photographer II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $67,004
Growth Stage 51~500 $70,863
Established 501~5000 $76,488
Enterprise 5000+ $79,210

Photographer II Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Photographer II roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Construction and Insurance sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Photographer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Internet typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Photographer II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Photographer II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Construction$85,055$41.020%
Insurance$81,511$39.015%
Media$79,384$38.012%
Aerospace & Defense$77,967$37.010%
Retail & Wholesale$75,841$36.07%

How Education impacts a Photographer II's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Photographer II enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Photographer II with a Bachelor's Degree is between $69,561 and $74,861.

Photographer II Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Photographer II
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.6%
High School 17.5%
Associates 16.8%
Bachelors 57.6%
Masters 5.9%
Doctorate 0.7%
View as Graph

Photographer II Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Photographer II's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$61,255
Average $70,879/year
$78,185
$5,105
Average $5,907/month
$6,515
$1,178
Average $1,363/week
$1,504
$29
Average $34/hour
$38
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $78,185 $6,515 $1,504 $38
Average $70,879 $5,907 $1,363 $34
25th Percentile $61,255 $5,105 $1,178 $29

Photographer II Salary Growth & Career Path

Photographer II

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Photographer II, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Art Manager $111,121 57%
Photographer III $87,144 23%

Most common benefits for Photographer II

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Photographer II

Here are companies hiring for Photographer II and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Photographer II

1. Where can a Photographer II earn the most?

A Photographer II's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Photographer II earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Photographer II is $89,400.

2. What is the highest pay for Photographer II?

The highest pay for Photographer II is $84,837.

3. What is the lowest pay for Photographer II?

The lowest pay for Photographer II is $52,493.

4. What are the responsibilities of Photographer II?

Uses photographic and video equipment to capture a subject, place, or event. Understands and adheres to photography/videography guidelines and standards. Has thorough knowledge and experience with concepts like composition, lighting, and balance. Helps sift through content to identify valuable photos or videos. May stage subjects or areas for capture and may work directly with clients. Typically requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2-4 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Photographer II?

The Construction industry offers the highest average compensation for Photographer II roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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