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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Full Time Photographer in California is $77,306 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $37.
However, a Full Time Photographer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Full Time Photographer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $85,741 | $7,145 | $1,649 | $41 |
| Average | $77,306 | $6,442 | $1,487 | $37 |
| 25th Percentile | $65,675 | $5,473 | $1,263 | $32 |
Compass Group - San Luis Obispo, CA
LOWE'S - Visalia, CA
Aztec Shops, SDSU - San Diego, CA
Security Prime Consultants Inc - Oxnard, CA
A Full Time Photographer'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
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 Full Time Photographers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Full Time Photographer 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, Full Time Photographer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Internet typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Full Time Photographer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | $92,767 | $45.0 | 20% |
| Insurance | $88,901 | $43.0 | 15% |
| Media | $86,582 | $42.0 | 12% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $85,036 | $41.0 | 10% |
| Retail & Wholesale | $82,717 | $40.0 | 7% |
Understanding how a Full Time Photographer'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $85,741 | $7,145 | $1,649 | $41 |
| Average | $77,306 | $6,442 | $1,487 | $37 |
| 25th Percentile | $65,675 | $5,473 | $1,263 | $32 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Full Time Photographer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Integral Senior Living
Fremont, CA
Integral Senior Living | Fremont, CA
Integral Senior Living - - Responsibilities: Supervise housekeeping staff and daily operations. Interview, hire, and train employees. Plan, assign, and dir... more
3 Days Ago
Fremont Hills
Fremont, CA
Fremont Hills | Fremont, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Integral Senior Living, proudly part of the Discovery Senior Living family of operating companies, manages care and lifes... more
5 Days Ago
Aztec Shops, Ltd.
San Diego, CA
Aztec Shops, Ltd. | San Diego, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Job Description. COMPENSATION. Pay Rate: $23.00–$25.00 per hour. This represents the good faith estimate of the hourly wa... more
1 Day Ago
Aztec Shops, Ltd.
San Diego, CA
Aztec Shops, Ltd. | San Diego, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Job Description. COMPENSATION. Pay Rate: $25.00–$27.00 per hour. This represents the good faith estimate of the hourly wa... more
1 Day Ago
Whole Foods Market
El Segundo, CA
Whole Foods Market | El Segundo, CA
Whole Foods Market - - Responsibilities: Support daily ecommerce operations. Monitor order times and shopper flow. Assist with onboarding and coaching Team... more
2 Days Ago
Lowe's
San Clemente, CA
Lowe's | San Clemente, CA
Lowe's - - Responsibilities: Provides SMART customer service at all times. Uses a cash register to process sales transactions. Coaches and trains associate... more
2 Days Ago
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