As of January 01, 2026, the average annual salary for food photography in the US is $54,039, equivalent to $26 per hour, $1,039 weekly, or $4,503 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for food photography in cities like Santa Clara, San Jose, and Fremont.

Annually Salaries for food photography in the US vary widely, spanning from $47,268 to $67,247. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($50,495) and 75th percentile ($60,953), while top earners (90th percentile) make $67,247 per year. This $10,458 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Customer Service or Early Childhood Education, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.

Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, District of Columbia food photography often earn 10.7% above national averages due to demand from Fortune 44 companies and industry startups. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.

Based on HR-reported data: a national average with a geographic differential
food photography Salaries by Percentile
Percentile Salary Location Last Updated
10th Percentile food photography Salary $47,268 US January 01, 2026
25th Percentile food photography Salary $50,495 US January 01, 2026
50th Percentile food photography Salary $54,039 US January 01, 2026
75th Percentile food photography Salary $60,953 US January 01, 2026
90th Percentile food photography Salary $67,247 US January 01, 2026
25% $50,495 10% $47,268 90% $67,247 75% $60,953 $54,039 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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What is a food photography ?

Food photography salary varies widely based on experience, location, and the type of employment. Entry-level food photographers may earn between $30,000 and $50,000 annually, while those with several years of experience can command salaries ranging from $50,000 to $80,000. Highly skilled professionals or those working in major markets may earn upwards of $100,000. Freelancers often charge per project, with rates typically ranging from $150 to $500 per session, depending on the complexity and client requirements. Additional factors influencing salary include portfolio quality, client base, and ...

Source: (as of 06/04/2025). Read more from

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Job Openings for food photography

Career Path for this job

  1. This Job:

    food photography

    0 - 2 years experience
    Bachelor's Degree

  2. Up a level:

    Photographer II

    2 - 4 years experience
    Bachelor's Degree

Understand the total compensation opportunity for a food photography, base salary plus other pay elements

Average Base Salary

Core compensation

 
 
 
50495
60953
54039

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
49964
61898
58429
These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of food photography in the United States. The base salary for food photography ranges from $50,495 to $60,953 with the average base salary of $54,039. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $49,964 to $61,898 with the average total cash compensation of $58,429.
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50495
60953

 

Jobs with a similar salary range to food photography : Junior Photographer, Freelance Wedding Photographer, Product Photographer