Wages vary by employer. For example, news photographers tend to earn more than photographers who work in portrait studios. Few fine arts photographers earn enough to support themselves only through their art. Thus they may have a second job.
Benefits also vary by employer. Most full-time salaried photographers earn benefits. Typical benefits include paid vacation, sick leave, and health insurance.
Photographers (SOC 27-4021)
| Location |
Pay Period | |
||
| 25% |
Median |
75% |
||
| Illinois | Hourly | $15.66 | $19.97 | $27.33 |
| Yearly | $32,561 | $41,535 | $56,858 | |
| Champaign Area | Hourly | $14.96 | $21.00 | $26.90 |
| Yearly | $31,116 | $43,681 | $55,942 | |
| Cook County | Hourly | $17.17 | $21.62 | $28.75 |
| Yearly | $35,703 | $44,972 | $59,808 | |
| Edwardsville Area | Hourly | $14.32 | $19.29 | $23.66 |
| Yearly | $29,780 | $40,121 | $49,195 | |
| Lake County | Hourly | $15.66 | $21.80 | $29.57 |
| Yearly | $32,561 | $45,340 | $61,521 | |
| Northwest Illinois Area | Hourly | $14.40 | $14.40 | $22.84 |
| Yearly | $29,957 | $29,957 | $47,498 | |
| Peoria-Bloomington Area | Hourly | $15.27 | $22.05 | $31.43 |
| Yearly | $31,758 | $45,865 | $65,385 | |
| Quincy-Macomb-Galesburg Area | Hourly | $12.46 | $15.02 | $19.74 |
| Yearly | $25,919 | $31,242 | $41,054 | |
| Rock Island-Moline Area | Hourly | $13.49 | $19.38 | $30.64 |
| Yearly | $28,053 | $40,306 | $63,745 | |
| Rockford Area | Hourly | $14.48 | $15.58 | $20.77 |
| Yearly | $30,105 | $32,399 | $43,205 | |
| Springfield Area | Hourly | $15.39 | $19.73 | $24.33 |
| Yearly | $32,001 | $41,029 | $50,602 | |
| St. Louis-Belleville Area | Hourly | $14.39 | $17.67 | $23.07 |
| Yearly | $29,928 | $36,766 | $47,989 | |
| United States | Hourly | $14.93 | $19.31 | $28.73 |
| Yearly | $31,050 | $40,170 | $59,750 | |