Photographer Salary in San Francisco, CA
Annual base compensation · May 2026 · BLS OES Survey Data
$65,000
▲ 0.9% YOY
Compensation Distribution
$35,000
10th Pct.
Junior
$45,000
25th Pct.
Entry-level
$65,000
50th Pct.
Median
$90,000
75th Pct.
Senior
$125,000
90th Pct.
Top earner
Open Positions
Find active Photographer roles in San Francisco
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Photographer salary in San Francisco?+
The median Photographer salary in San Francisco, CA is $65,000 per year as of May 2026. The middle 50% of earners fall between $45,000 and $90,000.
What is the entry-level Photographer salary in San Francisco?+
Entry-level Photographer positions in San Francisco typically start around $45,000 per year (25th percentile). With 2–4 years of experience, compensation climbs toward the market median of $65,000.
What do senior Photographers earn in San Francisco?+
Senior Photographers in San Francisco earn $90,000 at the 75th percentile and up to $125,000 at the 90th percentile, reflecting 6+ years of experience and management responsibilities.
How has the Photographer market changed in San Francisco?+
Year-over-year salary growth for Photographers in San Francisco stands at 0.9% as of May 2026, indicating moderate demand in the local market.
Photographer — Other Markets
| Market | 25th Pct. | Median | 75th Pct. | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | $45,000 | $60,000 | $85,000 | +0.9% |
| Seattle, WA | $40,000 | $55,000 | $80,000 | +0.9% |
| Boston, MA | $40,000 | $55,000 | $75,000 | +0.9% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $40,000 | $60,000 | $80,000 | +0.9% |
| San Diego, CA | $40,000 | $55,000 | $75,000 | +0.9% |
| Sacramento, CA | $35,000 | $50,000 | $70,000 | +0.9% |
| Washington DC, DC | $40,000 | $55,000 | $75,000 | +0.9% |
| Baltimore, MD | $35,000 | $45,000 | $65,000 | +0.9% |
San Francisco — Other Roles
| Role | 25th Pct. | Median | 75th Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | $140,000 | $190,000 | $240,000 |
| Full Stack Developer | $130,000 | $175,000 | $225,000 |
| Frontend Developer | $115,000 | $155,000 | $205,000 |
| Backend Developer | $130,000 | $170,000 | $220,000 |
| iOS Developer | $135,000 | $175,000 | $230,000 |
| Android Developer | $130,000 | $170,000 | $220,000 |