Photographers pay range in Indianapolis
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $29,420 a year or less, while the top 10% make $59,350 or more. The middle half of photographers in Indianapolis earn between $34,980 and $53,050.
- $29K10th
- $35K25th
- $37KMedian
- $53K75th
- $59K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $42,040 | $3,503 | $20.21 |
| Median | $37,040 | $3,087 | $17.81 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $34,980 | $2,915 | $16.82 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $53,050 | $4,421 | $25.50 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Photographers pay in Indianapolis vs. Indiana and the U.S.
Photographers in Indianapolis earn 3% more than the Indiana average ($40,650) and 24% less than the U.S. average ($55,410). At the median the gap is -17% against the U.S. median of $44,660.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis | $42,040 | $37,040 | $29,420 | $59,350 | 230 |
| Indiana | $40,650 | $35,960 | $24,960 | $59,350 | 810 |
| United States | $55,410 | $44,660 | $30,820 | $91,810 | 51,760 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Photographers salary after taxes in Indianapolis
On the average salary of $42,040, a single filer in Indianapolis takes home about $33,899 a year, or $2,825 a month and $1,304 every two weeks. Taxes take 19% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Includes Indianapolis's local income tax (2.02%).
Is Indianapolis a good place for photographers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Indianapolis area are 4% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 95.7), so the average $42,040 buys what about $43,931 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.8 times the median wage of all jobs in Indianapolis ($49,340). A typical home costs $295,921, or 7.0 years of this average salary before tax.
Photographers salary in other Indiana cities
Indianapolis ranks 2nd of 5 Indiana metro areas for this job; Lafayette pays the most ($42,220).
- Lafayette$42,220
- Indianapolis$42,040
- Fort Wayne$41,640
- Evansville$38,530
- South Bend$37,590
Highest-paying cities for photographers
San Francisco, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($83,790).
- San Francisco, CA$83,790
- San Jose, CA$75,490
- Los Angeles, CA$73,520
- Santa Rosa, CA$72,250
- Santa Maria, CA$72,200
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Photographers salary in Indianapolis: questions
How much do photographers make an hour in Indianapolis?
$20.21 an hour on average, and $17.81 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level photographers salary in Indianapolis?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $29,420 a year and the 25th percentile is $34,980, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the photographers take-home pay in Indianapolis?
About $33,899 a year ($2,825 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $42,040. Includes Indianapolis's local income tax (2.02%).
Do photographers earn more in Indianapolis than elsewhere?
The average here is 24% less than the U.S. average for this job ($55,410).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 27-4021; area Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN (26900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 3.0%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Includes Indianapolis's local income tax (2.02%).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.62, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.62).
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.