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Photographers average salary by city in California
- San Francisco$83,790
- San Jose$75,490
- Los Angeles$73,520
- Santa Rosa$72,250
- Santa Maria$72,200
- San Diego$60,580
- San Luis Obispo$59,300
- Oxnard$56,670
- Bakersfield$56,240
- Sacramento$55,590
- Stockton$52,250
- Modesto$52,140
- Riverside$50,950
- Vallejo$49,640
- Fresno$45,310
Pay, take-home pay and cost of living
| City | Average | Median | 25th pct. | Take-home* | Cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $83,790 | $58,840 | $46,800 | $64,076 | 116 |
| San Jose | $75,490 | $52,470 | $42,760 | $58,970 | 110 |
| Los Angeles | $73,520 | $47,840 | $38,410 | $57,742 | 114 |
| Santa Rosa | $72,250 | $50,500 | $37,930 | $56,950 | 108 |
| Santa Maria | $72,200 | $55,220 | $43,690 | $56,919 | 109 |
| San Diego | $60,580 | $44,030 | $36,860 | $49,029 | 112 |
| San Luis Obispo | $59,300 | $48,790 | $39,380 | $48,077 | 109 |
| Oxnard | $56,670 | $43,870 | $36,170 | $46,122 | 111 |
| Bakersfield | $56,240 | $56,220 | $36,380 | $45,802 | 101 |
| Sacramento | $55,590 | $45,880 | $38,010 | $45,319 | 107 |
| Stockton | $52,250 | $46,620 | $36,860 | $42,835 | 105 |
| Modesto | $52,140 | $44,240 | $38,710 | $42,754 | 104 |
| Riverside | $50,950 | $43,710 | $38,740 | $41,869 | 106 |
| Vallejo | $49,640 | $43,040 | $43,010 | $40,895 | 108 |
| Fresno | $45,310 | $37,520 | $35,510 | $37,638 | 102 |
*Average salary after federal and state taxes for a single filer; California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included. Cost of living: BEA price parity, U.S. = 100.
Photographers salary in other states
More about pay in California
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.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
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