Photographers pay range in South Bend
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $21,830 a year or less, while the top 10% make $54,810 or more. The middle half of photographers in South Bend earn between $31,200 and $41,600.
- $22K10th
- $31K25th
- $36KMedian
- $42K75th
- $55K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $37,590 | $3,132 | $18.07 |
| Median | $35,920 | $2,993 | $17.27 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $31,200 | $2,600 | $15.00 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $41,600 | $3,467 | $20.00 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Photographers pay in South Bend vs. Indiana and the U.S.
Photographers in South Bend earn 8% less than the Indiana average ($40,650) and 32% less than the U.S. average ($55,410). At the median the gap is -20% against the U.S. median of $44,660.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Bend | $37,590 | $35,920 | $21,830 | $54,810 | 40 |
| 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 South Bend
On the average salary of $37,590, a single filer in South Bend takes home about $30,646 a year, or $2,554 a month and $1,179 every two weeks. Taxes take 18% of gross pay.
The South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in MI | $31,032 | $2,586 |
| Working in IN | $30,646 | $2,554 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Includes South Bend's local income tax (1.75%).
Is South Bend a good place for photographers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the South Bend area are 7% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 92.9), so the average $37,590 buys what about $40,481 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.8 times the median wage of all jobs in South Bend ($46,540). A typical home costs $238,866, or 6.4 years of this average salary before tax.
Photographers salary in other Indiana cities
South Bend ranks 5th 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
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Photographers salary in South Bend: questions
How much do photographers make an hour in South Bend?
$18.07 an hour on average, and $17.27 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level photographers salary in South Bend?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $21,830 a year and the 25th percentile is $31,200, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the photographers take-home pay in South Bend?
About $30,646 a year ($2,554 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $37,590. Includes South Bend's local income tax (1.75%).
Do photographers earn more in South Bend than elsewhere?
The average here is 32% 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 South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI (43780). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.9%.
- 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 South Bend's local income tax (1.75%).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.89, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
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