The median hourly wage of photographers was $14.00 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $8.34, and the top 10 percent earned more than $30.48.
Photographers in the District of Columbia earned the highest hourly median wage, earning $23.57 in May 2010.
Many photographers work part time. Hours often are flexible so they can meet with current and potential clients or visit the sites where they will work. Demand for certain types of photographers may fluctuate with the season. For example, the demand for wedding photographers typically increases in the spring and summer.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition