Photographer salary in California

The average salary for a Photographer is $23.83 per hour in California. This figure is based on 1.7k salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months, last updated on August 16, 2026.

Find your next high paying job as a Photographer in California on Indeed today

Photographer salaries in California typically range between a low of $16.90 and a high of $42.62 per hour, depending on experience and the hiring company.

Some of the highest-paying cities for Photographer in California include San Francisco, CA at $42.08 per hour, South San Francisco, CA at $30.57 per hour, and Los Angeles, CA at $28.54 per hour.

Based on recent job postings on Indeed, some of the top-paying companies for Photographer in California include Junket ($343,200 per year) and SmartShoot ($262,600 per year).

Compensation can vary based on the specific niche and level of responsibility within the field. Here is how the average Photographer salary in California compares to related positions:

• Junior Photographer: Average $28.64 per hour
• Senior Photographer: Average $23.21 per hour