Photographers salary in San Diego, CA
The median photographers in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA earns $44,030 a year, 1% below the US median. After tax that is roughly $2,873 a month.
- 10th percentile
- $36,670
- 25th percentile
- $36,860
- Median percentile
- $44,030
- 75th percentile
- $60,980
- 90th percentile
- $74,500
Based on 620 employed. Data period: BLS OEWS May 2025. Percentiles show the spread of pay, not experience; reading the 25th percentile as "entry level" is only an approximation.
What you keep
$34,476 take-home a year
| Gross pay | $44,030 |
| Federal income tax | −$3,104 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$3,368 |
| California income tax (approx.) | −$3,082 |
| Monthly take-home | $2,873 |
| Every two weeks | $1,326 |
Does it go far here?
$39,352Median pay in San Diego, CA is worth this at average US prices (local price level 111.9 vs 100).
78%of take-home pay goes to the median rent ($2,246 a month, Census ACS).
Top-paying jobs in San Diego, CA
| Job | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Physicians, All Other | $323,050 |
| Family Medicine Physicians | $295,530 |
| Pediatricians, General | $262,650 |
| Chief Executives | $238,440 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $207,200 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $206,740 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $202,810 |
| Lawyers | $178,220 |