Paycheck Atlas

Photographers salary in Santa Maria, CA

The median photographers in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA earns $55,220 a year, 24% above the US median. After tax that is roughly $3,557 a month.

10th percentile
$36,320
25th percentile
$43,690
Median percentile
$55,220
75th percentile
$70,520
90th percentile
$85,450

Based on 60 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

$42,684 take-home a year
Gross pay$55,220
Federal income tax−$4,446
Social Security + Medicare−$4,224
California income tax (approx.)−$3,865
Monthly take-home$3,557
Every two weeks$1,642

Does it go far here?

$50,755Median pay in Santa Maria, CA is worth this at average US prices (local price level 108.8 vs 100).
60%of take-home pay goes to the median rent ($2,131 a month, Census ACS).

Top-paying jobs in Santa Maria, CA

JobMedian pay
Computer and Information Systems Managers$207,760
Lawyers$170,970
Managers, All Other$167,090
Financial Managers$164,270
Software Developers$158,290
Registered Nurses$137,360
Medical and Health Services Managers$130,290
Computer Occupations, All Other$128,390

All photographers salaries · Take-home pay in California