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Photographer Salary in Kansas City, Missouri

Updated 2026-04-05BLS 2024 data — be the first to add a local report

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$36,555/ year

Median Photographer in Kansas City, MO

$20,894
10th
$25,480
25th
$36,555
Median
$51,870
75th
$63,281
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$36,555
Total compensation (est.)
$42,038
Bonus range
$1,400 – $6,840
Mean salary
$38,748

How This Compares

Kansas City, MO median
$36,555
Missouri median
$40,973-10.8%
National median
$40,170-9.0%

Cost of living in Kansas City is 9% below the national average. Salary of $36,555 here is equivalent to $40,170 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$26,320-28.0%
3-5 years
$33,265-9.0%
6-10 years
$40,942+12.0%
10+ years
$50,446+38.0%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$32,168-12.0%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$36,555
Enterprise (5,000+)
$43,135+18.0%

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Photographer Salaries in Nearby Cities

St. Louis, MO$35,751/yr
Springfield, MO$40,170/yr
Columbia, MO$40,170/yr
Independence, MO$40,170/yr

Related Jobs in Kansas City

Graphic Designer$54,573/yr
Content Writer$67,058/yr
Copywriter$67,058/yr
Video Editor$57,112/yr
Social Media Manager$126,244/yr

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$18/hr
Monthly gross$3,046/mo
25th percentile$25,480/yr
75th percentile$51,870/yr

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Market Context

via FRED

Fed Funds Rate

Mar 2026

3.64%

Inflation (CPI)

year-over-year

2.4%+0.04

National Unemployment

Mar 2026

4.3%-0.10

Missouri Unemployment

Dec 2025

3.9%-0.10

Avg Hourly Earnings

all private workers

$37.38+$0.09

10yr Treasury

Apr 2026

4.31%

Source: St. Louis Fed (FRED). Updated daily.

Photographer Salaries by City

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Photographer salary in Kansas City?

The median Photographer salary in Kansas City is $36,555 per year, with a range from $25,480 at the 25th percentile to $51,870 at the 75th percentile. Total compensation including bonuses typically runs higher — see the breakdown above for the full picture.

How does Photographer pay in Kansas City compare to the national average?

Photographer salaries in Kansas City are 9% below the national median of $40,170. After adjusting for Kansas City's cost of living, the purchasing power of that salary is equivalent to roughly $40,170 nationally — which is the number that actually matters when comparing offers across cities.

What factors affect Photographer salaries in Kansas City?

In Kansas City, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level Photographer roles start around $20,894, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $63,281 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is Kansas City a good place for Photographer jobs?

Kansas City offers a Photographer median of $36,555, which is 9% below the US median of $40,170. Whether that makes it a good market depends on your personal cost-of-living equation — Kansas City is 9% cheaper than the national average, so factor that into your math.

How do I negotiate a higher Photographer salary?

Start with the data on this page: the 75th percentile for Photographer in Kansas City is $51,870, which is a defensible anchor for a negotiation. Come in with a specific number backed by real market data — not a range — and reference your experience tier. If you're above the median, ask for the 75th percentile. If you're already at the 75th, push for total comp improvements like equity or bonus instead.