CDCareer Decision

Photographers Salary in San Luis Obispo, CA

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Photographers in San Luis Obispo, CA have a median annual salary of $48,790, with 40 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $36,180 at the 10th percentile to $74,690 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$48,790

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$23.46

Employment

40

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$36,180
10th
$39,380
25th
$48,790
Median
$63,820
75th
$74,690
90th

Local compared with national

San Luis Obispo, CA

$48,790

Median annual · 2025

United States

$44,660

Median annual · 2025

The San Luis Obispo, CA median is 9.2% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $4,130).

Top skills

  1. 1.Active ListeningImportance 3.8
  2. 2.SpeakingImportance 3.8
  3. 3.Service OrientationImportance 3.3
  4. 4.Reading ComprehensionImportance 3.1
  5. 5.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.1
  6. 6.Active LearningImportance 3.1
  7. 7.MonitoringImportance 3.1
  8. 8.Social PerceptivenessImportance 3.1
  9. 9.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 3.1
  10. 10.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 3.1
  11. 11.CoordinationImportance 3.0
  12. 12.Time ManagementImportance 3.0

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
Some College Courses
Experience
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
Job zone
3

Technology used

  • Adobe Acrobat
  • Adobe After Effects
  • Adobe Creative Cloud software
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Adobe InDesign
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Adobe Photoshop Lightroom
  • Apple Final Cut Pro
  • Apple macOS
  • Blinkbid
  • Cradoc fotoBiz
  • Email software
  • Facebook
  • Genbook
  • Google Drive

Common tasks

  • Load and unload film.
  • Write photograph captions.
  • Set up photographic exhibitions for the purpose of displaying and selling work.
  • Adjust apertures, shutter speeds, and camera focus according to a combination of factors, such as lighting, field depth, subject motion, film type, and film speed.
  • Create artificial light, using flashes and reflectors.
  • Determine desired images and picture composition, selecting and adjusting subjects, equipment, and lighting to achieve desired effects.
  • Transfer photographs to computers for editing, archiving, and electronic transmission.
  • Use traditional or digital cameras, along with a variety of equipment, such as tripods, filters, and flash attachments.
  • Manipulate and enhance scanned or digital images to create desired effects, using computers and specialized software.
  • Take pictures of individuals, families, and small groups, either in studio or on location.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Photographers salary in other locations

Other occupations in San Luis Obispo, CA