CreativeUpdated Q1 2026

Photographer Salary
in North Charleston, SC

Capture and edit photographic images for commercial, editorial, or artistic purposes. Median salary in North Charleston: $44K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$44K
per year
Take-home: $28K

Salary range in North Charleston

Entry level (25th)$30,000
Median (50th)$44,000
Senior (75th)$65,000
Top earner (90th)$95,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in North Charleston, South Carolina. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial · How we calculate this →

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What the numbers say for North Charleston

Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above — specific to this role and city.

4% discount vs national median

Photographers in North Charleston earn approximately 4% lower than the US national median for this role — a $2,000 discount on annual base salary. North Charleston's lower wage level partially reflects the area's cost-of-living index of 95 (US avg = 100).

Rent eats 58% of take-home

Average 1-bedroom rent in North Charleston ($1,350/mo) consumes approximately 58% of an after-tax median Photographer salary. Financial planners typically recommend keeping housing under 30% of take-home — a salary at the 75th percentile ($65K) brings that ratio into a more comfortable range here.

Key facts for North Charleston

Median salary
$44K
annual
Take-home pay
$28K
after fed/state tax
COL index
95
100 = US avg
State income tax
6.5%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$1,350
per month
YoY growth
+3%
salary trend

Salary forecast: North Charleston Photographer to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $44K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast — North Charleston

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
Photographer salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED →$37K$40K$44K$47K$50K201920212023202520272029
2026
$45K
projected
2027
$46K
projected
2028
$47K
projected
2029
$49K
projected
2030
$50K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$44,000+$0
2028 projected$44,000+$0
2029 projected$44,000+$0
2030 projected$44,000+$0

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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Photographer Salary in North Charleston, South Carolina: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Photographer salary in North Charleston, SC is $44,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the North Charleston–SC metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for Photographer in North Charleston

Entry-level Photographers in North Charleston with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $30,000 and $44,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $44,000 to $65,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $65,000 to $95,000 or more.

Cost of living in North Charleston for Photographers

North Charleston has a cost of living index of 95 compared to the US national average of 100. This means your salary goes approximately 5% further in North Charleston than the national average. South Carolina has a 6.5% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for Photographer

Bachelor's in Photography or Fine Arts; portfolio required. 45% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.

Photographer salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
North Charleston (current)$44K95
Columbia$39K88
Charleston$44K105
Greenville$42K92