Photographer Salary in Nashville, TN — 2026 Guide
Estimated salaries are adjusted for Nashville's cost of living (index: 112). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.
Photographer Salary in Nashville — Key Numbers
Cost of Living in Nashville
Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.
Job Market in Nashville
Nashville has a metro population of 2,020,000, offering a large, diverse job market with many employers across all industries. The 2.9% unemployment rate is below the national average, suggesting a tight labor market favorable to job seekers.
Financial Calculators for Nashville
Other Professions in Nashville
Photographer Salary — Other Tennessee Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Photographer make in Nashville, TN?
The estimated median salary for a Photographer in Nashville is $47,902 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $42,770 adjusted by Nashville's cost of living index (112). The typical salary range runs from $34,126 (25th percentile) to $70,504 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $103,634.
Is Nashville affordable for a Photographer?
On a $47,902 annual salary, a Photographer in Nashville would spend approximately 39.0% of gross monthly income on median rent ($1,556/month). This exceeds the 35% cost-burden threshold. Many Photographers in Nashville may find housing costs a significant financial pressure. The median home price of $445,000 is 9.3× the annual salary.
How does a Photographer's salary compare to Nashville's overall income?
Nashville's median household income is $72,200. A Photographer earning the city-adjusted median of $47,902 earns 33.7% less than the typical Nashville household income. This may reflect that the profession is entry-level or that Nashville has a particularly high median household income due to high-earning industries.
Explore More Salary Data
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.