The average Photographer salary in South Africa is R154,500.00 annually. Photographers use their skills to capture moments in time, and their work requires both technical and creative abilities. A photographer’s job is extremely demanding, requiring flexibility and working on public holidays and weekends.
Because the job of a photographer is demanding, employers frequently offer bonuses to photographers. According to Salary Expert, the average annual bonus for a photographer is R6,327.00. Their annual bonuses range from R200.00 to R78,000.00 per year.
Bonuses vary by employer, and each employer decides whether or not to award performance bonuses. According to Salary Explorer, in 2021, only 27% of photographers received a bonus, while 73% did not.
The bonus accounts for 1% to 3% of the annual salary of the 27% of photographers who received one in 2021. This is extremely low when considering that most professions’ annual performance bonuses account for 5% of their annual salary on average.
Photographers earn commissions in addition to bonuses. Photographer commissions in South Africa range from R0.00 to R17,000.00 per year. A photographer’s bonus and commissions can account for up to 5% of his or her annual salary.
The majority of men work in the field of photography. Men make up 55% of the workforce, while women make up 45% of the workforce. Men also command a higher salary than women working as photographers, earning 8% more.
In addition to gender, there are other factors that influence a photographer’s salary. Below, we look at the factors that influence a photographer’s salary.
Factors that influence the salary of a photographer
Level of Education
A photographer’s level of education has a significant impact on their earning potential. Photographers with a high school degree earn the least in South Africa, with an average monthly salary of R17,500.00.
Photographers with a diploma can expect to earn a monthly salary of R25,200.00. The salary of a photographer with a diploma is 43% higher than the salary of a photographer with a high school education.
Photographers with a Bachelor’s degree earn an average monthly salary of R34,800.00. Photographers with a Bachelor’s degree earn 38% more on average than photographers with a diploma.
City of Employment
The city in which a photographer works has a significant impact on their salary. Even though urban cities pay the most for photographers, working in cities such as Durban, Cape Town, Johannesburg, and East London can improve one’s salary prospects.
Employer
The employer for whom a photographer works can make or break their earning potential. Working for a more rewarding employer is important for photographers because it allows them to earn bonuses, commissions, and other employer benefits.
Here are some of the best photography companies to work for:
- Media24;
- Highbury Media; and
- Sirens Media.
The level of experience is another factor that influences a Photographer’s salary. Below, we examine how a photographer’s level of experience impacts his or her salary.
Salary of a Photographer based on their level of experience
Salary of a Photographer with 0 – 2 years of work experience in 2022
A Photographer with 0 to 2 years of experience can expect to earn R14,800.00 per month on average. Entry-level photographers are the lowest paid in this category, with monthly salaries as low as R13,000.00.
Photographers with 2 years of work experience earn the most in this category, with an average monthly salary of R16,190.00. A photographer with a bachelor’s degree and 2 years of experience can earn up to R18,000.00 per month.
Salary of a Photographer with 3 – 5 years of work experience in 2022
A Photographer with 3 to 5 years of experience can expect to earn R19,900.00 per month on average. The salary represents a 34% increase over the average salary of Photographers with 0 to 2 years of experience.
Photographers with 5 years of experience earn the most in this category, with an average monthly salary of R22,260.00. Photographers with a Matric certificate and 3 years of experience earn the least, with an average monthly salary of R18,800.00.
Salary of a Photographer with 6 – 10 years of work experience in 2022
A Photographer with 6 to 10 years of experience earns an average monthly salary of R25,800.00. The salary represents a 30% increase over the average salary of Photographers with 3 to 5 years of experience.
Photographers with 10 years of experience and a Bachelor’s degree earn the most in this category, with an average monthly salary of R28,400.00. Photographers with six years of work experience earn the least, with an average monthly salary of R23,200.00.
Salary of a Photographer with 11 – 15 years of work experience in 2022
A Photographer with 11 to 15 years of experience can expect to earn R31,300.00 per month on average. The salary represents a 21% increase over the average salary of Photographers with 6 to 10 years of experience.
Photographers with 15 years of experience earn the most in this category, with an average monthly salary of R32,900.00. Photographers with 11 years of experience earn the least, with an average monthly salary of R29,590.00.
Salary of a Photographer with 16 – 20 years of work experience in 2022
A Photographer with 16 to 20 years of experience earns an average monthly salary of R34,200.00. The salary represents a 9% increase over the average salary of Photographers with 11 to 15 years of experience.
Photographers with 20+ years of experience earn the most, with an average monthly salary of R36,000.00. A photographer with 20+ years of experience’s monthly salary can reach R38,400.00.
Conclusion
A photographer’s salary may not be as high as other professions, but it is significantly higher than the national average. High salary increases are often earned by those who stay in the profession for a longer period of time.
