How Much Does an NBA Photographer Make?
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An NBA photographer’s salary can vary based on experience and the number of games worked.
NBA Photographer Salaries by Team
Have you ever wondered how much an NBA photographer makes? NBA photographer salaries can range from $20,000 to $100,000, depending on the team they work for. The average salary for an NBA photographer is $40,000.
Los Angeles Lakers
The average salary for a Photographer is $52,856 per year in Los Angeles, CA, which is 18% above the national average. Salary estimates are based on 1,017 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by Photographer employees.
Chicago Bulls
The average salary for a Photographer is $50,849 per year in the United States. NBA photographers make an average of $58,464 per year. The top 10 percent of NBA photographers make more than $85,532 per year.
New York Knicks
The average salary for a New York Knicks photographer is $41,350 per year.
NBA Photographer Salaries by Conference
NBA photographers are among the highest-paid professional sports photographers. They make an average salary of $75,000 per year. However, salaries can range from $50,000 to $100,000 per year, depending on experience and location. NBA photographers in the Western Conference tend to make more than those in the Eastern Conference.
Eastern Conference
In the Eastern Conference, the average salary for an NBA photographer is $61,271 per year.
Western Conference
In the Western Conference, the average salary for an NBA photographer is $48,000. The range in salaries is fairly wide, with the lowest salary coming in at $30,000 and the highest salary reaching $60,000.
The most common salary for an NBA photographer in the Western Conference is $50,000. This means that half of all photographers in the conference make more than this amount and half make less.
The average salary for an NBA photographer in the Eastern Conference is slightly higher at $51,000. The range in salaries is also slightly higher, with the lowest salary coming in at $35,000 and the highest salary reaching $65,000.
NBA Photographer Salaries by Position
NBA photographers are responsible for photographing professional basketball games and players. The majority of NBA photographers are freelancers, and salaries vary depending on experience and position. Position titles include head photographer, assistant photographer, and photo editor.photographers
Head Photographer
The Head Photographer is responsible for the management and supervision of all photography staff and freelance photographers. They must be able to work well under pressure and have excellent time management skills. The Head Photographer must be able to think creatively to get the best possible photos. They will also be responsible for training new photographers. The salary range for a Head Photographer is $30,000-$60,000.
Assistant Photographer
Assistant photographers typically make between $35,000 and $45,000 annually. Those working for major league teams can earn closer to $50,000 or more. Experienced assistants working freelance can earn $100 per day or more.
Freelance Photographer
Freelance photographers are not employees of the NBA but are contracted to shoot specific games or events. They typically work on an as-needed basis and are paid per assignment. Rates can vary based on the scope of the project, the location, and the client, but freelance photographers can expect to earn $250-$500 per day.
NBA Photographer Salaries by Experience
NBA photographers make a great living. The average salary for an NBA photographer is $77,857 per year. However, salaries range from $33,567 to $183,857 per year. NBA photographers with 0-5 years of experience make an average of $52,000 per year. Those with 5-10 years of experience make an average of $67,000 per year. Experienced NBA photographers with 10-20 years of experience make an average of $82,000 per year. Finally, NBA photographers with more than 20 years of experience make an average of $95,000 per year.
Rookie Photographer
A rookie NBA photographer can expect to make an annual salary of $35,000. With no experience in the field, this is the starting salary for most positions. Those with some experience may be able to negotiate a higher salary, but it is not common.
Veteran Photographer
Veteran NBA photographers make a median salary of $85,000. Those with 16 to 20 years of experience can expect to earn an average total compensation of $79,000. Photographers with more than 20 years may make an even higher salary.
NBA Photographer Salaries by Market
NBA photographers earn a median salary of $55,000 per year, with a range from $35,000 to $85,000 per year. NBA photographers in the top three markets – New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago – earn a median salary of $65,000 per year. NBA photographers in the bottom three markets – Charlotte, Milwaukee, and Memphis – earn a median salary of $45,000 per year.
Small Market
As with many professional sports, NBA photographer salaries can vary greatly depending on the size of the market they work in. Generally speaking, photographers working in small markets will earn less than those working in larger markets. This is due to a number of factors, including the overall cost of living in a given area and the number of potential employers.
There are a few small markets where NBA photographer salaries are relatively high, such as New Orleans and Oklahoma City. This is due in part to the popularity of basketball in these cities and the fact that there are only a handful of teams in each market. As a result, photographers in these markets may have more opportunities to work with multiple teams and command higher rates.
Medium Market
The average salary for an NBA photographer in a medium market is $35,000-$45,000. These markets generally include cities with an NBA team but no major media outlets based there. In these markets, photographers usually work for the team itself or for local newspapers and magazines.
Large Market
Large market NBA photographers make an average salary of $53,590 per year. Photographers in these markets typically have more experience than those in smaller markets and may work for multiple publications.
