Home > Salary > South Africa > Freelance Photographer
A freelance photographer is a self-employed professional who specializes in capturing images for various purposes. They work on a project basis, taking on assignments from clients such as individuals, businesses, or organizations. The occupation requires a combination of technical skills, creativity, and business acumen. Freelance photographers are responsible for conceptualizing, planning, and executing photo shoots, ensuring that they meet the client's requirements and vision. They may specialize in different areas such as portrait photography, fashion photography, event photography, or nature photography.
Estimated Yearly Salary: 138,690 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 11,558 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,667 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 67 ZAR per hour
Values are pre-tax
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Estimated Monthly Salary: 11,208 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,587 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 65 ZAR per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-06
Estimated Yearly Salary: 6,953 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 579 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 134 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 3 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
3 %
Data confidence is - relatively high
Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
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Estimated Yearly Salary: 138,690 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 11,558 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,667 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 67 ZAR per hour
By working as Freelance Photographer a person can save up to 308 USD per month or 3,699 USD yearly. Values are pre-tax.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in South Africa, see costs of living in South Africa.
Estimated Yearly Salary for Freelance Photographer
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Data as of 2025
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Freelance Photographer salary in South Africa
Average Yearly Salary of Freelance Photographer in South Africa is approximately 138,690 ZAR (6,953 USD). Data is for 2025 and indicates a pre-tax value. The salary itself depends on multiple factors such as seniority, job performance, certifications, experience or any other bonuses. The value indicated is an average amount based on records we have in database. Real values may vary. The data is for orientational purposes.
What does Freelance Photographer do?

Skills: freelance photographer, photography, self-employed, creative, client assignments, photo shoots.
Job industry: Arts and entertainment
Job industry: Arts and entertainment
How much does Freelance Photographer make?
Salary details
How much does Freelance Photographer make?Estimated Yearly Salary: 138,690 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 11,558 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,667 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 67 ZAR per hour
Comparing salary to last year:
Estimated Yearly Salary: 134,500 ZAREstimated Monthly Salary: 11,208 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,587 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 65 ZAR per hour
Freelance Photographer estimated salary in USD
For easier comparison here is an estimated salary in USD:Estimated Yearly Salary: 6,953 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 579 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 134 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 3 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
About these results
Data confidence is - relatively high Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
Want to check how your salary compares? Submit your own salary here
Compare salary to other countries
Please type in your occupation and select desired country to see latest trends in salaries.
Country:
Salary comparison to National average
South Africa is a diverse and vibrant country located at the southernmost tip of the African continent. It has a population of approximately 59 million people and covers an area of around 1.2 million square kilometers. The country is known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and abundant wildlife.
Estimated national average yearly salary is 126,956 ZAR (6,780 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Freelance Photographer job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Freelance Photographer in South Africa earns on average:
1.09 times the average salary (or 109% of average salary).
Estimated national average yearly salary is 126,956 ZAR (6,780 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Freelance Photographer job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Freelance Photographer in South Africa earns on average:
1.09 times the average salary (or 109% of average salary).
Is Freelance Photographer a well paid job?
Yes, our data show that Freelance Photographer is an averagely well paid job that still allows for some yearly savings. With years and experience the salary might increase even further, resulting in higher satisfaction.What is considered a high salary for Freelance Photographer?
High salary for Freelance Photographer would be somewhere between 152,559 ZAR and 201,101 ZAR. However this is an estimation based on Gaussian Distribution.How much can you save working as Freelance Photographer in South Africa?
Living in South Africa the approximate monthly expenses are: 271 USD. This amount covers basic needs such as food, housing, clothing, healthcare and education costs for a single person. No luxury expenses such as traveling, leisure, hobbies are included in the estimation.Estimated Yearly Salary: 138,690 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 11,558 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,667 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 67 ZAR per hour
By working as Freelance Photographer a person can save up to 308 USD per month or 3,699 USD yearly. Values are pre-tax.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in South Africa, see costs of living in South Africa.
Salary comparison to region and neighbouring coutries
Country's neighbours are: Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Eswatini, Lesotho. To make it easier for comparison a conversion from local currency to USD has been made (conversion rates may vary).Estimated Yearly Salary for Freelance Photographer
Salary increase per years of experience
Based on data available the salary increase per years of experience is as following- 0 years (beginner) equals base salary
- 1 to 5 years of experience yields
- 6 to 10 years of experience yields
- 11 to 15 years of experience yields
- 16 to 25 years of experience yields
- more than 25 years of experience yields
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Random salary:
Hims clerk (78,253 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Kitchen bath sales consultant (109,185 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Electronics engineer (but not computer) (211,360 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Health screener (71,940 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Licensing coordinator (104,111 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
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