Pay by Role
Australia · Salary comparison

Photographer vs Social Media Manager salary

In Australia, a social media manager earns about 15% more than a photographer $104,096 vs $90,910 per year.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is AUD). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

Creative
Photographer
$90,910/yr
Monthly
$7,564
Hourly
$44
Range
$54,060$135,880
10-yr outlook
+4%
Pays more
Creative
Social Media Manager
$104,096/yr
Monthly
$8,675
Hourly
$50
Range
$66,621$149,898
10-yr outlook
+10%

Pay range, side by side

PercentilePhotographerSocial Media Manager
Entry (10th)$54,060$66,621
25th$72,520$85,358
Median$90,910$104,096
75th$113,395$126,997
Senior (90th)$135,880$149,898

National Australia figures in AUD. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Creative comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a photographer or social media manager earn more in Australia?
A social media manager earns more, at about $150,000 per year vs $131,000 for a photographer — roughly 15% ($19,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in Australia?
A photographer typically earns $77,900–$195,800, while a social media manager earns $96,000–$216,000 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in Australia?
On a monthly basis before tax, a photographer averages about $10,900 and a social media manager about $12,500.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in Australia, a photographer earns about $77,900 while a social media manager earns about $96,000 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in Australia, a photographer earns about $195,800 while a social media manager earns about $216,000 per year.
Are photographer and social media manager similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Creative category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.