Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators earn a median of $40,610 per year ($19.52/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to fall 5.6% through 2035, with about 600 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 51-9151
- Production
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Photographic Process Worker and Processing Machine Operator in four numbers
- Median pay
- $40,610a year, or $19.52/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $30KTop 10% $69K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -5.6%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−5.6%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −5.6% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 6005,300 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 20255.3K
- Projected 20355K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 5.3K Projected 2035 5K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school0.3%
- High school84.1%
- Certificate2.1%
- Some college7.7%
- Associate's0.7%
- Bachelor's5.2%
Highest education held by photographic process workers and processing machine operators Segment Value Less than high school 0.3% High school 84.1% Certificate 2.1% Some college 7.7% Associate's 0.7% Bachelor's 5.2%
Also advertised as: Digital Printer Operator, Film Processor, Film Technician, Lab Technician, Photo Lab Specialist, Photo Lab Technician (Photographic Laboratory Technician).
Pay
How much do Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators make?
Every photographic process worker and processing machine operator in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$40,610
Middle half earn $35,170 to $50,150
- 10th
- $30,090
- 25th
- $35,170
- 75th
- $50,150
- 90th
- $68,800
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $30,090 |
| 25th | $35,170 |
| Median | $40,610 |
| 75th | $50,150 |
| 90th | $68,800 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $40,610
- Median hourly wage
- $19.52/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $46,050
- People employed
- 4,800
Versus all US occupations
At $40,610, Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators earn 20% below the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $10,370 a year.
Versus production occupations
Inside the Production group, where the middle occupation pays $48,030, this is 15% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $68,800 or more while the bottom 10% earn $30,090, a gap of 2.3×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 8% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
New York pays the most at $57,760, and still leads at $53,521 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1New York | $57,760 | $53,521 | 400 |
| 2Virginia | $47,380 | $46,863 | 110 |
| 3California | $47,320 | $42,738 | 740 |
| 4Florida | $46,840 | $45,294 | 450 |
| 5Wisconsin | $46,480 | $49,397 | 60 |
| 6Washington | $46,280 | $43,247 | 80 |
| 7Maryland | $45,600 | $43,446 | 200 |
| 8Iowa | $43,310 | $49,349 | 90 |
| 9New Jersey | $43,300 | $39,796 | 110 |
| 10Delaware | $42,220 | $42,301 | 30 |
Job outlook
Is Photographic Process Worker and Processing Machine Operator a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -5.6% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators | −5.6% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators to change -5.6% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 300 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 600 openings are projected each year, 11.3% of the 5,300 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become a Photographic Process Worker and Processing Machine Operator
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Short-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Little or no preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as photographic process workers and processing machine operators.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)84.1%
- Some College Courses7.7%
- Bachelor's Degree5.2%
- Post-Secondary Certificate2.1%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree0.7%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 84.1% |
| Some College Courses | 7.7% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 5.2% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 2.1% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 0.7% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Photographic Process Worker and Processing Machine Operator do?
Perform work involved in developing and processing photographic images from film or digital media. May perform precision tasks such as editing photographic negatives and prints.
Day-to-day tasks
- Create prints according to customer specifications and laboratory protocols.
- Review computer-processed digital images for quality.
- Load digital images onto computers directly from cameras or from storage devices, such as flash memory cards or universal serial bus (USB) devices.
- Select digital images for printing, specify number of images to be printed, and direct to printer, using computer software.
- Operate scanners or related computer equipment to digitize negatives, photographic prints, or other images.
- Set or adjust machine controls, according to specifications, type of operation, or material requirements.
- Insert processed negatives and prints into envelopes for delivery to customers.
- Maintain records, such as quantities or types of processing completed, materials used, or customer charges.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely importantDealing with customers or the public is very important.
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Active Listening3.4
- Reading Comprehension3.3
- Speaking3.3
- Critical Thinking3.1
- Monitoring3.1
- Active Learning2.9
- Writing2.8
- Learning Strategies2.5
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | 3.4 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.3 |
| Speaking | 3.3 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.1 |
| Monitoring | 3.1 |
| Active Learning | 2.9 |
| Writing | 2.8 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Operations Monitoring3.5
- Quality Control Analysis3.4
- Service Orientation3.3
- Complex Problem Solving3.1
- Operation and Control3.1
- Judgment and Decision Making3.0
- Time Management3.0
- Social Perceptiveness2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 3.5 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.4 |
| Service Orientation | 3.3 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.1 |
| Operation and Control | 3.1 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.0 |
| Time Management | 3.0 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Application server software · in demand
- Data base management system software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Desktop publishing software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- File versioning software · in demand
- Graphics or photo imaging software · in demand
- Object or component oriented development software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Photographic Process Worker and Processing Machine Operator?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Photographic Process Worker and Processing Machine Operator |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 5 |
| Investigative | 2 |
| Artistic | 3 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic5.5
- Conventional5.2
- Artistic2.9
- Investigative2.1
- Social1.1
- Enterprising1.1
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Photographic Process Worker and Processing Machine Operator
O*NET related occupations
- Production
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairer
$52,720median a year
Most earn $34K to $84K
−15.5%High school - Production
- Production
- Office and Administrative Support
- Production
Painting, Coating, and Decorating Worker
$41,600median a year
Most earn $31K to $61K
+1.3%No formal credential
More production careers
Median annual pay, with photographic process workers and processing machine operators highlighted
- Power Plant Operator$102,040
- Tool and Die Maker$64,050
- Machinist$58,750
- Welder$53,750
- Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter$51,330
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator$50,690
- Photographic Process Worker and Processing Machine Operator$40,610
- Butcher and Meat Cutter$40,140
- Baker$37,160
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Plant Operator | $102,040 |
| Tool and Die Maker | $64,050 |
| Machinist | $58,750 |
| Welder | $53,750 |
| Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter | $51,330 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $50,690 |
| Photographic Process Worker and Processing Machine Operator | $40,610 |
| Butcher and Meat Cutter | $40,140 |
| Baker | $37,160 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Photographic Process Worker and Processing Machine Operator appears on
Questions
Photographic Process Worker and Processing Machine Operator: frequently asked questions
How much do Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators make?
Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators earn a median of $40,610 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 20% below the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $19.52/hr. The middle half earn between $35,170 and $50,150. The top 10% earn $68,800 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Photographic Process Worker and Processing Machine Operator?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators. BLS also lists short-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 84.1% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Photographic Process Worker and Processing Machine Operator a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 5.6% over 2025–2035, a loss of 300 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 600 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Photographic Process Worker and Processing Machine Operator do?
Perform work involved in developing and processing photographic images from film or digital media. A core O*NET task: create prints according to customer specifications and laboratory protocols. Employers most often ask for Application server software, Data base management system software, Data base user interface and query software.
Which states pay Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators the most?
The highest state medians for Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators are New York ($57,760), Virginia ($47,380), California ($47,320) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Photographic Process Worker and Processing Machine Operator?
O*NET scores Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators highest on the Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.