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.
Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators
SOC: 51-9151 O*NET: 51-9151.00
Median Salary
$40,100
per year
Job Growth
📉 -2.6%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1.5
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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.
What does a Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$30,840
10th percentile
Early Career
$34,460
25th percentile
Median
$40,100
50th percentile
Experienced
$51,590
75th percentile
Top Earners
$69,290
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$30,840
25th
$34,460
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$40,100
Mean: $46,050
75th
$51,590
90th
$69,290
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $38,450 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $34,460 and $51,590
- •Salary spread is 42.7% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 5,550 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:11,200
Top Industries
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services34.6%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services34.6%
Photographic Services32.8%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-2.6%
Annual Openings:1,500
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)11,200
Current
2034 (Projected)10,900
-2.6%
-300
Employment Change
-2.6%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 29 locations
California
940 jobs$45,8501.45x
Michigan
720 jobs$51,5904.53x
North Carolina
460 jobs$33,5902.61x
Pennsylvania
350 jobs$36,1301.61x
New York
340 jobs$72,1600.98x
Indiana
260 jobs$36,2902.22x
Texas
190 jobs$37,9800.38x
Florida
170 jobs$35,9600.48x
Virginia
130 jobs$36,4300.86x
Maryland
120 jobs$50,7701.25x
Utah
110 jobs$40,2501.78x
Tennessee
100 jobs$31,3700.82x
Georgia
100 jobs$29,8300.56x
Wisconsin
90 jobs$44,7500.87x
New Jersey
90 jobs$41,2500.56x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operations Monitoring
100%
#2
Active Listening
94%
#3
Quality Control Analysis
86%
#4
Reading Comprehension
80%
#5
Service Orientation
74%
#6
Speaking
66%
#7
Complex Problem Solving
60%
#8
Monitoring
54%
#9
Critical Thinking
46%
#10
Operation and Control
40%
Skills Overview
Operations Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.7
94%
Quality Control Analysis
intermediate4.3
86%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.0
80%
Service Orientation
intermediate3.7
74%
Speaking
intermediate3.3
66%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.0
60%
Monitoring
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Active Listening
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Quality Control Analysis
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Operation and Control
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders90%
5 shared skills
Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic90%
5 shared skills
Power Plant Operators82%
5 shared skills
Etchers and Engravers80%
5 shared skills
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders80%
5 shared skills
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders80%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
Learn on the Job:
- →Speaking
- →Monitoring
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Quality Control Analysis
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Quality Control Analysis
- ★Active Listening
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Service Orientation
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Docker
🔥 Hot TechMongoDB
🔥 Hot TechAmazon Web Services AWS software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechMySQL
🔥 Hot TechStructured query language SQL
🔥 Hot TechAdobe InDesign
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechGit
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Creative Cloud software
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Illustrator
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Docker
MongoDB
Amazon Web Services AWS software
Microsoft Access
MySQL
Structured query language SQL
Adobe InDesign
Microsoft Outlook
SAP software
Git
Adobe Creative Cloud software
Adobe Illustrator
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (11)Planning & Development (3)Management & Supervision (2)Documentation & Record-Keeping (3)Operations & Execution (2)
1
Create prints according to customer specifications and laboratory protocols.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Examine developed prints for defects, such as broken lines, spots, or blurs.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development97% perform98%
3
Fill tanks of processing machines with solutions such as developer, dyes, stop-baths, fixers, bleaches, or washes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development94% perform96%
4
Immerse film, negatives, paper, or prints in developing solutions, fixing solutions, and water to complete photographic development processes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development91% perform94%
5
Insert processed negatives and prints into envelopes for delivery to customers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Load circuit boards, racks or rolls of film, negatives, or printing paper into processing or printing machines.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Load digital images onto computers directly from cameras or from storage devices, such as flash memory cards or universal serial bus (USB) devices.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision82% perform88%
8
Maintain records, such as quantities or types of processing completed, materials used, or customer charges.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping79% perform86%
9
Measure and mix chemicals to prepare solutions for processing, according to formulas.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping76% perform84%
10
Monitor equipment operation to detect malfunctions.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators professionals typically have a RCA Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
AArtistic
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.57
Independence
Very ImportantIndependence
Importance Level4.33
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.30
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.30
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.29
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.18
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.6
Independence
4.3
Self-Control
4.3
Dependability
4.3
Cooperation
4.3
Integrity
4.2
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.1
Analytical Thinking
3.9
Initiative
3.9
Concern for Others
3.8
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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