Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators

Arts, Audio/Video Technology and CommunicationsO*NET 51-9151.00United States

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.

COMING SOON See related ASU learning

Median annual earnings: $43,693
Projected change: −1.7%
Typical education: High school diploma or less
Employment: 6.72K jobs

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Build the skills

ASU learning related to this career

These courses and certificates are connected through catalog career relationships and Lightcast skill tags.

The work

What photographic process workers and processing machine operators do

Tasks reported for this occupation, ordered by how often they come up in the role.

Select digital images for printing, specify number of images to be printed, and direct to printer, using computer software.
Create prints according to customer specifications and laboratory protocols.
Produce color or black-and-white photographs, negatives, or slides, applying standard photographic reproduction techniques and procedures.
Set or adjust machine controls, according to specifications, type of operation, or material requirements.
Review computer-processed digital images for quality.
Operate scanners or related computer equipment to digitize negatives, photographic prints, or other images.
Fill tanks of processing machines with solutions such as developer, dyes, stop-baths, fixers, bleaches, or washes.
Measure and mix chemicals to prepare solutions for processing, according to formulas.
Load digital images onto computers directly from cameras or from storage devices, such as flash memory cards or universal serial bus (USB) devices.
Operate special equipment to perform tasks such as transferring film to videotape or producing photographic enlargements.
Examine developed prints for defects, such as broken lines, spots, or blurs.
Read work orders to determine required processes, techniques, materials, or equipment.
Load circuit boards, racks or rolls of film, negatives, or printing paper into processing or printing machines.
Insert processed negatives and prints into envelopes for delivery to customers.
Reprint originals for enlargement or in sections to be pieced together.
Clean or maintain photoprocessing or darkroom equipment, using ultrasonic equipment or cleaning and rinsing solutions.
Monitor equipment operation to detect malfunctions.
Maintain records, such as quantities or types of processing completed, materials used, or customer charges.

Pay and outlook

What the job pays and where it is heading

Annual earnings range

Reported earnings by percentile, United States

10th percentile: $25,103
25th percentile: $32,089
50th percentile: $43,693
75th percentile: $64,060
90th percentile: $104,366

The gold marker shows the median. Half earn more than $43,693 and half earn less.

Employment outlook

2025 to 2035 projection

−1.7%projected to decline

20256,716 jobs

2035 projected6,601 jobs

115 fewer positions over the decade, before replacement hiring.

Preparation

Education levels

What people currently working in the career hold. These are not entry requirements.

High school diploma or less: 84.3%
Some college: 7.7%
Bachelor's degree: 5.2%
Certificate: 2.1%
Associate degree: 0.7%

Skills

Skills employers ask for

Technical skills appearing most often in job postings for this occupation.

Merchandising
Order Fulfillment Management
Issuing Refunds
Asset Protection
Cash Register
Merchandise Exchanges
Order Delivery
Customer Demand Planning
Customer Support
Cash Handling
Merchandise Returns
Inventory Monitoring
Service Offerings
Supply Inventory
Regulatory Compliance
Retail Sales
Customer Complaint Resolution
Facility Repair And Maintenance
Loss Prevention
Order Picking

How the work gets done

Core competencies

Broad capabilities associated with strong performance in this occupation.

Operations Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Time Management: Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Persuasion: Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
Negotiation: Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Instructing: Teaching others how to do something.

In the market

Job titles and employers

Recent job postings in United States

Common job titles

01Photo Specialists1,761 postings
02Ink Technicians225 postings
03Photo Lab Technicians20 postings
04Photo Technicians19 postings
05Photography Technicians18 postings
06Photo Center Technicians11 postings
07Photo Booth Renters6 postings
08Photo Retouchers5 postings
09Photo Booth Attendants3 postings
10Photo/Video Interns3 postings
11Data Center Support Technicians2 postings
12Digital Imaging Technicians2 postings
13Head Photo Specialists2 postings
14Lot Attendants2 postings
15Manufacturing Technicians2 postings
16Operating Room Technicians2 postings
17Photography Sales Specialists2 postings
18Photography Studio Managers2 postings
19Bank Specialists1 postings
20Cashiers/Photo Technicians1 postings

Top employers

01Walgreens Boots Alliance1,723 postings
02Flint Group International Bv23 postings
03Flintgroup Na21 postings
04Sun Chemical Co.Ltd13 postings
05Inx International Ink Co.11 postings
06Goodwill9 postings
07Hubergroup USA8 postings
08PeopleShare8 postings
09American Packaging Corporation7 postings
10Amcor6 postings
11Multi-Color Corporation6 postings
12Futures Rehabilitation Center5 postings
13GIESECKE+DEVRIENT EPAYMENTS5 postings
14International Paper5 postings
15Printpack5 postings
16Resource Label Group5 postings
17Bloom Energy4 postings
18Echopark Automotive4 postings
19Giesecke & Devrient4 postings
20Photomatica4 postings

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