What is a Photographic Process Worker or Processing Machine Operator?
Occupation Description 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 Worker or Processing Machine Operator Responsibilities
- Operate machines to prepare circuit boards and to expose, develop, etch, fix, wash, dry, or print film or plates.
- Shade negatives or photographs with pencils to smooth facial contours, soften highlights, or conceal blemishes, stray hairs, or wrinkles.
- Produce timed prints with separate densities or color settings for each scene of a production.
- Operate special equipment to perform tasks such as transferring film to videotape or producing photographic enlargements.
- Retouch photographic negatives or original prints to correct defects.
- Fill tanks of processing machines with solutions such as developer, dyes, stop-baths, fixers, bleaches, or washes.
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Qualities of a Photographic Process Worker or Processing Machine Operator
When polled, Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Operation 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.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Other Photographic Process Worker or Processing Machine Operator Job Titles
- Film Technician
- Film Splicer
- Negative Restorer
- Projection Printer
- Screen Examiner
Photographic Process Worker or Processing Machine Operator Job Outlook
In the United States, there were 26,900 jobs for Photographic Process Worker or Processing Machine Operator in 2016. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Photographic Process Worker or Processing Machine Operator. There will be an estimated 3,300 positions for Photographic Process Worker or Processing Machine Operator per year.

The states with the most job growth for Photographic Process Worker or Processing Machine Operator are Maryland, Nevada, and Georgia. Watch out if you plan on working in Wyoming, Hawaii, or Delaware. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of a Photographic Process Worker or Processing Machine Operator
The typical yearly salary for Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators is somewhere between $21,050 and $53,200.

Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators who work in New York, Maryland, or California, make the highest salaries.
How much do Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Arizona | $35,820 |
California | $47,360 |
Colorado | $37,170 |
Connecticut | $33,410 |
Delaware | $33,410 |
Florida | $32,930 |
Georgia | $26,750 |
Hawaii | $32,000 |
Idaho | $44,880 |
Illinois | $37,700 |
Indiana | $24,770 |
Iowa | $29,150 |
Kansas | $33,660 |
Kentucky | $26,780 |
Louisiana | $44,280 |
Maryland | $35,740 |
Massachusetts | $33,980 |
Michigan | $31,340 |
Minnesota | $35,540 |
Missouri | $34,720 |
Nebraska | $32,200 |
Nevada | $31,500 |
New Hampshire | $32,470 |
New Jersey | $33,790 |
New Mexico | $29,600 |
New York | $45,300 |
North Carolina | $31,350 |
North Dakota | $31,290 |
Ohio | $32,200 |
Oklahoma | $27,590 |
Oregon | $39,570 |
Pennsylvania | $25,920 |
South Carolina | $28,970 |
South Dakota | $30,780 |
Tennessee | $25,820 |
Texas | $30,420 |
Utah | $31,440 |
Virginia | $27,820 |
Washington | $35,690 |
West Virginia | $31,330 |
Wisconsin | $30,180 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Access
- MySQL
- MongoDB
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Microsoft Publisher
- Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
How do I Become a Photographic Process Worker or Processing Machine Operator?
What education is needed to be a Photographic Process Worker or Processing Machine Operator?

What work experience do I need to become a Photographic Process Worker or Processing Machine Operator?

Where Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators Work

The table below shows the approximate number of Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators employed by various industries.

You May Also Be Interested In…
Those interested in being a Photographic Process Worker or Processing Machine Operator may also be interested in:
Are you already one of the many Photographic Process Worker or Processing Machine Operator in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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