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Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators in Massachusetts

Thinking about a career as a Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators in Massachusetts? Here’s what the data says. 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 do Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators Make in Massachusetts?

For photographic process workers and processing machine operators working in Massachusetts, wages run about $37,230 per year (or roughly $17.90/hour).Annual wages span from $35,490 at the 10th percentile to $41,480 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic	Annual	Hourly
10th percentile	$35,490	$17.06
25th percentile	$35,670	$17.15
Median (50th)	$37,230	$17.90
75th percentile	$37,230	$17.90
90th percentile	$41,480	$19.94

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, photographic process workers and processing machine operators earn a median of $45,651 per year ($21.95/hour), lower than the Massachusetts median.

Employment Outlook

There are roughly 852,250 photographic process workers and processing machine operators in the U.S..

Top States for Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators Employment

These states have the highest employment of photographic process workers and processing machine operators work.

State	Number Employed
California	940
Michigan	720
North Carolina	460
Pennsylvania	350
New York	340
Indiana	260
Texas	190
Florida	170
Virginia	130
Maryland	120
Utah	110
Georgia	100
Tennessee	100
Wisconsin	90
New Jersey	90
Iowa	90
Washington	70
Oregon	60
Alabama	60
Kentucky	60

Highest-Paying States for Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators

The highest-paying states for photographic process workers and processing machine operators.

State	Annual Median Salary
New York	$72,160
Washington	$51,730
Michigan	$51,590
Maryland	$50,770
Ohio	$50,120
California	$45,850
Wisconsin	$44,750
New Jersey	$41,250
Utah	$40,250
Kentucky	$38,900

Skills

The most important photographic process workers and processing machine operators skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Knowledge Areas

Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Abilities

Top abilities for photographic process workers and processing machine operators, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Daily Tasks

Common tasks include:

• 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.

Work Activities

• Working with Computers
• Controlling Machines and Processes
• Getting Information
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
• Thinking Creatively
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Tools & Technology

Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Adobe Creative Cloud software, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign In-demand technologies: Microsoft Excel

Related Careers

Careers similar to photographic process workers and processing machine operators include:

• Calibration Technologists and Technicians
• Photonics Technicians
• Photographers
• Motion Picture Projectionists
• Office Machine Operators, Except Computer
• Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers

Also Known As

Air Brush Artist, Airbrush Artist, Art Tracer, Automatic Developer, Automatic Mounter, Automatic Print Developer, Black and White Printer Operator, Color Laboratory Technician, Color Printer Operator, Computer-Controlled Color Photograph Printer Operator, Copy Camera Operator, Copy and Print Associate, Darkroom Technician, Developer, Developing Machine Operator.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
• O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
• BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
• O*NET-SOC code: 51-9151.00