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Skilled Trades

Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators

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.

Median salary

$40,100

Typical range

$31k – $69k

Job outlook

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Plan a path to Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators

Education

Typical entry: No degree required

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Typical progression

  1. Junior Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators

    Entry / Junior

    $30,840

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators

    Established

    $40,100

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators

    Senior

    $54,695

Key skills

A typical day

  • 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.

Fields of study

Any field

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