Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Short-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Photographic process workers and processing machine operators support the production and handling of photographic materials and images. National employment stands at 11,000, with about 2,000 annual openings, indicating ongoing turnover and replacement needs. The typical education requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent, which can make this field accessible to students and career changers who do not have a college degree. Success in this role draws on a mix of mechanical ability, fine motor skills, and physical strength and stamina, combined with customer service, interpersonal skills, and adaptability. Creativity and innovation, as well as comfort with computers and information technology, can also be important. While projected national employment growth is -2.6%, there are still locations with relatively stronger opportunity scores, such as certain states and metro areas. People considering this path may also explore related options like audiovisual equipment installers and repairers, floral designers, cooks in private households, parking enforcement workers, or telecommunications line installers and repairers.
The national median annual salary for photographic process workers and processing machine operators is $40,100. Pay levels vary by location. Among states with the highest opportunity scores, New York shows a median salary of $57,760, while California offers $47,320 and Virginia $47,380. Maryland and Washington also provide medians in the mid-$40,000 range. At the metro level, several areas stand out for higher pay. The Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metro lists a median salary of $60,320, and the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont metro reports $54,400. The New York-Newark-Jersey City metro shows $52,000, while Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim comes in at $47,450. These figures suggest that workers who are flexible about location may find higher median earnings in selected metros and states, particularly in New York and Seattle, while the national median offers a baseline for expectations across the country.
Photographic process workers and processing machine operators currently account for 11,000 jobs nationally. The projected employment growth rate is -2.6%, indicating a modest decline in overall employment over the projection period. Even with this decline, the occupation is expected to have about 2,000 annual openings. These openings reflect ongoing needs such as workforce turnover and replacement, rather than expansion. All listed top states and metro areas share the same -2.6% projected growth rate, so the outlook pattern is consistent geographically. People considering this career should keep in mind that, while the total number of jobs may gradually decrease, the presence of annual openings means there can still be entry points into the field. Comparing this outlook with similar occupations—such as audiovisual equipment installers and repairers, floral designers, or telecommunications line installers and repairers—may help some individuals decide which path aligns best with their long-term goals.
Location plays a significant role in opportunities for photographic process workers and processing machine operators. Among states, California leads with an opportunity score of 67.38, a median salary of $47,320, and employment of 740. New York follows closely with the highest listed state median salary of $57,760, employment of 400, and an opportunity score of 65.78. Washington, Virginia, and Maryland round out the top states, each with opportunity scores above 50 and median salaries between $45,600 and $47,380. At the metro level, differences become even more pronounced. The New York-Newark-Jersey City metro has the highest opportunity score at 77.27 and a median salary of $52,000. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue offers the highest metro median salary at $60,320, while San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim also show relatively high pay and strong opportunity scores. These variations suggest that individuals may benefit from comparing both state- and metro-level data when planning where to work.
The typical education requirement for photographic process workers and processing machine operators is a high school diploma or equivalent. This makes the field accessible to individuals who are completing high school, have a GED, or are returning to the workforce without a college degree. Beyond formal education, the occupation relies on a broad skill set. Mechanical skills and fine motor abilities support hands-on work with equipment and materials. Physical strength and stamina are also highlighted, indicating the importance of being able to handle physical tasks. Customer service, interpersonal skills, and adaptability are important for interacting with others and adjusting to changing work demands. Creativity and innovation, along with science knowledge and comfort with computers and information technology, round out the skill profile. People who already possess or are interested in developing this combination of practical, technical, and people-focused skills may find this occupation a strong fit with their education level and strengths.
Use CareerGPS Pro to compare markets, understand the tradeoffs, and focus on the places with the strongest potential.
