Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators
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.
Table of contents
What they do
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.
- Select digital images for printing, specify the 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.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Photo Lab Technicians monitor equipment operations to detect malfunctions. They select digital images for printing, specify the number of images to be printed, and direct them to the printer, using computer software.
- Create prints according to customer specifications and laboratory protocols.
- Maintain records, such as quantities or types of processing completed, materials used, or customer charges.
- Produce color or black-and-white photographs, negatives, or slides, applying standard photographic reproduction techniques and procedures.
- Thread filmstrips through densitometers or sensitometers and expose the film to light to determine the density of film, necessary color corrections, or light sensitivity.
- Examine drawings, negatives, or photographic prints to determine coloring, shading, accenting, or other changes required for retouching or restoration.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Photo Lab Technicians also shade negatives or photographs with pencils to smooth facial contours, soften highlights, or conceal blemishes, stray hairs, or wrinkles. They may also apply paint, using airbrushes, pens, artists’ brushes, cotton swabs, or gloved fingers to retouch or enhance negatives or photographs.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Photo Lab Technicians splice broken or separated film and mount film on reels. They might also upload digital images onto websites for customers.
In addition, they dry prints or negatives using sponges, squeegees, mechanical air dryers, or drying cabinets.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them set automatic timers, lens openings, and printer carriages to specified focus and exposure times and start exposure to duplicate originals, photographs, or negatives.
To some Photo Lab Technicians, it is also their responsibility to retouch photographic negatives or original prints to correct defects.
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What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
46% said they were satisfied with their job and 42% said they found their job meaningful.
Pros
Suitable for people who like to follow routines.
Suitable for people who want to work in a supportive work environment.
It is easy to get into this career. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required to get started.
Normal working hours (40 hours per week).
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to start and carry out projects.
One of the lowest paying jobs.
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $23,850 to $28,140 per year or $11 to $14 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $61,950 | $30 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $47,870 | $23 |
| Median | $34,720 | $17 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $28,140 | $14 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $23,850 | $11 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $54530 | $26.22 |
| Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers | $52950 | $25.45 |
| Local Government | $51250 | $24.64 |
| Motion Picture and Video Industries | $50930 | $24.49 |
| Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers | $50570 | $24.31 |
| Electronic Shopping and Mail-Order Houses | $48830 | $23.48 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | $46310 | $22.26 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | $43790 | $21.05 |
| Specialized Design Services | $42950 | $20.65 |
| Manufacturing and Reproducing Magnetic and Optical Media | $41780 | $20.08 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other Personal Services | 3000 | $39470 | $18.98 |
| Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 2190 | $36950 | $17.76 |
| General Merchandise Stores | 620 | $40290 | $19.37 |
| Health and Personal Care Stores | 380 | $28890 | $13.89 |
| Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | 290 | $40920 | $19.67 |
| Printing and Related Support Activities | 190 | $38770 | $18.64 |
| Motion Picture and Video Industries | 160 | $50930 | $24.49 |
| Employment Services | 160 | $41720 | $20.06 |
| Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services | 150 | $37550 | $18.05 |
| Electronics and Appliance Stores | 140 | $40680 | $19.56 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
How often do you use email in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
How often do you have group discussions in this job?
Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.
They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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