Job description

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 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.

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Salary

Photo Lab Technicians with little to no experience tend to make between $21050 and $23900 while the more experienced ones can earn over $39580 per year.

One of the easiest ways to increase your salary as a Photographic Process Worker and Processing Machine Operator is to move to a higher paying state like CA. Right now, the highest paying states for Photo Lab Technicians are CA, NY, ID, LA and OR.

However, a higher pay at CA doesn’t guarantee that you will make more because the living expenses at CA might be twice as high than where you are currently at now.

Three other factors that can increase your salary as a Photographic Process Worker and Processing Machine Operator is the degree you hold, the industry you work in, and lastly the company you work for.

Requirements

We asked other Photo Lab Technicians what degree they had when they got the job and most of them said they had a High School Diploma followed by a College Certificate.

Other than that, we also asked them what did they major in and here are the most popular majors that came up.

Pros and Cons

Here are some of the pros and cons of being a Photographic Process Worker and Processing Machine Operator.

What is the job like

46% of Photo Lab Technicians said they were satisfied with their job and 42% said they feel like their job is making other people’s lives better.

Is this right for me

You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tends 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.

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