Production
Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators
Also called: Digital Printer Operator, Film Processor, Film Technician, Lab Technician
US median pay
$40,610
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
-5.6%
declining
Openings a year (US)
600
5,300 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
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 they do day to 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.
- 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.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Operations Monitoring3.5/5
- Quality Control Analysis3.4/5
- Service Orientation3.2/5
- Operation and Control3.1/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.1/5
- Time Management3.0/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.0/5
- Troubleshooting2.9/5
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service3.9/5
- Computers and Electronics3.7/5
- Production and Processing3.1/5
- English Language3.1/5
- Mechanical2.6/5
- Chemistry2.6/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma84%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.