Photographic Process Worker and Processing Machine Operator Salary
Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators earn a median $40,610 a year nationally. Production Occupations
What photographic process workers and processing machine operators do
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.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -5.6% (declining)
- Openings per year
- 600
- Self-employed
- 15%
Employment of photographic process workers and processing machine operators is projected to shrink 5.6% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 600 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Photographic Process Worker and Processing Machine Operator take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,693
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,518
- Medicare (1.45%)$589
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$34,810
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,090 | $14.47 | $26,357 |
| 25th percentile | $35,170 | $16.91 | $30,439 |
| Median (50th) | $40,610 | $19.52 | $34,810 |
| 75th percentile | $50,150 | $24.11 | $42,476 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $68,800 | $33.08 | $57,231 |
Photographic Process Worker and Processing Machine Operator salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $57,760 | −20.0% | $46,068 | $39,490 – $106,470 | 400 |
| Virginia | $47,380 | +30.1% | $38,340 | $31,790 – $59,310 | 110 |
| California | $47,320 | +3.2% | $38,698 | $37,900 – $84,430 | 740 |
| Florida | $46,840 | +30.3% | $39,816 | $27,080 – $52,800 | 450 |
| Wisconsin | $46,480 | +3.9% | $38,263 | $37,210 – $61,990 | 60 |
| Washington | $46,280 | −10.5% | $39,366 | $36,640 – $75,310 | 80 |
| Maryland | $45,600 | −10.2% | $37,017 | $36,130 – $76,370 | 200 |
| Iowa | $43,310 | +34.9% | $35,986 | $30,480 – $52,970 | 90 |
| New Jersey | $43,300 | +5.0% | $36,127 | $35,390 – $51,020 | 110 |
| Delaware | $42,220 | — | $34,437 | $40,140 – $42,220 | 30 |
| Oregon | $39,940 | +3.3% | $31,607 | $39,940 – $46,940 | 40 |
| Utah | $39,510 | −1.8% | $33,114 | $37,390 – $43,050 | 60 |
| Michigan | $38,610 | −25.2% | $31,813 | $32,120 – $51,540 | 150 |
| Massachusetts | $38,400 | +3.1% | $31,334 | $36,880 – $85,530 | — |
| Illinois | $37,940 | +30.3% | $30,932 | $31,200 – $74,800 | — |
| Indiana | $37,670 | +3.8% | $31,366 | $31,840 – $54,690 | 240 |
| Connecticut | $37,460 | — | $31,518 | $34,010 – $47,130 | 80 |
| Kentucky | $37,430 | −3.8% | $31,063 | $27,480 – $45,920 | 120 |
| Pennsylvania | $37,340 | +3.3% | $31,036 | $30,890 – $48,300 | 160 |
| Arizona | $36,650 | +3.2% | $30,921 | $34,580 – $44,540 | — |
| Louisiana | $36,500 | — | $30,799 | $32,730 – $47,970 | 60 |
| Texas | $35,950 | −5.3% | $31,066 | $28,890 – $66,630 | 160 |
| North Carolina | $35,580 | +5.9% | $29,858 | $34,680 – $58,310 | 320 |
| Georgia | $34,790 | +16.6% | $28,951 | $24,810 – $139,830 | 50 |
| Missouri | $33,540 | −10.2% | $28,490 | $30,080 – $49,270 | 100 |
| South Carolina | $30,010 | +4.0% | $25,650 | $26,780 – $34,310 | 50 |
| Alabama | $29,850 | +3.3% | $24,937 | $27,510 – $46,090 | 40 |
| Ohio | $29,770 | −40.6% | $26,064 | $28,030 – $37,830 | 190 |
| Tennessee | $29,050 | −7.4% | $25,522 | $18,720 – $53,560 | 110 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Production Workers, All Other | $40,110 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.8% |
| Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operator and Tender | $41,330 | High school diploma or equivalent | +5.9% |
| Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers | $41,600 | No formal educational credential | +1.3% |
| Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician | $39,460 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.2% |
| Helpers--Production Worker | $39,070 | High school diploma or equivalent | -8.2% |
| Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand | $42,660 | No formal educational credential | -19.2% |
| Cutters and Trimmers, Hand | $38,020 | No formal educational credential | -18.9% |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operator and Tender | $43,220 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.1% |
| Etcher and Engraver | $43,310 | High school diploma or equivalent | -0.7% |
| Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders | $43,530 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.4% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a photographic process worker and processing machine operator make?
The national median salary for photographic process workers and processing machine operators is $40,610 a year ($19.52 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $30,090 and the top 10% earn over $68,800. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays photographic process workers and processing machine operators the most?
New York has the highest median pay at $57,760.
How many photographic process workers and processing machine operators are there in the U.S.?
About 4,800 people work as photographic process workers and processing machine operators nationwide.