How much does a photographic process worker and processing machine operator make?
The median photographic process worker and processing machine operator in the United States earns $40,100 per year, about $19.28 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all photographic process workers and processing machine operators earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 51-9151.
Photographic process worker and processing machine operator salary range
Pay for photographic process workers and processing machine operators spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $30,840 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $69,290. The average (mean) wage of $46,050 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $30,840 | $14.83 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $34,460 | $16.57 | |
| Median (50th) | $40,100 | $19.28 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $51,590 | $24.80 | |
| 90th percentile | $69,290 | $33.31 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for photographic process workers and processing machine operators (SOC 51-9151), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Photographic process worker and processing machine operator salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Photographic process workers and processing machine operators earn the most in New York at $72,160 a year, and the least in South Carolina at $28,860. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $72,160 | 340 |
| Washington | $51,730 | 70 |
| Michigan | $51,590 | 720 |
| Maryland | $50,770 | 120 |
| Ohio | $50,120 | 30 |
| California | $45,850 | 940 |
| Wisconsin | $44,750 | 90 |
| New Jersey | $41,250 | 90 |
| Utah | $40,250 | 110 |
| Kentucky | $38,900 | 60 |
| Oregon | $38,650 | 60 |
| Texas | $37,980 | 190 |
| Missouri | $37,370 | N/A |
| Massachusetts | $37,230 | N/A |
| Virginia | $36,430 | 130 |
| Indiana | $36,290 | 260 |
| Pennsylvania | $36,130 | 350 |
| Florida | $35,960 | 170 |
| New Mexico | $35,960 | 50 |
| Arizona | $35,520 | N/A |
| North Carolina | $33,590 | 460 |
| Iowa | $32,100 | 90 |
| Tennessee | $31,370 | 100 |
| Georgia | $29,830 | 100 |
| Illinois | $29,120 | N/A |
| Kansas | $29,120 | 30 |
| Alabama | $28,910 | 60 |
| South Carolina | $28,860 | N/A |
State median wages for photographic process workers and processing machine operators (SOC 51-9151), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for photographic process workers and processing machine operators
The BLS projects employment of photographic process workers and processing machine operators to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 5.6%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 5,300 jobs in 2025 moving toward 5,000 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 600 openings a year for photographic process workers and processing machine operators. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a photographic process worker and processing machine operator
The typical entry-level education for photographic process workers and processing machine operators is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a photographic process worker and processing machine operator earns
Industry, shift, certifications, and region drive pay, along with overtime. Skilled operators and workers in unionized plants sit near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (New York, $72,160) and the lowest (South Carolina, $28,860) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 5,550 people work as photographic process workers and processing machine operators in the United States. At $40,100 a year, the job pays below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Photographic process worker and processing machine operator salary FAQ
How much does a photographic process worker and processing machine operator make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a photographic process worker and processing machine operator is $19.28. The middle half of photographic process workers and processing machine operators earn between $16.57 and $24.80 per hour.
What is the highest photographic process worker and processing machine operator salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of photographic process workers and processing machine operators earn more than $69,290 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a photographic process worker and processing machine operator make a year?
The median annual salary for a photographic process worker and processing machine operator is $40,100. The average (mean) wage of $46,050 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a photographic process worker and processing machine operator a well paid job?
At $40,100 a year, a photographic process worker and processing machine operator earns below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 5,550 people work as photographic process workers and processing machine operators in the United States.
Which state pays photographic process workers and processing machine operators the most?
New York has the highest median salary for photographic process workers and processing machine operators at $72,160 a year. Washington ($51,730) and Michigan ($51,590) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a photographic process worker and processing machine operator a good career?
Employment of photographic process workers and processing machine operators is projected to shrink 5.6% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 600 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a photographic process worker and processing machine operator?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for photographic process workers and processing machine operators as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
Related salaries
See more in Production & Manufacturing salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.