Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators Salary in California (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators in California, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$47,320
per year
Hourly Rate
$22.75
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+17% vs US median
US median $40,610
State Rank
#3 of 29
740 employed here

How much do Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators make in California?

Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators working in California earn a median salary of $47,320 per year, or about $22.75 per hour. That is 17% above the national median of $40,610 for this occupation.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $37,900 while the top 10% make $84,430 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $40,020 and $67,120 a year.

Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$37,900$18.22
25th percentile (early career)$40,020$19.24
50th percentile (median)$47,320$22.75
75th percentile (experienced)$67,120$32.27
90th percentile (top earners)$84,430$40.59

How California compares

California ranks 3rd out of 29 states and territories for Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1New York$57,760
2Virginia$47,380
3California$47,320
4Florida$46,840
5Wisconsin$46,480

Working as Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators in California

Nationally, about 5,000 people work as Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare California pay ($47,320) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators make in California?
The median Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators salary in California is $47,320 per year, or about $22.75 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,900 at the entry level to $84,430 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators about 17% more than the national median of $40,610. California ranks 3rd out of 29 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $47,320 a year. About 740 Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.