How much do Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators make?
The median pay for Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators in the United States is $40,610 per year — about $19.52 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $30,090, while the most experienced professionals in the top 10% earn $68,800.
That is $20,780 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators salary range by percentile
Half of all Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators earn between $35,170 and $50,150 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,090 | $14.47 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $35,170 | $16.91 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $40,610 | $19.52 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $50,150 | $24.11 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $68,800 | $33.08 |
Highest-paying states for Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. New York leads the country for Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators pay at $57,760 a year, followed by Virginia ($47,380) and California ($47,320). At the other end, Tennessee posts the lowest median at $29,050 — a gap of $28,710 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $57,760 | $27.77 | +42% |
| 2 | Virginia | $47,380 | $22.78 | +17% |
| 3 | California | $47,320 | $22.75 | +17% |
| 4 | Florida | $46,840 | $22.52 | +15% |
| 5 | Wisconsin | $46,480 | $22.35 | +14% |
Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 29 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 5,000 people work as Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $46,050 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
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