# Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators

> 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.
- **Entity Type:** role
- **Schema Version:** role.v1
- **Soc Code:** 51-9151.00
- **Summary:** 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.

## Aliases

- Photo Lab Technician (Photographic Laboratory Technician)
- Photo Printer
- Photo Specialist
- Photo Technician
- Digital Printer Operator
- Film Processor
- Film Technician
- Lab Technician
- Photo Lab Specialist
- Air Brush Artist
- Airbrush Artist
- Art Tracer

## Tasks

| Text | Type | Iwa |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Select digital images for printing, specify number of images to be printed, and direct to printer, using computer software. | Core | 4.A.3.b.1.f |
| Create prints according to customer specifications and laboratory protocols. | Core | 4.A.3.a.3.f |
| Produce color or black-and-white photographs, negatives, or slides, applying standard photographic reproduction techniques and procedures. | Core | 4.A.3.a.3.f |
| Set or adjust machine controls, according to specifications, type of operation, or material requirements. | Core | 4.A.3.a.3.f |
| Review computer-processed digital images for quality. | Core | 4.A.1.b.2.f |
| Operate scanners or related computer equipment to digitize negatives, photographic prints, or other images. | Core | 4.A.3.b.1.f |
| Fill tanks of processing machines with solutions such as developer, dyes, stop-baths, fixers, bleaches, or washes. | Core | 4.A.3.a.1.f |
| Measure and mix chemicals to prepare solutions for processing, according to formulas. | Core | 4.A.1.b.3.a |
| Load digital images onto computers directly from cameras or from storage devices, such as flash memory cards or universal serial bus (USB) devices. | Core | 4.A.3.b.1.f |
| Operate special equipment to perform tasks such as transferring film to videotape or producing photographic enlargements. | Core | 4.A.3.b.1.f |
| Examine developed prints for defects, such as broken lines, spots, or blurs. | Core | 4.A.1.b.2.f |
| Read work orders to determine required processes, techniques, materials, or equipment. | Core | 4.A.1.a.1.b |

## Emerging Tasks

| Text |
| --- |
| Adjust digital images using software. |

## Activities

| Name | Iwa |
| --- | --- |
| Operate photographic developing or print production equipment. | 4.A.3.a.3.f |
| Inspected printed materials or other images to verify quality. | 4.A.1.b.2.f |
| Load materials into production equipment. | 4.A.3.a.1.f |
| Immerse objects or workpieces in cleaning or coating solutions. | 4.A.3.a.2.m |
| Prepare outgoing mail. | 4.A.4.c.1.e |
| Load digital images onto computers or websites. | 4.A.3.b.1.f |
| Record operational or production data. | 4.A.3.b.6.h |
| Measure ingredients or substances to be used in production processes. | 4.A.1.b.3.a |
| Mix substances to create chemical solutions. | 4.A.3.a.1.a |
| Watch operating equipment to detect malfunctions. | 4.A.1.a.2.a |
| Operate digital imaging equipment. | 4.A.3.b.1.f |
| Position raw materials on processing or production equipment. | 4.A.3.a.2.f |
| Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements. | 4.A.1.a.1.b |
| Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences. | 4.A.1.a.1.b |
| Apply decorative coloring to photographs or printed materials. | 4.A.3.a.2.as |
| Clean production equipment. | 4.A.3.a.1.c |
| Maintain production or processing equipment. | 4.A.3.b.5.a |
| Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment. | 4.A.3.a.2.f |
| Cut industrial materials in preparation for fabrication or processing. | 4.A.3.a.2.l |

## Capabilities

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Customer and Personal Service | knowledge | 3.93 |
| Near Vision | ability | 3.75 |
| Computers and Electronics | knowledge | 3.7 |
| Oral Comprehension | ability | 3.62 |
| Visual Color Discrimination | ability | 3.62 |
| Operations Monitoring | transferable_skill | 3.5 |
| Oral Expression | ability | 3.5 |
| Active Listening | essential_skill | 3.38 |
| Quality Control Analysis | transferable_skill | 3.38 |
| Written Comprehension | ability | 3.38 |
| Reading Comprehension | essential_skill | 3.25 |
| Speaking | essential_skill | 3.25 |
| Service Orientation | transferable_skill | 3.25 |
| Deductive Reasoning | ability | 3.25 |
| Information Ordering | ability | 3.25 |
| Flexibility of Closure | ability | 3.25 |
| Selective Attention | ability | 3.25 |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness | ability | 3.25 |
| Control Precision | ability | 3.25 |
| Production and Processing | knowledge | 3.14 |
| English Language | knowledge | 3.13 |
| Critical Thinking | essential_skill | 3.12 |
| Monitoring | essential_skill | 3.12 |
| Complex Problem Solving | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Operation and Control | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Problem Sensitivity | ability | 3.12 |
| Inductive Reasoning | ability | 3.12 |
| Perceptual Speed | ability | 3.12 |
| Visualization | ability | 3.12 |
| Manual Dexterity | ability | 3.12 |
| Speech Clarity | ability | 3.12 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Time Management | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Written Expression | ability | 3 |
| Category Flexibility | ability | 3 |
| Finger Dexterity | ability | 3 |
| Speech Recognition | ability | 3 |
| Active Learning | essential_skill | 2.88 |
| Social Perceptiveness | transferable_skill | 2.88 |
| Persuasion | transferable_skill | 2.88 |

## Skills

| Name | Type |
| --- | --- |
| Microsoft Word | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Outlook | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Excel | Common Skill |
| Active Listening | Common Skill |
| Reading Comprehension | Common Skill |
| Information Ordering | Specialized Skill |
| Deductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| English Language | Common Skill |
| Visualization | Specialized Skill |
| Inductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Critical Thinking | Common Skill |
| Complex Problem Solving | Common Skill |
| TypeScript | Specialized Skill |
| Time Management | Common Skill |
| Speech Recognition | Specialized Skill |
| MySQL | Specialized Skill |
| MongoDB | Specialized Skill |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Access | Specialized Skill |
| Finger Dexterity | Common Skill |
| Adobe Photoshop | Specialized Skill |
| Adobe InDesign | Specialized Skill |
| Adobe Illustrator | Specialized Skill |
| Social Perceptiveness | Common Skill |
| Negotiation | Common Skill |
| Active Learning | Common Skill |
| Writing | Common Skill |
| Systems Analysis | Specialized Skill |
| Instructing | Specialized Skill |
| Equipment Selection | Specialized Skill |
| Equipment Maintenance | Specialized Skill |
| Chemistry | Specialized Skill |
| Learning Strategies | Specialized Skill |
| Mathematics | Common Skill |
| Depth Perception | Common Skill |
| RESTful API | Specialized Skill |
| Microsoft Publisher | Specialized Skill |
| Telecommunications | Specialized Skill |
| Physics | Specialized Skill |
| Installation | Specialized Skill |

## Tools

| Example | Category | Hot | In Demand |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet software | yes | yes |
| Microsoft Outlook | Electronic mail software | yes | yes |
| Microsoft Word | Word processing software | yes | yes |
| Adobe Creative Cloud software | Graphics or photo imaging software | yes | no |
| Adobe Illustrator | Graphics or photo imaging software | yes | no |
| Adobe InDesign | Desktop publishing software | yes | no |
| Adobe Photoshop | Graphics or photo imaging software | yes | no |
| Amazon Web Services AWS software | Data base user interface and query software | yes | no |
| Cascading style sheets CSS | Web platform development software | yes | no |
| Docker | Application server software | yes | no |
| Git | File versioning software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Access | Data base user interface and query software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Office software | Office suite software | yes | no |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Presentation software | yes | no |
| MongoDB | Data base management system software | yes | no |
| MySQL | Data base user interface and query software | yes | no |
| SAP software | Enterprise resource planning ERP software | yes | no |
| Structured query language SQL | Data base user interface and query software | yes | no |
| TypeScript | Object or component oriented development software | yes | no |
| Camera Bits Photo Mechanic | Graphics or photo imaging software | no | no |
| ExpressDigital Labtricity | Graphics or photo imaging software | no | no |
| HeliconSoft Helicon Focus | Graphics or photo imaging software | no | no |
| Microsoft Publisher | Desktop publishing software | no | no |
| Phase One Capture One | Graphics or photo imaging software | no | no |
| RESTful API | Web platform development software | no | no |

## Work Context

| Name | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams | 4.86 |
| Telephone Conversations | 4.43 |
| Contact With Others | 4.27 |
| Indoors, Environmentally Controlled | 4.08 |
| Deal With External Customers or the Public in General | 4.03 |
| Time Pressure | 4.01 |
| Exposed to Contaminants | 4 |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | 3.93 |
| Spend Time Standing | 3.9 |
| Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team | 3.8 |
| Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | 3.73 |
| Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals | 3.71 |
| Freedom to Make Decisions | 3.51 |
| Spend Time Walking or Running | 3.44 |
| Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers | 3.34 |
| Physical Proximity | 3.33 |
| Level of Competition | 3.3 |
| Written Letters and Memos | 3.28 |
| Importance of Repeating Same Tasks | 3.25 |
| Frequency of Decision Making | 3.23 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Conditions | 3.22 |
| Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions | 3.22 |
| Degree of Automation | 3.22 |
| Health and Safety of Other Workers | 3.19 |
| E-Mail | 3.14 |
| Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People | 3.11 |
| Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | 3.03 |
| Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body | 2.98 |
| Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures | 2.93 |
| Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities | 2.91 |
| Conflict Situations | 2.84 |
| Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable | 2.83 |
| Exposed to Disease or Infections | 2.64 |
| Consequence of Error | 2.54 |
| Spend Time Sitting | 2.47 |
| Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions | 2.39 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Equipment | 2.24 |
| Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling | 2.24 |
| Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions | 2.23 |
| Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance | 2.23 |

## Preparation

- **Job Zone:** 2
- **Job Zone Name:** Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- **Education:** Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- **Experience:** Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- **Svp Range:** (Below 6.0)

### Education Distribution

| Label | Percentage |
| --- | --- |
| High School Diploma | 84.07 |
| Some College Courses | 7.66 |
| Bachelor's Degree | 5.2 |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 2.06 |
| Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 0.74 |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 0.28 |

## Person Fit

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Realistic | career_interest_type | 5.49 |
| Conventional | career_interest_type | 5.19 |
| Mechanics/Electronics | specific_interest_area | 3.07 |
| Artistic | career_interest_type | 2.92 |
| Visual Arts | specific_interest_area | 2.83 |
| Applied Arts and Design | specific_interest_area | 2.65 |
| Information Technology | specific_interest_area | 2.63 |
| Physical/Manual Labor | specific_interest_area | 2.58 |
| Attention to Detail | work_style | 2.57 |
| Media | specific_interest_area | 2.22 |
| Investigative | career_interest_type | 2.13 |
| Dependability | work_style | 2.08 |
| Office Work | specific_interest_area | 1.81 |
| Engineering | specific_interest_area | 1.75 |
| Transportation/Machine Operation | specific_interest_area | 1.6 |
| Physical Science | specific_interest_area | 1.53 |

## Related Roles

| Soc Code | Slug | Title | Tier |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 51-5111.00 | role-51-5111-00 | Prepress Technicians and Workers | Primary-Short |
| 49-9061.00 | role-49-9061-00 | Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers | Primary-Short |
| 51-5112.00 | role-51-5112-00 | Printing Press Operators | Primary-Short |
| 51-9194.00 | role-51-9194-00 | Etchers and Engravers | Primary-Short |
| 43-9071.00 | role-43-9071-00 | Office Machine Operators, Except Computer | Primary-Short |
| 51-9123.00 | role-51-9123-00 | Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers | Primary-Long |
| 51-9141.00 | role-51-9141-00 | Semiconductor Processing Technicians | Primary-Long |
| 51-5113.00 | role-51-5113-00 | Print Binding and Finishing Workers | Primary-Long |
| 51-9196.00 | role-51-9196-00 | Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | Primary-Long |
| 27-4021.00 | role-27-4021-00 | Photographers | Primary-Long |
| 39-3021.00 | role-39-3021-00 | Motion Picture Projectionists | Supplemental |
| 51-9191.00 | role-51-9191-00 | Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders | Supplemental |

## Career Clusters

| Cluster | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Advanced Manufacturing | advanced-manufacturing |

## Education Level

- **Category:** High school diploma or equivalent

## Study Programs


## Market

- **Median Wage:** 40100
- **Mean Wage:** 46050
- **Pct10Wage:** 30840
- **Pct25Wage:** 34460
- **Pct75Wage:** 51590
- **Pct90Wage:** 69290
- **Employment:** 5550
- **Area Title:** U.S.

## Industries


### Top

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Median Wage | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 54 | 54 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | Sector | 1920 | 37760 | 4.95 |
| 81 | 81 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | Sector | 1030 | 36130 | 6.46 |
| 51 | 51 | Information | Sector | 910 | 51590 | 8.69 |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 490 | 41460 | 1.07 |
| 56 | 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | Sector | 340 | 34370 | 1.05 |
| 44-45 | 44-45 | Retail Trade | Sector | 310 | 37230 | 0.55 |
| 55 | 55 | Management of Companies and Enterprises | Sector | 140 | 76590 | 1.38 |
| 61 | 61 | Educational Services | Sector | 110 | 48600 | 0.22 |
| 42 | 42 | Wholesale Trade | Sector | 90 | 42020 |  |
| 561320 | 561320 | Temporary Help Services | National industry |  | 33800 |  |
| 71 | 71 | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | Sector |  | 49060 |  |

### Concentrated

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 51 | 51 | Information | Sector | 910 | 8.69 |
| 81 | 81 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | Sector | 1030 | 6.46 |
| 54 | 54 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | Sector | 1920 | 4.95 |
| 55 | 55 | Management of Companies and Enterprises | Sector | 140 | 1.38 |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 490 | 1.07 |
| 56 | 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | Sector | 340 | 1.05 |
| 44-45 | 44-45 | Retail Trade | Sector | 310 | 0.55 |
| 61 | 61 | Educational Services | Sector | 110 | 0.22 |
- **Count:** 11

## Ai Signals

| Source | Label | Score | Scale | Release |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| frey_osborne | Computerization probability | 0.99 | 0-1 probability | 2013-baseline-2016-employment-snapshot |
| felten_aioe | AI occupational exposure | -0.3615806 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_image_generation_aioe | Image generation occupational exposure | 0.0623692 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_language_modeling_aioe | Language modeling occupational exposure | -0.4977627 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |

## Ai Outlook


### Index

- **Value:** 42
- **Percentile:** 40
- **Band:** Moderate
- **Version:** ai-exposure-index-v1

#### Components

| Percentile | Source |
| --- | --- |
| 39 | felten_aioe |
| 54 | openai_gpts_are_gpts |
| 32 | microsoft_working_with_ai |
- **Component Count:** 3

### Exposure

| Source | Label | Value | Percentile | Band | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| felten_aioe | Overall AI exposure (Felten et al.) | -0.3615806 | 39 | Moderate | How much this job's abilities overlap with what AI systems can do, across many AI capabilities. A relative research score, not a forecast of job loss. |
| eloundou_gamma | LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou) | 0.68 | 54 | Moderate | Share of this job's tasks where a large language model plus simple tools could cut the time to do them by at least half. γ is capped at 1.0 and many jobs reach that ceiling, so treat a top score as 'in the top group', not a precise rank. |
| microsoft_applicability | AI assistant applicability (Microsoft) | 0.1079238060437965 | 32 | Low | How applicable today's AI assistants are to this job's activities, measured from real Microsoft Copilot conversations. Applicability is not the same as replacement. |

### Frey Historical

- **Source:** frey
- **Label:** Computerization probability (Frey & Osborne, 2013)
- **Value:** 0.99
- **Percentile:** 99
- **Band:** High
- **Note:** A pre-LLM (2013) estimate of how automatable this job is by computerization and robotics. Shown for historical context only — it is not part of any current AI ranking.
- **Teleworkable:** no

### Eloundou

- **Alpha:** 0.08
- **Beta:** 0.38
- **Gamma:** 0.68

### Usage Tasks

| Task | Usage Percent | Importance |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Select digital images for printing, specify number of images to be printed, and direct to printer, using computer software. | 0.04704016696178038 | 4.65 |
| Examine drawings, negatives, or photographic prints to determine coloring, shading, accenting, or other changes required for retouching or restoration. | 0.011811395634508174 | 3.81 |
- **Usage Release:** 2026-01-15-v4-plus-2025-03-27-v2

### Bls

- **Growth Percent:** -2.6
- **Growth Percentile:** 17
- **Direction:** Declining
- **Annual Openings Thousands:** 1.5
- **Annual Openings Percentile:** 22
- **Employment2024Thousands:** 11.2
- **Employment2034Thousands:** 10.9

### Sources

| Source | Version |
| --- | --- |
| bls_employment_projections | 2024-2034 |
| dingel_neiman | dingel-neiman-workathome |
| felten_aioe | felten-raj-seamans-aioe |
| frey_osborne | frey-osborne-automation |
| microsoft_working_with_ai | working-with-ai |
| openai_gpts_are_gpts | gpts-are-gpts |

## Ai Playbook

- **Trusted Task Count:** 1
- **Task Count:** 1
- **Total Sample:** 133
- **Autonomy Median:** 4
- **Dominant Collaboration:** directive
- **Automation Share:** 38.35
- **Augmentation Share:** 46.61

### Collaboration

| Label | Percent |
| --- | --- |
| directive | 38.35 |
| task iteration | 17.29 |
| learning | 16.54 |
| validation | 12.78 |

### Use Case

| Label | Percent |
| --- | --- |
| personal | 87.97 |

### Delegated Tasks

| Task | Usage Percent | Collaboration | Autonomy Median | Sample Count |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Examine drawings, negatives, or photographic prints to determine coloring, shading, accenting, or other changes required for retouching or restoration. | 0.013301662707838478 | directive | 4 | 133 |

### Boundary Tasks

| Task | Human Needed Percent | Sample Count |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Examine drawings, negatives, or photographic prints to determine coloring, shading, accenting, or other changes required for retouching or restoration. | 95.48872180451127 | 133 |

### Seed Prompts

| Prompt | Collaboration |
| --- | --- |
| Do this for me: examine drawings, negatives, or photographic prints to determine coloring, shading, accenting, or other changes required for retouching or restoration. Give me a finished draft I can review and adjust. | directive |
- **Release:** 2026-01-15-v4-plus-2025-03-27-v2

## Counts

- **Tasks:** 27
- **Skills:** 45
- **Capabilities:** 120
- **Tools:** 25
- **Related Roles:** 20

## Source

- **Dataset:** gold.onet_role_starter_surface
- **Version:** 30.3
- **Generated At:** 2026-06-02T21:00:32.945303+00:00
- **Content Hash:** 04a6aa625d40ec5c