What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators in the U.S. earn more than $40,610 a year — the middle 80% land between $30,090 and $68,800. About 4,800 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Plant and machine operators and assemblers earn about ₹17,329 a month on average — around ₹2.1 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$40,610typical pay / year
4,800people in this work
$68,800+top 10% earn
₹2.1 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Fixing2
Set or adjust machine controls according to specifications
+Calibrate the centrifuge and set speed, temperature and run time to the protocol values on the batch sheet…
Set or adjust machine controls according to specifications
+Calibrate the centrifuge and set speed, temperature and run time to the protocol values on the batch sheet for lot 2379, document the changes in the equipment log, and confirm settings with Dr. Morales before starting the run this afternoon.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
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Fill tanks of processing machines with solutions
+Fill the developer and fixer tanks on press C before the morning run: mix solutions to the manufacturer's…
Fill tanks of processing machines with solutions
+Fill the developer and fixer tanks on press C before the morning run: mix solutions to the manufacturer's concentration, top each tank to the fill line, label with date and initials, log batch numbers in the chemical register, and run a 5-minute circulation check for leaks.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
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Keeping the record4
Create prints according to customer specifications
+Produce two color-proof prints of sample A and sample B to the customer's size and ink-density notes on order…
Create prints according to customer specifications
+Produce two color-proof prints of sample A and sample B to the customer's size and ink-density notes on order 5124, run the approved substrate through the press, inspect the first copies for registration, then pack and label the shipment for courier pickup tomorrow.
The tools that do the workAdobe PhotoshopAdobe Illustratorjob descriptionsO*NET
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Develop photographic images from film or digital media
+Develop the 35mm patient radiographs taken yesterday: load the films into the developer reel in the darkroom,…
Develop photographic images from film or digital media
+Develop the 35mm patient radiographs taken yesterday: load the films into the developer reel in the darkroom, process each film with the timed developer, stop bath, and fixer cycles, rinse and hang to dry, then inspect for image density and mark any repeats.
The tools that do the workAdobe Photoshopjob descriptionsO*NET
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Review digital images for quality
+Inspect the new digital case folder, review each intraoral image at full resolution for exposure, focus, and…
Review digital images for quality
+Inspect the new digital case folder, review each intraoral image at full resolution for exposure, focus, and patient orientation, mark unusable frames with reasons, apply basic exposure fixes to keepers, and save finalized images back to the case folder.
The tools that do the workAdobe Photoshopjob descriptionsO*NET
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Select digital images for printing using computer software
+Select the ten best images from the implant consult shoot for printing: choose images showing occlusion,…
Select digital images for printing using computer software
+Select the ten best images from the implant consult shoot for printing: choose images showing occlusion, buccal and lingual views, and site close-ups, crop to print aspect, set output resolution to 300 dpi, and export as print-ready TIFFs into the lab folder.
The tools that do the workAdobe Photoshopjob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work14
Stun animals
+Stun the pigs in bay 2 using the head-only stunner set to 1.5 amperes, confirm immediate loss of posture,…
Stun animals
+Stun the pigs in bay 2 using the head-only stunner set to 1.5 amperes, confirm immediate loss of posture, mark each carcass with blue chalk, and log time, operator initials and stunner serial in the daily welfare register before moving on.
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Suspend animals
+Suspend the sheep on gambrel hooks in kill line 3 at 90 cm height, secure both hind legs evenly, check for…
Suspend animals
+Suspend the sheep on gambrel hooks in kill line 3 at 90 cm height, secure both hind legs evenly, check for normal breathing cessation within 30 seconds, record hook number and operator initials in the shift log, and flag any struggling animals for vet review.
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Place sensitized paper in frames of projection printers, photostats, or other reproduction machines.
+Load the sensitized paper into the projection printer frames for the photostat run, align each sheet to the…
Place sensitized paper in frames of projection printers, photostats, or other reproduction machines.
+Load the sensitized paper into the projection printer frames for the photostat run, align each sheet to the registration pins, check emulsion face and humidity here in the lab, and close the holders so the first test exposure can run at 09:00.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OfficeO*NET
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Produce timed prints with separate densities or color settings for each scene of a production.
+Queue the film scenes so each scene prints at its assigned start time, set the printer for the scene-specific…
Produce timed prints with separate densities or color settings for each scene of a production.
+Queue the film scenes so each scene prints at its assigned start time, set the printer for the scene-specific density and color matrix, run a timed test strip for scene one, then repeat and document adjustments for the rest of the production.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Splice broken or separated film and mount film on reels.
+Splice the broken film with clean butt joints, secure each splice with tape and cement where required, wind…
Splice broken or separated film and mount film on reels.
+Splice the broken film with clean butt joints, secure each splice with tape and cement where required, wind the repaired sections onto the take-up reel in order, and mark reel leaders with reel number and footage before storage.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OfficeO*NET
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Apply GMP
+Run the GMP checklist before any production: verify cleanroom garments, log batch and operator IDs, inspect…
Apply GMP
+Run the GMP checklist before any production: verify cleanroom garments, log batch and operator IDs, inspect equipment calibration stamps, record deviations, and file the signed checklist in the batch record.
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Control animals in distress
+Respond to the distressed animal: secure the area, calm and restrain the animal using approved handling gear,…
Control animals in distress
+Respond to the distressed animal: secure the area, calm and restrain the animal using approved handling gear, assess injuries, call veterinary on-call and record interventions and times in the animal care log.
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Operate in slaughterhouse installations
+Perform the slaughterhouse installation check: inspect stun and bleed equipment, verify safety interlocks,…
Operate in slaughterhouse installations
+Perform the slaughterhouse installation check: inspect stun and bleed equipment, verify safety interlocks, confirm waste and carcass routing, sign the pre-shift safety and hygiene forms, and note any faults for maintenance.
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Insert negatives and prints into envelopes for delivery
+Pack the client's negatives and accompanying prints into their addressed envelopes in matching sets, include…
Insert negatives and prints into envelopes for delivery
+Pack the client's negatives and accompanying prints into their addressed envelopes in matching sets, include the invoice and return label, seal and stack by delivery route for the courier pickup at 16:00 today.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Officejob descriptionsO*NET
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Maintain records of processing completed and materials used
+Update the processing log with today's batch numbers, list each chemical and paper roll used with quantities,…
Maintain records of processing completed and materials used
+Update the processing log with today's batch numbers, list each chemical and paper roll used with quantities, note operator initials and time stamps, then save and run the weekly materials usage summary.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
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Upload digital images onto Web sites for customers.
+Resize and rename today's customer images to web resolution, add the client's order number and privacy…
Upload digital images onto Web sites for customers.
+Resize and rename today's customer images to web resolution, add the client's order number and privacy watermark, upload to the customer gallery and email the access link to each customer with delivery expectations.
The tools that do the workAmazon Web Services AWSMicrosoft Outlookjob descriptionsO*NET
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Reprint originals for enlargement or in sections to be pieced together.
+Create reprint versions from the originals for a 24x36 enlargement and a three-panel section set, mark crop…
Reprint originals for enlargement or in sections to be pieced together.
+Create reprint versions from the originals for a 24x36 enlargement and a three-panel section set, mark crop lines and overlap margins, queue the files for proofing and note run times for the darkroom shift.
The tools that do the workAdobe PhotoshopO*NET
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Monitor equipment operation to detect malfunctions.
+Walk the processing line every hour, inspect temperature, pressure and conveyor alignment, log any…
Monitor equipment operation to detect malfunctions.
+Walk the processing line every hour, inspect temperature, pressure and conveyor alignment, log any deviations, pause the run if a reading exceeds tolerance and notify maintenance and the shift lead.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Thread filmstrips through densitometers or sensitometers and expose film to light to determine density of film, necessary color corrections, or light sensitivity.
+Thread the filmstrip through the densitometer and do three exposures on the sensitometer, record densities,…
Thread filmstrips through densitometers or sensitometers and expose film to light to determine density of film, necessary color corrections, or light sensitivity.
+Thread the filmstrip through the densitometer and do three exposures on the sensitometer, record densities, calculate the average film speed and recommended color correction, then file the test sheet with the batch record.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft AccessO*NET
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Says who?
These are the pages we read to build this. Open any of them and check us.
The logs, files & records this job keeps
Shared with other careers — the same record means something different in each.
Related careers
Same family of work — each with its own tasks and prompts.
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses