Photographer
Capture images for clients, events, products and stories.
- $44,660
- 6 months–2 years
Mechanics, Maintenance & Manufacturing career
Camera Repairer
Also called: Camera Technician · Photographic Equipment Repairer · Lens Repair Technician · Imaging Equipment Technician
What camera repairers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a camera repairer do?
Camera and photographic equipment repairers repair and adjust cameras, lenses and related equipment. The median pay is $52,720 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A year or more on the job, and employment is projected to grow -15.5% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$52,720$25.35/hour · May 2025
- Job growth-15.5%2025–35, a projected decline
- Openings per year100Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to trainA year or more on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs1,800Employment, 2025
What camera repairers do
Camera repairers fix precision imaging gear. They diagnose and repair digital cameras, lenses, film cameras and video equipment, clean sensors, calibrate autofocus, replace shutters and test image quality. They work in repair shops and manufacturer service centers.
A high school diploma and long-term on-the-job training are typical. It is a tiny occupation, and BLS projects decline.
Typical duties
- Diagnose camera faults
- Repair lenses
- Clean sensors
- Replace shutters
- Calibrate autofocus
- Test image quality
- Order parts
Work environment and schedule
Repairers work at clean benches in repair shops and service centers.
Schedule: Full-time daytime hours.
A day in the life
- Open repair tickets.
- Clean a camera sensor.
- Disassemble a dropped lens.
- Replace a shutter.
See a full day in the life of a camera repairer →
Camera Repairer salary
Half of camera repairers earned more than $52,720 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $34,320 for the lowest 10% to $83,940 for the top 10%.
Full camera repairer pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a camera repairer
- Finish high school
- Learn electronics basics
- Join a repair shop
- Learn precision repair
- Advance
A high school diploma and long-term on-the-job training are typical; electronics training helps.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a camera repairer →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Precision disassembly
- Optics
- Electronics repair
- Calibration
- Sensor cleaning
People skills
- Patience
- Steady hands
- Attention to detail
- Focus
All camera repairer skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Precision craft
- Quiet bench work
- Specialized skill
- Creative industry
Cons
- Tiny, declining field
- Eye strain
- Fiddly parts
- Few employers
Certifications and licenses
- Manufacturer service training: Brand-specific.
- Electronics certificate: Helpful.
- ESD training: Helpful.
- Soldering certification: Helpful.
Career path
- Trainee: Entry.
- Repair Technician: Repair.
- Senior Technician: Complex repairs.
- Service Center Lead: Lead.
Learn the job before day one
Our Camera Repairer training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as clean a camera sensor safely and diagnose a lens autofocus problem, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Watch Repairer
Clean, repair and restore watches and clocks.
- $67,230
- 1–2 years of training
Electronics Assembler
Assemble circuit boards, wire harnesses and electronic devices.
- $45,850
- A few months on the job
Industrial Electronics Repairer
Repair the electronic controls that run industrial machines.
- $74,090
- Training program plus a year or more on the job
Compare: Camera Repairer vs. Photographer · Camera Repairer vs. Watch Repairer · Camera Repairer vs. Electronics Assembler · Camera Repairer vs. Industrial Electronics Repairer
Camera Repairer FAQ
Is camera repair still a job?
Yes, but it’s tiny and declining.
Do I need a degree?
No.
Where do repairers work?
Shops and manufacturer service centers.
How much does a camera repairer make?
The median annual wage for camera repairers was $52,720 ($25.35 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $34,320 and the highest 10% earned more than $83,940.
How long does it take to become a camera repairer?
Most people need about A year or more on the job of training. A high school diploma and long-term on-the-job training are typical; electronics training helps.
Do you need a degree to be a camera repairer?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus long-term on-the-job training.
More camera repairer questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 49-9061 (Camera and photographic equipment repairers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Camera and photographic equipment repairers (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.