Photographer
Capture images for clients, events, products and stories.
- $44,660
- 6 months–2 years
Arts, Media & Design career
Photo Lab Technician
Also called: Photographic Process Worker · Print Technician · Film Processor · Photo Retoucher
What photo lab technicians 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 photo lab technician do?
Photographic process workers and processing machine operators develop and process photographic images from film or digital media. The median pay is $40,610 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few weeks on the job, and employment is projected to grow -5.6% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$40,610$19.52/hour · May 2025
- Job growth-5.6%2025–35, a projected decline
- Openings per year600Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to trainA few weeks on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs5,300Employment, 2025
What photo lab technicians do
Photo lab technicians bring images to print. They process film, run digital printers, color-correct images, restore old photos, make large-format prints and mount and frame work.
A high school diploma and short training are typical. BLS projects decline as digital photography grows.
Typical duties
- Process film
- Run printers
- Color-correct images
- Restore old photos
- Make large prints
- Mount prints
- Help customers
Work environment and schedule
Technicians work in photo labs, print shops and studios.
Schedule: Full or part time.
A day in the life
- Run film through the processor.
- Scan negatives.
- Color-correct files.
- Print large-format images.
See a full day in the life of a photo lab technician →
Photo Lab Technician salary
Half of photo lab technicians earned more than $40,610 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $30,090 for the lowest 10% to $68,800 for the top 10%.
Full photo lab technician pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a photo lab technician
- Learn photography basics
- Learn Photoshop
- Get hired at a lab
- Learn processing and printing
- Advance
A high school diploma and short-term on-the-job training are typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a photo lab technician →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Film processing
- Color correction
- Printing
- Scanning
- Photo restoration
People skills
- Attention to detail
- Color eye
- Patience
- Customer service
All photo lab technician skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Work with images
- Short training
- Film revival niche
- Creative tasks
Cons
- Declining jobs
- Chemicals
- Low pay
- Few labs
Certifications and licenses
- Photoshop certification: Helpful.
- Color management training: Helpful.
- Photography courses: Helpful.
- Chemical safety: Employer.
Career path
- Lab Technician: Entry.
- Printer: Print.
- Retoucher: Restore.
- Lab Manager: Lead.
Learn the job before day one
Our Photo Lab Technician training (8 hours, $74.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as color-correct a print and restore a damaged old photo, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Printing Press Operator
Run printing presses that produce packaging, labels, books and marketing materials.
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Graphic Designer
Create logos, layouts and visuals that communicate ideas and build brands.
- $62,960
- 4 years or portfolio-based training
Camera Repairer
Repair cameras, lenses and photographic equipment.
- $52,720
- A year or more on the job
Compare: Photo Lab Technician vs. Photographer · Photo Lab Technician vs. Printing Press Operator · Photo Lab Technician vs. Graphic Designer · Photo Lab Technician vs. Camera Repairer
Photo Lab Technician FAQ
Do photo labs still exist?
Yes, fewer but film has a niche revival.
Do I need a degree?
No.
Is the job declining?
BLS projects decline.
How much does a photo lab technician make?
The median annual wage for photo lab technicians was $40,610 ($19.52 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $30,090 and the highest 10% earned more than $68,800.
How long does it take to become a photo lab technician?
Most people need about A few weeks on the job of training. A high school diploma and short-term on-the-job training are typical.
Do you need a degree to be a photo lab technician?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.
More photo lab technician questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 51-9151 (Photographic process workers and processing machine operators).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Photographic process workers and processing machine operators (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.