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Photographic Laboratory Workers

Employment Prospects

Employers

Approximately 11,940 photographic process workers and processing machine operators are employed in the United States. Photographic lab workers work for photofinishing laboratories, portrait studios, and commercial laboratories. Other employers include general merchandise stores and the motion picture, printing, and publishing industries. A small percentage are self-employed or work in the printing industry, portrait studios, and commercial laboratories that provide services to professional photographers.

Starting Out

After receiving a high school diploma or its equivalent, prospective photographic laboratory workers usually apply for jobs at photofinishing laboratories. New employees in photographic laboratories begin as helpers to experienced technicians. As they gain experience, they can start printing and developing pictures on their own. Semiskilled workers usually receive a few months of on-the-job training, while developers may take three or four years to become thoroughly familiar with their jobs.