Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement [About this section]
Most photographic process workers and processing machine
operators receive on-the-job training from their companies,
manufacturersÂ’ representatives, and experienced workers. New
employees gradually learn to use the machines and chemicals that
develop and print film.
Photographic processing machine operators held about 54,000 jobs
in 2002. About four in ten worked in retail establishments, primarily in
general merchandise stores and drug stores. About three in ten
worked in photofinishing laboratories and 1-hour minilabs. Small
numbers were employed in the printing industry and in portrait studios
and commercial laboratories that process the work of professional
photographers.
Employment fluctuates somewhat over the course of the year.
Typically, employment peaks during school graduation and summer
vacation periods, and again during the winter holiday season.
Employment [About this section] Back to Top
Photographic process workers held about 28,000 jobs in 2002.
Almost one in four photographic process workers were employed in
photofinishing laboratories and 1-hour minilabs. More than one in six
worked for portrait studios or commercial laboratories that specialize
in processing the work of professional photographers for advertising
and other industries. An additional one in six were employed by
general merchandise stores, and one in ten in the printing, publishing,
and motion picture industries.
