CDCareer Decision

Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators Salary in Washington, DC

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators in Washington, DC have a median annual salary of $41,280, with 80 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $31,790 at the 10th percentile to $82,220 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$41,280

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$19.85

Employment

80

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$31,790
10th
$35,170
25th
$41,280
Median
$59,310
75th
$82,220
90th

Local compared with national

Washington, DC

$41,280

Median annual · 2025

United States

$40,610

Median annual · 2025

The Washington, DC median is 1.6% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $670).

Top skills

  1. 1.Operations MonitoringImportance 3.5
  2. 2.Active ListeningImportance 3.4
  3. 3.Quality Control AnalysisImportance 3.4
  4. 4.Reading ComprehensionImportance 3.3
  5. 5.SpeakingImportance 3.3
  6. 6.Service OrientationImportance 3.3
  7. 7.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.1
  8. 8.MonitoringImportance 3.1
  9. 9.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 3.1
  10. 10.Operation and ControlImportance 3.1
  11. 11.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 3.0
  12. 12.Time ManagementImportance 3.0

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
None
Job zone
2

Technology used

  • Adobe Creative Cloud software
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Adobe InDesign
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Amazon Web Services AWS software
  • Camera Bits Photo Mechanic
  • Cascading style sheets CSS
  • Docker
  • ExpressDigital Labtricity
  • Git
  • HeliconSoft Helicon Focus
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook

Common tasks

  • Select digital images for printing, specify number of images to be printed, and direct to printer, using computer software.
  • Create prints according to customer specifications and laboratory protocols.
  • Produce color or black-and-white photographs, negatives, or slides, applying standard photographic reproduction techniques and procedures.
  • Set or adjust machine controls, according to specifications, type of operation, or material requirements.
  • Review computer-processed digital images for quality.
  • Operate scanners or related computer equipment to digitize negatives, photographic prints, or other images.
  • Fill tanks of processing machines with solutions such as developer, dyes, stop-baths, fixers, bleaches, or washes.
  • Measure and mix chemicals to prepare solutions for processing, according to formulas.
  • Load digital images onto computers directly from cameras or from storage devices, such as flash memory cards or universal serial bus (USB) devices.
  • Operate special equipment to perform tasks such as transferring film to videotape or producing photographic enlargements.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators salary in other locations

Other occupations in Washington, DC