Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators
The short answer
Parts of this job are expected to change. AI can already assist with some of its tasks. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to shrink over the next decade, with about 86 openings expected each year.
Where your job stands
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the middle fifth for how much AI could touch it—right around the middle.
How much AI could touch this job
Looking at the job itself, AI could help with about a quarter of this job's tasks.
What this means
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the middle fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.
What AI can and can’t help with in this job
The score comes from the real, day-to-day tasks of this job—not a guess about the job as a whole. Below are the tasks that matter most in this job, split by whether AI can help with them.
AI can help with or automate about 70% of the tasks in this job.
Tasks AI can help with or automate
Select digital images for printing, specify number of images to be printed, and direct to printer, using computer software.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Create prints according to customer specifications and laboratory protocols.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Produce color or black-and-white photographs, negatives, or slides, applying standard photographic reproduction techniques and procedures.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Review computer-processed digital images for quality.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Operate scanners or related computer equipment to digitize negatives, photographic prints, or other images.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Tasks AI can't do much of
Set or adjust machine controls, according to specifications, type of operation, or material requirements.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Fill tanks of processing machines with solutions such as developer, dyes, stop-baths, fixers, bleaches, or washes.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Measure and mix chemicals to prepare solutions for processing, according to formulas.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Immerse film, negatives, paper, or prints in developing solutions, fixing solutions, and water to complete photographic development processes.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Load circuit boards, racks or rolls of film, negatives, or printing paper into processing or printing machines.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Jobs you could switch to
If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.
See related jobs in
The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Very similar workslightly less pay195 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays slightly less—$54,006 vs your $59,073 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Near Vision
- Operations Monitoring
- Selective Attention
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Control Precision
Your current skills largely cover this move.
Photographers
Similar work+4% pay799 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 4% more—$61,731 vs your $59,073 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Computers and Electronics
- Near Vision
- Customer and Personal Service
- Visual Color Discrimination
- Oral Comprehension
New skills to build
- Sales and Marketing
- Administrative
- Administration and Management
- Communications and Media
- Psychology
Motion Picture Projectionists
Somewhat similar work+43% pay118 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 43% more—$84,348 vs your $59,073 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus short-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Computers and Electronics
- Near Vision
- Oral Comprehension
- Customer and Personal Service
- Visual Color Discrimination
New skills to build
- Far Vision
- Communications and Media
Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers
Somewhat similar workslightly less pay515 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$58,910 vs your $59,073 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires some college, no degree, plus short-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Computers and Electronics
- Near Vision
- Customer and Personal Service
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
New skills to build
- Engineering and Technology
- Installation
- Mechanical
- Repairing
Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other
Somewhat similar work+14% pay234 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 14% more—$67,361 vs your $59,073 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires an associate's degree.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Computers and Electronics
- Near Vision
- Oral Comprehension
- Customer and Personal Service
- Active Listening
New skills to build
- Engineering and Technology
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Design
- Building and Construction