How to become a photographic and film processor
Official title: Photographic and film processors
Also called: Film developer, Film processor, Photo processor, Photographic printer, X-ray film developer, Photographic processor, Photographic film printer, Film processing technician, Motion picture film printer, Photographic film processor, Film-printing machine tender, Motion picture film developer
Photographic and film processors process and finish still photographic film and motion picture film. They are employed in film processing laboratories and retail photofinishing establishments.
Main tasks
- Operate equipment to develop negatives and slides, and to print black and white and colour photographs
- Operate photographic enlarging equipment to produce prints and enlargements from negatives
- Operate equipment to develop motion picture film
- Tend automatic equipment in retail establishments to develop colour negatives, prints and slides
- Operate equipment to transfer film to video tape
- Retouch photographic negatives or original prints to correct defects
- Splice film and mount film on reels
- Measure and mix chemicals required for processing
How to become one
Completion of secondary school is usually required. For employment in film processing laboratories, completion of a college or other specialized photography program or Extensive related experience is required. For employment as a film printing machine operator in retail outlets, on-the-job training is provided.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $39,000 a year The middle half earn $33,638 to $45,006.
Related jobs
- Plateless printing equipment operators
- Camera, platemaking and other prepress occupations
- Binding and finishing machine operators
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Questions people ask
How do I become a photographic and film processor?
Completion of secondary school is usually required. For employment in film processing laboratories, completion of a college or other specialized photography program or Extensive related experience is required. For employment as a film printing machine operator in retail outlets, on-the-job training is provided.
How much does a photographic and film processor earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $39,000 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $33,638 to $45,006.
Do you need a degree to become a photographic and film processor?
Usually not. Only 21% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03