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Career overview · SOC 49-9061

Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers

Repair and adjust cameras and photographic equipment, including commercial video and motion picture camera equipment.

Also called: Camera Repair Technician · Camera Repairman · Camera Technician · Photo Equipment Technician · Photo Technologist · Photographic Equipment Repair Technician

Median pay (national)
$49,300
$36,020–$76,550 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
2,010
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
-15.1%
~200 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent

What the numbers say

Refit analysis ·Pay for camera and photographic equipment repairers shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $76,550 versus $36,020 at the bottom 10% — 2.1x. The median of $49,300 leaves roughly 55% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change -15.1% from 2024 to 2034 — a projected decline, against +3% across all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 200 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 13 states with released data, Virginia pays the most for this role (median $70,420, +43% vs the national median), while North Carolina sits lowest at $36,180 — a 95% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.

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Top skills employers ask for

Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.

  • Critical Thinking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Active Learning
  • Monitoring
  • Writing
  • Learning Strategies
  • Mathematics
  • Science

What they actually do

Core O*NET tasks for this role.

  • Adjust cameras, photographic mechanisms, or equipment such as range and view finders, shutters, light meters, or lens systems, using hand tools.
  • Disassemble equipment to gain access to defect, using hand tools.
  • Test equipment performance, focus of lens system, diaphragm alignment, lens mounts, or film transport, using precision gauges.
  • Clean and lubricate cameras and polish camera lenses, using cleaning materials and work aids.
  • Calibrate and verify accuracy of light meters, shutter diaphragm operation, or lens carriers, using timing instruments.
  • Read and interpret engineering drawings, diagrams, instructions, or specifications to determine needed repairs, fabrication method, and operation sequence.
  • Examine cameras, equipment, processed film, or laboratory reports to diagnose malfunction, using work aids and specifications.
  • Fabricate or modify defective electronic, electrical, or mechanical components, using bench lathe, milling machine, shaper, grinder, or precision hand tools, according to specifications.
  • Requisition parts or materials.
  • Measure parts to verify specified dimensions or settings, such as camera shutter speed or light meter reading accuracy, using measuring instruments.

Tools & technology

  • RepairTRAX
  • Statistical process control SPC software
  • Email software
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Word

Knowledge areas

  • Mechanical
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • English Language
  • Engineering and Technology
  • Administrative
  • Education and Training
  • Sales and Marketing