Camera and photographic equipment repairers salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $34,320 | $16.50 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $52,720 | $25.35 |
| Mean (average) | $56,040 | $26.94 |
| 90th percentile | $83,940 | $40.35 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Camera and photographic equipment repairers pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 13 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $59,080 | $52,270 | $75,160 | ||
| California | $59,770 | $34,320 | $88,560 | ||
| Florida | $41,290 | $41,290 | $47,230 | 30 | 0.33 |
| Georgia | $49,320 | $34,200 | $58,350 | 60 | 1.09 |
| Kansas | $46,920 | $35,160 | $56,510 | ||
| Nevada | $52,700 | $52,690 | $67,550 | ||
| New Jersey | $60,290 | $39,120 | $92,870 | 40 | 0.93 |
| New York | $48,280 | $32,240 | $82,200 | 50 | 0.51 |
| North Carolina | $41,140 | $28,450 | $79,810 | 30 | 0.61 |
| Ohio | $85,070 | $49,090 | $88,860 | 80 | 1.37 |
| Tennessee | $44,940 | $37,420 | $64,000 | ||
| Texas | $33,940 | $26,050 | $109,370 | 90 | 0.57 |
| Virginia | $65,170 | $41,870 | $72,310 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for camera and photographic equipment repairers
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 100. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Share of workers who are self-employed (2025): 7.3%.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for camera and photographic equipment repairers
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Long-term on-the-job training
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- 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.
- Requisition parts or materials.
- Calibrate and verify accuracy of light meters, shutter diaphragm operation, or lens carriers, using timing instruments.
- Examine cameras, equipment, processed film, or laboratory reports to diagnose malfunction, using work aids and specifications.
- Read and interpret engineering drawings, diagrams, instructions, or specifications to determine needed repairs, fabrication method, and operation sequence.
Technology skills
- Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Email software
- RepairTRAX
- Statistical process control SPC software
Transferable skills for career changers: Troubleshooting, Repairing, Equipment Maintenance, Quality Control Analysis, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making.
Common job titles: Camera Repair Technician, Camera Repairman, Camera Technician, Photo Equipment Technician, Photo Technologist, Photographic Equipment Repair Technician, Photographic Equipment Technician, Photographic Technician (Photo Tech), Repair Technician, Repairman.
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do camera and photographic equipment repairers make?
The national median annual wage for camera and photographic equipment repairers was $52,720 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $34,320 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $83,940. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do camera and photographic equipment repairers need?
BLS lists high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and long-term on-the-job training on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is camera and photographic equipment repairers a growing career?
BLS projects employment of camera and photographic equipment repairers to change -15.5% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 100 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay camera and photographic equipment repairers the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were Ohio ($85,070), Virginia ($65,170), New Jersey ($60,290). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.