Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers fall under the Installation, Maintenance, and Repair category in the U.S. occupational classification. Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers earn a median salary of $49,300 per year, ranking in the top 64% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -15.1% job growth through 2034, projected to lose jobs through 2034. Entry into this field typically requires an apprenticeship, technical certification, or postsecondary training, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do camera and photographic equipment repairers earn?

The median annual wage for camera and photographic equipment repairers is $49,300. That puts camera and photographic equipment repairers at #518 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is camera and photographic equipment repairers a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for camera and photographic equipment repairers is -15.1%, projected to lose jobs through 2034. Employment is projected to move from approximately 2K positions in 2024 to 1K in 2034, a net change of -1K. A declining outlook does not mean the field is disappearing; it means automation, demographics, or substitution effects are shrinking the pool of openings. Students entering a declining field should plan for adjacent skills that transfer to growing roles.

What do camera and photographic equipment repairers do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working camera and photographic equipment repairers, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

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

Top skills for camera and photographic equipment repairers

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become camera and photographic equipment repairer?

Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers typically enter the field through a formal apprenticeship, technical certification, or vocational training program — a strong fit for teens who prefer hands-on learning over traditional college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

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• Avionics Technicians
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• Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
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Common questions parents ask about camera and photographic equipment repairers