Camera and photographic equipment repairers
SOC Code: 49-9061
Camera and photographic equipment repairers carries a 32% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $49,300 and -15.1% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 2,300 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 32% AI exposure, Camera and photographic equipment repairers sits 5 points below the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 37% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Camera and photographic equipment repairers sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Camera and photographic equipment repairers has ai exposure of 32%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Camera and photographic equipment repairers vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Camera and photographic equipment repairers is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Camera and photographic equipment repairers (SOC 49-9061) carries an AI exposure score of 32%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 2,300 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a -15.1% change through 2034 - a decline that often compounds with high AI exposure to create displacement headwinds. Median annual compensation stands at $49,300, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires High school diploma or equivalent, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Camera and photographic equipment repairers. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Adjust cameras, photographic mechanisms, or equipment such as range and view finders, shutters, light meters, or lens systems, using hand tools.
- 2. Disassemble equipment to gain access to defect, using hand tools.
- 3. Test equipment performance, focus of lens system, diaphragm alignment, lens mounts, or film transport, using precision gauges.
- 4. Clean and lubricate cameras and polish camera lenses, using cleaning materials and work aids.
- 5. Install electrical assemblies and wiring in aircraft camera housings and memory cards or film in cameras, following blueprints and using hand tools and soldering equipment.
- 6. Requisition parts or materials.
- 7. Calibrate and verify accuracy of light meters, shutter diaphragm operation, or lens carriers, using timing instruments.
- 8. Examine cameras, equipment, processed film, or laboratory reports to diagnose malfunction, using work aids and specifications.
- 9. Read and interpret engineering drawings, diagrams, instructions, or specifications to determine needed repairs, fabrication method, and operation sequence.
- 10. Measure parts to verify specified dimensions or settings, such as camera shutter speed or light meter reading accuracy, using measuring instruments.
Key Skills Required
- Troubleshooting
- Repairing
- Critical Thinking
- Equipment Maintenance
- Quality Control Analysis
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Complex Problem Solving
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Time Management
Knowledge Areas
- Mechanical
- Computers and Electronics
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Engineering and Technology
- Administrative
- Education and Training
- Sales and Marketing
- Administration and Management
- Mathematics
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Camera and photographic equipment repairers?
Camera and photographic equipment repairers has an AI exposure score of 32%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Camera and photographic equipment repairers?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Camera and photographic equipment repairers is projected to decline by 15.1% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 2,300 workers.
What skills are needed for Camera and photographic equipment repairers?
Key skills for Camera and photographic equipment repairers include Troubleshooting, Repairing, Critical Thinking, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Camera and photographic equipment repairers earn?
The median annual wage for Camera and photographic equipment repairers is $49,300, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Camera and photographic equipment repairers?
The typical entry-level education for Camera and photographic equipment repairers is High school diploma or equivalent. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Long-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Camera and photographic equipment repairers?
Camera and photographic equipment repairers roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).