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Salary comparison

Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers: Who Earns More?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers out-earn Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators by $34K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators land at $40,610 and First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers at $74,450. The education gap is real: photographic process workers and processing machine operator programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while first-line supervisors of production and operating worker programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators is New York ($57,760); for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers it's Wyoming ($90,390).

Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Median salary
$40,610
$74,450
Hourly rate
$19.52/hr
$35.79/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$30,090
$47,130
Senior level (90th %)
$68,800
$108,750
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
4,800
673,430
Job growth (10-year)
-2.6%
1.2%
Category
Production & Manufacturing
Production & Manufacturing
Top-paying state
New York
Wyoming

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators median pay.

State
Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
New York
$57,760
$78,580
California
$47,320
$76,840
Wisconsin
$46,480
$74,840
Washington
$46,280
$79,310
Maryland
$45,600
$78,520
Iowa
$43,310
$74,750
New Jersey
$43,300
$81,110
Delaware
$42,220
$79,100
Massachusetts
$38,400
$79,920
Illinois
$37,940
$75,200
Connecticut
$37,460
$83,150
Pennsylvania
$37,340
$74,990
Arizona
$36,650
$75,330
Louisiana
$36,500
$77,520
South Carolina
$30,010
$77,500

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers earn more nationally. The median is $40,610 for Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators versus $74,450 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers, a difference of $34K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers has the better 10-year outlook at 1.2% projected growth, compared to -2.6% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators get paid the most?

New York is the top-paying state for Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators at $57,760/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In New York, Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators earn $57,760 vs. $78,580 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators salary breakdownView →Full First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators by take-home payExplore →Best cities for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers by take-home payExplore →How to become a photographic process workers and processing machine operatorsGuide →How to become a first-line supervisors of production and operating workersGuide →