Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
The median pay for a photographic process workers and processing machine operators in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is $49,350/year ($23.73/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $39K at the entry level to $74K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.42), so that salary is closer to $44,693 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,483/month — about 102.2% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $49K get you in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
About photographic process workers and processing machine operators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Entry-level photographic process workers and processing machine operators (10th percentile) start around $39K. Mid-career wages sit at $49K.Top earners bring in $74K or more - a $35K spread from bottom to top.
Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $72K | +80% | 340 |
| Washington | $52K | +29% | 70 |
| Michigan | $52K | +29% | 720 |
| Maryland | $51K | +27% | 120 |
| Ohio | $50K | +25% | 30 |
| California | $46K | +14% | 940 |
| Wisconsin | $45K | +12% | 90 |
| New Jersey | $41K | +3% | 90 |
| Utah | $40K | +0% | 110 |
| Kentucky | $39K | -3% | 60 |
| Oregon | $39K | -4% | 60 |
| Texas | $38K | -5% | 190 |
| Missouri | $37K | -7% | N/A |
| Massachusetts | $37K | -7% | N/A |
| Virginia | $36K | -9% | 130 |
Track photographic process workers and processing machine operators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do photographic process workers and processing machine operators make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median is $49,350 a year - that works out to about $23.73 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $38,970, and experienced photographic process workers and processing machine operators can clear $73,960. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $49K enough to live in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,370/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,483/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 103.4% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a photographic process workers and processing machine operators salary go in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara has a Regional Price Parity of 110.42 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median photographic process workers and processing machine operators salary is worth about $44,693 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do photographic process workers and processing machine operators get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.