Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers
Repair and adjust cameras and photographic equipment, including commercial video and motion picture camera equipment.
Also called: Aircraft Photographic Equipment Mechanic, Aircraft Photographic Equipment Repairer, Camera Machinist, Camera Mechanic, Camera Prototyping Engineer, Camera Repair Specialist
Median pay
$52,720
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$34,320 – $83,940
People employed
1,650
Holland code
RCI
Realistic · Conventional · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 2.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 3.Do you prefer working indoors?
- 4.Are you comfortable sitting at a desk most of the day?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers pay by state
Annual median pay by state (13 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers salary in every state →
What camera and photographic equipment repairers do
- 01Adjust cameras, photographic mechanisms, or equipment such as range and view finders, shutters, light meters, or lens systems, using hand tools.
- 02Disassemble equipment to gain access to defect, using hand tools.
- 03Test equipment performance, focus of lens system, diaphragm alignment, lens mounts, or film transport, using precision gauges.
- 04Clean and lubricate cameras and polish camera lenses, using cleaning materials and work aids.
- 05Install electrical assemblies and wiring in aircraft camera housings and memory cards or film in cameras, following blueprints and using hand tools and soldering equipment.
- 06Requisition parts or materials.
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
Knowledge
- Mechanical
- Computers and Electronics
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Engineering and Technology
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs vocational training or an associate degree (O*NET Job Zone 3).
- Related work experience: over 4 years, up to and including 6 years.
- On-the-job training: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from camera and photographic equipment repairers
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment84% · +41%
- Audiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers79% · 0%
- Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles78% · −8%
- Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers78% · −9%
- Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters76% · +19%
Change into camera and photographic equipment repairers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Audiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers79% · $52,600
- Motion Picture Projectionists75% · $38,270
- Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians74% · $57,550
- Motorcycle Mechanics74% · $48,580
- Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers73% · $47,810
Majors that lead here
- Precision Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians, Other
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.