Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers
Machines can already do 17% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 48%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 17% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 4% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2036, and 48% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 1,650 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $52,720 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 59% for contact with people.
- Also called: Camera Repair Technician, Camera Repairman, Camera Technician, Photo Equipment Technician.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adjust cameras, photographic mechanisms, or equipment such as range and view finders, shutters, light meters, or lens systems, using hand tools | 18% | 3% to 30% | |
| Disassemble equipment to gain access to defect, using hand tools | 12% | 3% to 30% | |
| Clean and lubricate cameras and polish camera lenses, using cleaning materials and work aids | 12% | 3% to 30% | |
| Test equipment performance, focus of lens system, diaphragm alignment, lens mounts, or film transport, using precision gauges | 10% | 20% to 60% | |
| Examine cameras, equipment, processed film, or laboratory reports to diagnose malfunction, using work aids and specifications | 10% | 20% to 60% | |
| Calibrate and verify accuracy of light meters, shutter diaphragm operation, or lens carriers, using timing instruments | 8% | 3% to 30% | |
| Read and interpret engineering drawings, diagrams, instructions, or specifications to determine needed repairs, fabrication method, and operation sequence | 5% | 55% to 85% | |
| Assemble aircraft cameras, still or motion picture cameras, photographic equipment, or frames, using diagrams, blueprints, bench machines, hand tools, or power tools | 5% | 3% to 30% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills camera and photographic equipment repairers use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Audiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers45% of tasks by 2035 · US median $52,600
- Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians41% of tasks by 2035 · US median $56,550
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics44% of tasks by 2035 · US median $50,620
- Motorcycle Mechanics37% of tasks by 2035 · US median $48,580
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2036. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of camera and photographic equipment repairers?
Machines can do 17% of the tasks of camera and photographic equipment repairers today and 48% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 49-9061.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/camera-and-photographic-equipment-repairers/