National Occupational Classification, TEER 4
NOC 94153: Photographic and film processors
Photographic and film processors process and finish still photographic film and motion picture film. Below are the main duties, all 54 job titles it covers, what it means for Express Entry and what it pays in each province.
Updated
- Official NOC 2021 data
- Job Bank wages
What is NOC 94153?
NOC 94153 is the code for photographic and film processors in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021. Job titles in this group include darkroom technician, film developer, film printing machine operator and film processor. It is a TEER 4 occupation (usually a high school diploma or several weeks of on-the-job training), so it does not count as skilled work for Express Entry. The Job Bank median wage across Canada is $20.00 an hour.
- NOC code
- 94153
- TEER
- 4: High school or several weeks of training
- Broad category
- Occupations in manufacturing and utilities
- Express Entry
- Not skilled
- Category draws
- None
- Median wage
- $20.00 an hour
Job titles under NOC 94153
Photographic and film processors process and finish still photographic film and motion picture film. They are employed in film processing laboratories and retail photofinishing establishments.
Main job titles
- darkroom technician
- film developer
- film printing machine operator
- film processor
- photofinisher
- photograph developer
- photograph inspector - photographic processing
- photographic processor
All 54 job titles in the NOC index
chemical mixer - photographic processing, colour film analyzer - photographic processing, copy camera operator - photographic processing, darkroom technician, darkroom technician - photographic processing, developer-printer machine tender, developing machine operator - photographic processing, enlarger operator - photographic processing, film developer, film printing machine operator, film processing technician, film processor, film splicer - photographic processing, film-developing machine tender, film-printing machine tender, film-processing machine operator, motion picture film developer, motion picture film examiner - photographic processing, motion picture film printer, negative cutter - film processing, negative restorer - photographic processing, negative retoucher, negative spotter - film processing, negative-contact-frame operator, photo developer, photo developer-printer, photo developing inspector, photo lab technician, photo processor, photo technician, photofinisher, photograph developer, photograph developing inspector, photograph enlarger, photograph inspector - photographic processing, photograph mounter, photographic and film-processing machine operator, photographic enlarger operator, photographic film printer, photographic film processor, photographic printer, photographic processor, photographic-film-processing machine operator, photographic-processing machine operator, picture enlarger - photographic processing, print developer, print finisher - photographic processing, print inspector - photographic processing, print retoucher - photographic processing, print tender - photographic processing, quick print machine tender - photographic processing, slide maker - photographic processing, X-ray film developer, X-ray plate developer.
Main duties of NOC 94153
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Operate equipment to develop negatives and slides, and to print black and white and colour photographs
- Operate photographic enlarging equipment to produce prints and enlargements from negatives
- Operate equipment to develop motion picture film
- Tend automatic equipment in retail establishments to develop colour negatives, prints and slides
- Operate equipment to transfer film to video tape
- Retouch photographic negatives or original prints to correct defects
- Splice film and mount film on reels
- Measure and mix chemicals required for processing
- Inspect rolls of photographic prints for conformance to specifications; or motion picture film to detect defects in developing and printing.
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
- For employment in film processing laboratories, completion of a college or other specialized photography program or Extensive related experience is required.
- For employment as a film printing machine operator in retail outlets, on-the-job training is provided.
Additional information
- There is mobility among occupations within laboratory processing operations.
- Progression is possible from automatic machine tenders in retail establishments to laboratory processing occupations.
Is NOC 94153 eligible for Express Entry?
Not for the main Express Entry programs, which need TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 work. TEER 4 jobs can still lead to permanent residence through some provincial and other programs, so check each program's own list.
| Program or draw | NOC 94153 |
|---|---|
| Federal Skilled Worker Program | Does not count (TEER 4) |
| Canadian Experience Class | Does not count (TEER 4) |
| Federal Skilled Trades Program | Not a listed trade |
| Occupation category draws (2026) | Not on any occupation list |
| French-language proficiency (category draw) | Open to any occupation with NCLC 7 in French |
Read how TEER categories work and the full list of NOC codes in each 2026 category draw. Category draws also need at least 12 months of full-time work (or the same amount part-time) in one listed occupation within the past 3 years.
How much does NOC 94153 pay?
Job Bank wages for this occupation, per hour. Low and high are, in most cases, the 10th and 90th percentiles, so 8 in 10 workers earn somewhere between them.
| Area | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $16.20 | $20.00 | $30.78 |
Source: Job Bank, Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank 2025 wages, revised November 19, 2025), data from 2023-2024 (Employment Insurance Survey Data). Wages for job offers in LMIA and provincial programs are compared with these figures, so check the current numbers on Job Bank before you rely on them.
Using NOC 94153 duties on your resume
Canadian resumes do not list NOC codes. Employers read your job titles, what you did and what came of it. The NOC duties are still a useful checklist: if you did these tasks, say so in your own words and add the numbers that prove it.
For Express Entry, the reference letter from your employer should describe the duties you really performed, in line with this lead statement and most of the main duties, without copying the NOC text word for word. The free reference letter generator checks your duties against NOC 94153 as you write.
- Start each bullet with a strong verb and end it with a result: how many, how often, how fast.
- Use the job title your employer used, even if the NOC title is different.
- Keep immigration details such as your NOC code and permit type off the resume.
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Where this information comes from
Occupation codes, titles and descriptions are adapted from Statistics Canada, National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0. This does not constitute an endorsement by Statistics Canada of this product.
Wages come from Job Bank, Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank 2025 wages, revised November 19, 2025). Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada.
Express Entry rules come from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): the program pages for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class and the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the category-based selection page as modified on June 22, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the NOC code for a darkroom technician?
NOC 94153, Photographic and film processors, a TEER 4 occupation in NOC 2021.
What TEER is NOC 94153?
TEER 4. Usually a high school diploma or several weeks of on-the-job training. The TEER is the second digit of the code. See all TEER categories.
Is NOC 94153 eligible for Express Entry?
Not for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class or the Federal Skilled Trades Program, which need TEER 0 to 3 work. Some provincial nominee programs and other pathways accept TEER 4 jobs.
Is NOC 94153 in an Express Entry category-based draw?
No. It is not on any 2026 occupation list. The French-language proficiency category is open to any occupation if you reach NCLC 7 in French. See every category.
How much does NOC 94153 pay in Canada?
The Job Bank median across Canada is $20.00 an hour, with most wages between $16.20 and $30.78. Pay varies by province: see the table above.
Where is the official description?
On the Statistics Canada and ESDC NOC site: search 94153 in NOC 2021 Version 1.0. This page shows the same text, from the open data Statistics Canada publishes.
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More on NOC codes and Canadian resumes
- NOC Code Finder: Describe your duties and get your NOC 2021 code, TEER and Express Entry eligibility. Free.
- NOC Codes Canada: Full List: All 516 NOC 2021 codes with their TEER, duties and wages.
- TEER Categories Explained: What TEER 0 to 5 means, which count for Express Entry, and every job in each one.
- Express Entry Category Draws: NOC Codes: Every NOC code on the 2026 healthcare, STEM, trades, education and other lists.
- Canadian Resume Examples by Job: Real examples for cashiers, caregivers, trades, tech, students and more.
- Newcomer Resume Guide: Turn international experience into a resume Canadian employers understand.