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What is an Etcher or Engraver?

Job Description & Duties Engrave or etch metal, wood, rubber, or other materials. Includes such workers as etcher-circuit processors, pantograph engravers, and silk screen etchers.

Life As an Etcher or Engraver

Insert cutting tools or bits into machines and secure them with wrenches.
Set reduction scales to attain specified sizes of reproduction on workpieces, and set pantograph controls for required heights, depths, and widths of cuts.
Neutralize workpieces to remove acid, wax, or enamel, using water, solvents, brushes, or specialized machines.
Examine sketches, diagrams, samples, blueprints, or photographs to decide how designs are to be etched, cut, or engraved onto workpieces.
Start machines and lower cutting tools to beginning points on patterns.
Examine engraving for quality of cut, burrs, rough spots, and irregular or incomplete engraving.

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Etcher or Engraver Required Skills

Below is a list of the skills most Etchers and Engravers say are important on the job.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Types of Etcher or Engraver

Rework Operator
Die Cutter
Lens Engraver
Internal Carver
Seals Engraver

Is There Job Demand for Etchers and Engravers?

There were about 10,600 jobs for Etcher or Engraver in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Etcher or Engraver. The BLS estimates 1,300 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Etcher or Engraver are Nevada, Arkansas, and North Dakota. Watch out if you plan on working in South Dakota, Massachusetts, or New Jersey. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

What is the Average Salary of an Etcher or Engraver

Etchers and Engravers make between $20,520 and $51,720 a year.

Etchers and Engravers who work in Oregon, Nebraska, or New York, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Etchers and Engravers in different U.S. states.

State	Annual Mean Salary
Alabama	$40,650
Arizona	$27,610
California	$35,000
Florida	$24,530
Georgia	$28,140
Illinois	$30,260
Indiana	$38,620
Iowa	$32,670
Kansas	$25,560
Kentucky	$35,060
Louisiana	$25,310
Maine	$36,160
Maryland	$52,060
Massachusetts	$39,470
Michigan	$38,040
Minnesota	$33,780
Mississippi	$33,600
Missouri	$37,190
Montana	$35,100
Nebraska	$40,220
Nevada	$25,010
New Hampshire	$38,070
New Jersey	$28,880
New York	$47,020
North Dakota	$24,490
Ohio	$36,580
Oklahoma	$30,290
Oregon	$39,900
Pennsylvania	$33,040
Rhode Island	$42,690
South Carolina	$32,390
Tennessee	$24,900
Texas	$32,790
Utah	$32,210
Virginia	$41,110
Washington	$44,950
West Virginia	$32,360
Wisconsin	$34,950

What Tools & Technology do Etchers and Engravers Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Etchers and Engravers may use on a daily basis:

Data entry software
Microsoft Windows
Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator

How to Become an Etcher or Engraver

What education is needed to be an Etcher or Engraver?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where do Etchers and Engravers Work?

Etchers and Engravers work in the following industries:

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References:

Image Credit: Auburn University College of Architecture, Design and Construction via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International

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