What is an Etcher or Engraver?
Occupation Description 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: What Do They Do?
- Select and insert required templates into pattern frames beneath the stylus of a machine cutting tool or router.
- Measure and compute dimensions of lettering, designs, or patterns to be engraved.
- Prepare workpieces for etching or engraving by cutting, sanding, cleaning, polishing, or treating them with wax, acid resist, lime, etching powder, or light-sensitive enamel.
- Print proofs or examine designs to verify accuracy of engraving, and rework engraving as required.
- Set reduction scales to attain specified sizes of reproduction on workpieces, and set pantograph controls for required heights, depths, and widths of cuts.
- Carve designs and letters onto metal for transfer to other surfaces.
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What an Etcher or Engraver Should Know
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.
Other Etcher or Engraver Job Titles
- Silk Screen Etcher
- Textile Engraver
- Re-Etcher
- Silk Screen Processor
- Show Card Letterer
Are There Job Opportunities for Etchers and Engravers?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 10,600 jobs in the United States for Etcher or Engraver. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Etcher or Engraver. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 1,300 job openings in this field each year.

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.
Etcher or Engraver Salary
The typical yearly salary for Etchers and Engravers is somewhere between $20,520 and $51,720.

Etchers and Engravers who work in Oregon, Nebraska, or New York, make the highest salaries.
How much do Etchers and Engravers make in each U.S. state?
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?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Etchers and Engravers:
- Data entry software
- Microsoft Windows
- Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
How do I Become an Etcher or Engraver?
What kind of Etcher or Engraver requirements are there?

How Long Does it Take to Become an Etcher or Engraver?

Etchers and Engravers Sector

Below are examples of industries where Etchers and Engravers work:

Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those thinking about becoming an Etcher or Engraver might also be interested in the following careers:
References:
Image Credit: Auburn University College of Architecture, Design and Construction via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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