All About Etchers and Engravers
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.
Etcher or Engraver Responsibilities
- Sandblast exposed areas of glass to cut designs in surfaces, using spray guns.
- Measure and compute dimensions of lettering, designs, or patterns to be engraved.
- Print proofs or examine designs to verify accuracy of engraving, and rework engraving as required.
- Sketch, trace, or scribe layout lines and designs on workpieces, plates, dies, or rollers, using compasses, scribers, gravers, or pencils.
- Examine engraving for quality of cut, burrs, rough spots, and irregular or incomplete engraving.
- Engrave and print patterns, designs, etchings, trademarks, or lettering onto flat or curved surfaces of a wide variety of metal, glass, plastic, or paper items, using hand tools or hand-held power tools.
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Things an Etcher or Engraver Should Know How to Do
When polled, Etchers and Engravers say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Types of Etcher or Engraver
- Internal Carver
- Etched Circuit Processor
- Wood Block Artist
- Lens Engraver
- Wax Engraver
Job Demand 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. There will be an estimated 1,300 positions for Etcher or Engraver per 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.
What is the Average Salary of an Etcher or Engraver
The average yearly salary of an Etcher or Engraver ranges 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 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?
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
Becoming an Etcher or Engraver
Are there Etchers and Engravers education requirements?

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

Where Etchers and Engravers Work

Below are examples of industries where Etchers and Engravers work:

Similar Careers
Those interested in being an Etcher or Engraver may also be interested in:
References:
Image Credit: Auburn University College of Architecture, Design and Construction via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International
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