All About Etchers and Engravers
Etcher or Engraver Job 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
- 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.
- Neutralize workpieces to remove acid, wax, or enamel, using water, solvents, brushes, or specialized machines.
- Guide stylus over template, causing cutting tool to duplicate design or letters on workpiece.
- Position and clamp workpieces, plates, or rollers in holding fixtures.
- Observe actions of cutting tools through microscopes and adjust stylus movement to ensure accurate reproduction.
- Expose workpieces to acid to develop etch patterns such as designs, lettering, or figures.
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Qualities of an Etcher or Engraver
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.
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 Jobs
- Photo Engraver
- Machine Precision Etcher
- Siderographer
- Show Card Writer
- Hard Metals Hand Engraver
Job Outlook 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.
Etcher or Engraver Salary
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.
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 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
Becoming an Etcher or Engraver
What education or degrees do I need to become an Etcher or Engraver?

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

Where Etchers and Engravers Are Employed

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

You May Also Be Interested In…
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
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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