Etchers and Engravers in California
Thinking about a career as an Etchers and Engravers in California? Here’s what you need to know. Engrave or etch metal, wood, rubber, or other materials. Includes such workers as etcher-circuit processors, pantograph engravers, and silk screen etchers. Photoengravers are included in “Prepress Technicians and Workers” (51-5111).
What do Etchers and Engravers Make in California?
The etchers and engravers working in California, the median annual wage is $42,800 per year (or about $20.58/hour).Earnings range from $34,590 at the 10th percentile to $62,260 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $34,590 | $16.63 |
| 25th percentile | $37,870 | $18.21 |
| Median (50th) | $42,800 | $20.58 |
| 75th percentile | $54,700 | $26.30 |
| 90th percentile | $62,260 | $29.93 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in California nationwide is 0.88, suggesting fewer etchers and engravers per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, etchers and engravers earn a median of $28,903 per year ($13.90/hour), above the California median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 862,700 etchers and engravers across the United States. In California alone, approximately 860 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 110 etchers and engravers.
Top California Metros for Etchers and Engravers
The largest metro-area employers of etchers and engravers in California.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 340 | $41,530 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 100 | $37,060 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 100 | $42,800 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 90 | $59,010 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 60 | $45,910 |
Top States for Etchers and Engravers Employment
These states have the highest employment of etchers and engravers work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Texas | 1,130 |
| California | 860 |
| Wisconsin | 520 |
| Michigan | 500 |
| Massachusetts | 490 |
| New York | 460 |
| Illinois | 390 |
| Indiana | 310 |
| Tennessee | 260 |
| Florida | 250 |
| Virginia | 250 |
| Pennsylvania | 230 |
| Arizona | 220 |
| Ohio | 210 |
| Minnesota | 210 |
| Maryland | 170 |
| Oregon | 150 |
| Iowa | 140 |
| Arkansas | 110 |
| Colorado | 100 |
Highest-Paying States for Etchers and Engravers
These states pay the most for etchers and engravers.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Vermont | $68,030 |
| Rhode Island | $59,690 |
| Washington | $57,520 |
| Maryland | $52,000 |
| New Jersey | $50,530 |
| Illinois | $47,720 |
| Tennessee | $46,040 |
| Pennsylvania | $45,890 |
| Connecticut | $44,860 |
| Minnesota | $44,260 |
Skills
Top etchers and engravers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for etchers and engravers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Etchers and Engravers typically:
- Inspect etched work for depth of etching, uniformity, and defects, using calibrated microscopes, gauges, fingers, or magnifying lenses.
- Examine sketches, diagrams, samples, blueprints, or photographs to decide how designs are to be etched, cut, or engraved onto workpieces.
- Clean and polish engraved areas.
- 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.
- 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.
- Prepare etching chemicals according to formulas, diluting acid with water to obtain solutions of specified concentration.
- Use computer software to design patterns for engraving.
- Expose workpieces to acid to develop etch patterns such as designs, lettering, or figures.
- Adjust depths and sizes of cuts by adjusting heights of worktables, or by adjusting machine-arm gauges.
- Measure and compute dimensions of lettering, designs, or patterns to be engraved.
- Neutralize workpieces to remove acid, wax, or enamel, using water, solvents, brushes, or specialized machines.
- Examine engraving for quality of cut, burrs, rough spots, and irregular or incomplete engraving.
Work Activities
- Getting Information
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
- Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Thinking Creatively
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Processing Information
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Adobe Illustrator In-demand technologies: Microsoft Office software
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
- Graphic Communications
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Related Careers
Related occupations to etchers and engravers include:
- Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Model Makers, Metal and Plastic
- Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic
- Tool and Die Makers
Also Known As
Acid Etch Operator, Award Machine Operator, Block Engraver, Bowling Ball Engraver, Chemical Engraver, Cold Etch Operator, Decorative Engraver, Die Cutter, Dynamic Etching Processor, Electronic Engraver, Embosser, Engraver, Engraving Equipment Operator, Engraving Finisher, Engraving Patternmaker.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 51-9194.00
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