Etchers and Engravers earn a median of $43,310 per year ($20.82/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to fall 0.7% through 2035, with about 800 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 51-9194
- Production
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Etcher and Engraver in four numbers
- Median pay
- $43,310a year, or $20.82/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $32KTop 10% $63K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -0.7%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−0.7%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −0.7% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 8008,900 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 20258.9K
- Projected 20358.8K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 8.9K Projected 2035 8.8K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school32.7%
- High school53.9%
- Certificate0.8%
- Associate's12.7%
Highest education held by etchers and engravers Segment Value Less than high school 32.7% High school 53.9% Certificate 0.8% Associate's 12.7%
Also advertised as: Acid Etch Operator, Award Machine Operator, Chemical Engraver, Electronic Engraver, Engraver, Etcher.
Pay
How much do Etchers and Engravers make?
Every etcher and engraver in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$43,310
Middle half earn $37,400 to $53,050
- 10th
- $32,210
- 25th
- $37,400
- 75th
- $53,050
- 90th
- $63,360
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $32,210 |
| 25th | $37,400 |
| Median | $43,310 |
| 75th | $53,050 |
| 90th | $63,360 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $43,310
- Median hourly wage
- $20.82/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $46,320
- People employed
- 7,750
Versus all US occupations
At $43,310, Etchers and Engravers earn 15% below the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $7,670 a year.
Versus production occupations
Inside the Production group, where the middle occupation pays $48,030, this is 10% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $63,360 or more while the bottom 10% earn $32,210, a gap of 2.0×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 10% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Vermont pays the most at $65,380, and still leads at $66,743 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Etchers and Engravers the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Vermont | $65,380 | $66,743 | 40 |
| 2Rhode Island | $63,250 | $61,840 | 30 |
| 3Arizona | $59,940 | $59,537 | N/A |
| 4New Jersey | $58,000 | $53,306 | 60 |
| 5Maryland | $53,680 | $51,144 | 110 |
| 6Kansas | $52,000 | $57,734 | 40 |
| 7New York | $51,540 | $47,757 | 520 |
| 8Massachusetts | $50,710 | $47,950 | 320 |
| 9Ohio | $50,430 | $54,358 | 320 |
| 10Wisconsin | $50,290 | $53,446 | 390 |
Job outlook
Is Etcher and Engraver a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -0.7% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Etchers and Engravers | −0.7% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Etchers and Engravers to change -0.7% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 100 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 800 openings are projected each year, 9.0% of the 8,900 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become an Etcher and Engraver
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Little or no preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as etchers and engravers.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)53.9%
- Less than a High School Diploma32.7%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree12.7%
- Post-Secondary Certificate0.8%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 53.9% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 32.7% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 12.7% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 0.8% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does an Etcher and Engraver do?
Engrave or etch metal, wood, rubber, or other materials. Includes such workers as etcher-circuit processors, pantograph engravers, and silk screen etchers.
Day-to-day tasks
- 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.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayConflict situations are rare.
Cost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension3.1
- Monitoring3.1
- Active Listening3.0
- Speaking3.0
- Critical Thinking3.0
- Active Learning2.4
- Writing2.3
- Learning Strategies2.3
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 3.1 |
| Monitoring | 3.1 |
| Active Listening | 3.0 |
| Speaking | 3.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.0 |
| Active Learning | 2.4 |
| Writing | 2.3 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Operations Monitoring3.1
- Operation and Control3.0
- Quality Control Analysis3.0
- Judgment and Decision Making2.9
- Social Perceptiveness2.8
- Time Management2.8
- Complex Problem Solving2.6
- Equipment Maintenance2.6
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 3.1 |
| Operation and Control | 3.0 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.0 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 2.9 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 2.8 |
| Time Management | 2.8 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 2.6 |
| Equipment Maintenance | 2.6 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Graphics or photo imaging software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Computer aided design CAD and computer aided manufacturing CAM system
- Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits an Etcher and Engraver?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Etcher and Engraver |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 7 |
| Investigative | 2 |
| Artistic | 4 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with creating, designing and working without a fixed set of rules.
- Realistic6.5
- Artistic3.8
- Conventional3.4
- Investigative2.5
- Social1.4
- Enterprising1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Etcher and Engraver
O*NET related occupations
- Production
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$41,600median a year
Most earn $31K to $61K
+1.3%No formal credential - Production
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Grinding and Polishing Worker, Hand
$42,660median a year
Most earn $33K to $61K
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$46,170median a year
Most earn $36K to $62K
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More production careers
Median annual pay, with etchers and engravers highlighted
- Power Plant Operator$102,040
- Tool and Die Maker$64,050
- Machinist$58,750
- Welder$53,750
- Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter$51,330
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator$50,690
- Etcher and Engraver$43,310
- Butcher and Meat Cutter$40,140
- Baker$37,160
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Plant Operator | $102,040 |
| Tool and Die Maker | $64,050 |
| Machinist | $58,750 |
| Welder | $53,750 |
| Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter | $51,330 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $50,690 |
| Etcher and Engraver | $43,310 |
| Butcher and Meat Cutter | $40,140 |
| Baker | $37,160 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Etcher and Engraver appears on
Questions
Etcher and Engraver: frequently asked questions
How much do Etchers and Engravers make?
Etchers and Engravers earn a median of $43,310 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 15% below the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $20.82/hr. The middle half earn between $37,400 and $53,050. The top 10% earn $63,360 or more.
Do you need a degree to become an Etcher and Engraver?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Etchers and Engravers. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 53.9% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Etcher and Engraver a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 0.7% over 2025–2035, a loss of 100 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 800 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does an Etcher and Engraver do?
Engrave or etch metal, wood, rubber, or other materials. A core O*NET task: inspect etched work for depth of etching, uniformity, and defects, using calibrated microscopes, gauges, fingers, or magnifying lenses. Employers most often ask for Graphics or photo imaging software, Office suite software, Operating system software.
Which states pay Etchers and Engravers the most?
The highest state medians for Etchers and Engravers are Vermont ($65,380), Rhode Island ($63,250), Arizona ($59,940) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits an Etcher and Engraver?
O*NET scores Etchers and Engravers highest on the Realistic, Artistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with creating, designing and working without a fixed set of rules. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ISTP, ISTJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.