Etchers and engravers salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $32,210 | $15.49 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $43,310 | $20.82 |
| Mean (average) | $46,320 | $22.27 |
| 90th percentile | $63,360 | $30.46 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Etchers and engravers pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 37 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $31,030 | $25,770 | $45,790 | 60 | 0.59 |
| Arizona | $59,940 | $37,490 | $67,700 | ||
| Arkansas | $46,780 | $36,450 | $57,280 | 180 | 2.76 |
| California | $46,480 | $38,890 | $74,510 | 1,040 | 1.15 |
| Colorado | $40,800 | $33,980 | $60,560 | 50 | 0.33 |
| Connecticut | $45,050 | $36,610 | $57,690 | 140 | 1.69 |
| Florida | $42,110 | $34,790 | $64,700 | 200 | 0.4 |
| Georgia | $40,190 | $30,970 | $104,100 | 60 | 0.24 |
| Idaho | $42,640 | $31,520 | $46,480 | 50 | 1.12 |
| Illinois | $43,450 | $31,200 | $62,410 | 330 | 1.09 |
| Indiana | $44,360 | $28,380 | $63,410 | 170 | 1.08 |
| Iowa | $42,950 | $37,580 | $54,770 | 70 | 0.95 |
| Kansas | $52,000 | $15,080 | $53,740 | 40 | 0.6 |
| Kentucky | $36,540 | $32,920 | $40,000 | 250 | 2.55 |
| Louisiana | $32,880 | $28,610 | $42,640 | 40 | 0.38 |
| Maine | $47,520 | $35,050 | $63,010 | 70 | 2.26 |
| Maryland | $53,680 | $40,140 | $60,330 | 110 | 0.81 |
| Massachusetts | $50,710 | $40,830 | $62,200 | 320 | 1.77 |
| Michigan | $43,180 | $36,340 | $74,990 | 390 | 1.75 |
| Minnesota | $46,280 | $32,420 | $60,640 | 210 | 1.4 |
| Missouri | $37,990 | $33,330 | $42,640 | 80 | 0.56 |
| New Jersey | $58,000 | $49,080 | $120,690 | 60 | 0.3 |
| New York | $51,540 | $37,720 | $60,520 | 520 | 1.08 |
| North Carolina | $39,270 | $31,210 | $50,760 | ||
| Ohio | $50,430 | $36,290 | $75,650 | 320 | 1.14 |
| Oklahoma | $35,890 | $32,210 | $44,410 | 110 | 1.26 |
| Oregon | $37,780 | $34,320 | $46,760 | 220 | 2.26 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,790 | $34,290 | $57,410 | 260 | 0.87 |
| Rhode Island | $63,250 | $42,240 | $75,160 | 30 | 1.35 |
| South Carolina | $28,300 | $21,080 | $58,420 | 50 | 0.45 |
| South Dakota | $40,590 | $32,210 | $57,570 | 60 | 2.47 |
| Tennessee | $38,230 | $34,510 | $57,480 | 300 | 1.84 |
| Texas | $31,180 | $21,470 | $50,010 | 630 | 0.9 |
| Vermont | $65,380 | $36,430 | $72,440 | 40 | 2.9 |
| Virginia | $39,360 | $29,250 | $59,080 | 160 | 0.8 |
| Washington | $43,680 | $39,230 | $63,880 | 160 | 0.9 |
| Wisconsin | $50,290 | $38,060 | $76,050 | 390 | 2.65 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for etchers and engravers
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 800. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Share of workers who are self-employed (2025): 12.7%.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for etchers and engravers
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- Graphic Communications, Other CIP 10.0399
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical 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.
Technology skills
- Microsoft Office software (in demand)
- Adobe Illustrator (hot technology)
- Microsoft Windows (hot technology)
- Computer aided design and computer aided manufacturing CAD/CAM engraving software
- Corel CorelDraw Graphics Suite
- Delcam ArtCAM Express
- Gravograph GravoStyle
- Western Engravers Supply Vision EXPERT
Transferable skills for career changers: Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Quality Control Analysis, Judgment and Decision Making, Social Perceptiveness, Time Management.
Common job titles: Acid Etch Operator, Award Machine Operator, Chemical Engraver, Electronic Engraver, Engraver, Etcher, Laser Engraver, Photo Engraver, Screen Making Technician, Wet Process Technician.
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do etchers and engravers make?
The national median annual wage for etchers and engravers was $43,310 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $32,210 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $63,360. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do etchers and engravers need?
BLS lists high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and moderate-term on-the-job training on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is etchers and engravers a growing career?
BLS projects employment of etchers and engravers to change -0.7% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 800 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay etchers and engravers the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were Vermont ($65,380), Rhode Island ($63,250), Arizona ($59,940). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.