Etchers and Engravers

SOC code 51-9194 · O*NET-SOC 51-9194.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Manufacturing and production

Etchers and Engravers pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$43,310

a year

Hourly

$20.82

per hour

10th$32,210Median$43,31090th$63,360

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$46,320

$22.27 per hour

Middle 50%

$37,400 – $53,050

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$32,210 – $63,360

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

7,750

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

10th percentile: $32,210; $15.49/hr
25th percentile: $37,400; $17.98/hr
Median percentile: $43,310; $20.82/hr
75th percentile: $53,050; $25.51/hr
90th percentile: $63,360; $30.46/hr

What do etchers and engravers do?

Engrave or etch metal, wood, rubber, or other materials. Includes such workers as etcher-circuit processors, pantograph engravers, and silk screen etchers.

The tasks that matter most day to day

Inspect etched work for depth of etching, uniformity, and defects, using calibrated microscopes, gauges, fingers, or magnifying lenses.
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.
Examine sketches, diagrams, samples, blueprints, or photographs to decide how designs are to be etched, cut, or engraved onto workpieces.
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.

How to qualify for this work

Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 54% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.

Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed

Education: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Training: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

See all zone 2 occupations →

Education reported by people doing this job

High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)54%
Less than a High School Diploma33%
Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree13%
Post-Secondary Certificate1%

Common questions

How much does an etchers and engravers earn?

The national median is $43,310 a year. The full range runs from $32,210 at the 10th percentile to $63,360 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become an etchers and engravers without a degree?

Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Reading Comprehension3.1/5
Monitoring3.1/5
Active Listening3.0/5
Speaking3.0/5
Critical Thinking3.0/5

Knowledge areas

Production and Processing4.2/5
Customer and Personal Service3.4/5
Mechanical3.0/5
Design3.0/5
Administration and Management3.0/5
Mathematics2.8/5
Computers and Electronics2.8/5
Engineering and Technology2.7/5

Transferable strengths: Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Quality Control Analysis, Judgment and Decision Making, Social Perceptiveness.