Careers · Explore one path
Etchers and Engravers
Engrave or etch metal, wood, rubber, or other materials. Includes such workers as etcher-circuit processors, pantograph engravers, and silk screen etchers.
Other titles employers use
Acid Etch Operator · Award Machine Operator · Chemical Engraver · Electronic Engraver · Engraver · Etcher · Laser Engraver · Photo Engraver
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
3 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical, creative and organizing work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Creative
- Making, designing, writing, or performing without one set answer
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Monitoring
- Operations Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
Subjects to know
- Production and Processing
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mechanical
- Design
Useful strengths
- Near Vision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Control Precision
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 2.8 | Largely your own space |
| On your feet | 3.4 | Up and down through the day |
| Talking face to face | 4.9 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 4.4 | Handling tools, instruments or materials |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a high school diploma. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- High school or less 86%
- A two-year degree 13%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Office suite software
- Operating system software
- Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
- Computer aided design CAD and computer aided manufacturing CAM system
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 1,400
- Job openings each year
- 220
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 14.8%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utah | 1,400 | 220 | 14.8% |
| Wisconsin | 620 | 100 | 6.9% |
| Indiana | 590 | 90 | — |
| Texas | 590 | 90 | 15.7% |
| Connecticut | 420 | 70 | 27.3% |
| Montana | 370 | 60 | 23.3% |
| Virginia | 330 | 50 | — |
| Georgia | 290 | 50 | 7.4% |
| Washington | 290 | 50 | 11.5% |
| Missouri | 280 | 40 | −3.4% |
| Tennessee | 240 | 40 | 4.3% |
| Ohio | 230 | 40 | −8.0% |
| Kansas | 220 | 40 | — |
| Pennsylvania | 210 | 30 | −4.5% |
| Arkansas | 200 | 30 | 17.6% |
| Massachusetts | 180 | 30 | 5.9% |
| North Carolina | 180 | 30 | 5.9% |
| Michigan | 140 | 20 | — |
| Vermont | 140 | 20 | — |
| Minnesota | 130 | 20 | — |
| Colorado | 110 | 20 | — |
| Iowa | 100 | 20 | — |
| New Hampshire | 90 | 10 | — |
| Oregon | 90 | 10 | — |
| Kentucky | 60 | 10 | — |
| Mississippi | 60 | 10 | — |
| Wyoming | 60 | 10 | 20.0% |
| Alabama | 50 | 10 | — |
| North Dakota | 50 | 10 | 25.0% |
| Maine | 40 | 10 | — |
| Rhode Island | 40 | 10 | −20.0% |
| South Dakota | 40 | 10 | — |
| Nebraska | 30 | 10 | — |
| Nevada | 30 | 10 | — |
| New Jersey | 20 | 0 | — |
| South Carolina | 20 | 0 | — |
| Idaho | 10 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Savannah College of Art and Design
- Degrees each year
- 524
- Admit rate
- 84%
- Annual cost after aid
- $49,000
Columbia College Chicago
- Degrees each year
- 212
- Admit rate
- 91%
- Annual cost after aid
- $26,000
Ringling College of Art and Design
- Degrees each year
- 124
- Admit rate
- 67%
- Annual cost after aid
- $55,000
Arizona State University Campus Immersion
- Degrees each year
- 92
- Admit rate
- 90%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
George Mason University
- Degrees each year
- 80
- Admit rate
- 89%
- Annual cost after aid
- $15,000
Art Center College of Design
- Degrees each year
- 79
- Admit rate
- 75%
- Annual cost after aid
- —
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
- Degrees each year
- 75
- Admit rate
- 30%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
University of Maryland Global Campus
- Degrees each year
- 64
- Admit rate
- Not reported
- Annual cost after aid
- —