How much does a etcher and engraver make?
The median etcher and engraver in the United States earns $43,310 per year, about $20.82 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all etchers and engravers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 51-9194.
Etcher and engraver salary range
Pay for etchers and engravers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $32,210 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $63,360. The average (mean) wage of $46,320 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $32,210 | $15.49 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $37,400 | $17.98 | |
| Median (50th) | $43,310 | $20.82 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $53,050 | $25.51 | |
| 90th percentile | $63,360 | $30.46 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for etchers and engravers (SOC 51-9194), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Etcher and engraver salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Etchers and engravers earn the most in Vermont at $65,380 a year, and the least in South Carolina at $28,300. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont | $65,380 | 40 |
| Rhode Island | $63,250 | 30 |
| Arizona | $59,940 | N/A |
| New Jersey | $58,000 | 60 |
| Maryland | $53,680 | 110 |
| Kansas | $52,000 | 40 |
| New York | $51,540 | 520 |
| Massachusetts | $50,710 | 320 |
| Ohio | $50,430 | 320 |
| Wisconsin | $50,290 | 390 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,790 | 260 |
| Maine | $47,520 | 70 |
| Arkansas | $46,780 | 180 |
| California | $46,480 | 1,040 |
| Minnesota | $46,280 | 210 |
| Connecticut | $45,050 | 140 |
| Indiana | $44,360 | 170 |
| Washington | $43,680 | 160 |
| Illinois | $43,450 | 330 |
| Michigan | $43,180 | 390 |
| Iowa | $42,950 | 70 |
| Idaho | $42,640 | 50 |
| Florida | $42,110 | 200 |
| Colorado | $40,800 | 50 |
| South Dakota | $40,590 | 60 |
| Georgia | $40,190 | 60 |
| Virginia | $39,360 | 160 |
| North Carolina | $39,270 | N/A |
| Tennessee | $38,230 | 300 |
| Missouri | $37,990 | 80 |
| Oregon | $37,780 | 220 |
| Kentucky | $36,540 | 250 |
| Oklahoma | $35,890 | 110 |
| Louisiana | $32,880 | 40 |
| Texas | $31,180 | 630 |
| Alabama | $31,030 | 60 |
| South Carolina | $28,300 | 50 |
State median wages for etchers and engravers (SOC 51-9194), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for etchers and engravers
The BLS projects employment of etchers and engravers to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 0.7%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 8,900 jobs in 2025 moving toward 8,800 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 800 openings a year for etchers and engravers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an etcher and engraver
The typical entry-level education for etchers and engravers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an etcher and engraver earns
Industry, shift, certifications, and region drive pay, along with overtime. Skilled operators and workers in unionized plants sit near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Vermont, $65,380) and the lowest (South Carolina, $28,300) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 7,750 people work as etchers and engravers in the United States. At $43,310 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Etcher and engraver salary FAQ
How much does an etcher and engraver make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an etcher and engraver is $20.82. The middle half of etchers and engravers earn between $17.98 and $25.51 per hour.
What is the highest etcher and engraver salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of etchers and engravers earn more than $63,360 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an etcher and engraver make a year?
The median annual salary for an etcher and engraver is $43,310. The average (mean) wage of $46,320 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an etcher and engraver a well paid job?
At $43,310 a year, an etcher and engraver earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 7,750 people work as etchers and engravers in the United States.
Which state pays etchers and engravers the most?
Vermont has the highest median salary for etchers and engravers at $65,380 a year. Rhode Island ($63,250) and Arizona ($59,940) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an etcher and engraver a good career?
Employment of etchers and engravers is projected to shrink 0.7% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 800 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an etcher and engraver?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for etchers and engravers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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