Etcher and Engraver Salary
Etchers and Engravers earn a median $43,310 a year nationally. Production Occupations
U.S. median
$43,310
$20.82 per hour
Range
$32,210 – $63,360
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
7,750
across the U.S.
▲7.1%
Pay trend: The median for etchers and engravers in the U.S. rose from $40,450 (May 2024) to $43,310 (May 2025). That beat inflation (2.4%), a real raise of about 4.7%.
What etchers and engravers do
Engrave or etch metal, wood, rubber, or other materials. Photoengravers are included in "Prepress Technicians and Workers" (51-5111).
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -0.7% (slower than average)
- Openings per year
- 800
- Self-employed
- 13%
Employment of etchers and engravers is projected to shrink 0.7% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 800 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Etcher and Engraver take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$36,980
per year · effective tax rate 14.6%
$3,082Monthly
$1,541Twice a month
$1,422Every 2 weeks
$17.78Hourly
- Federal income tax$3,017
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,685
- Medicare (1.45%)$628
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$36,980
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,210 | $15.49 | $28,061 |
| 25th percentile | $37,400 | $17.98 | $32,231 |
| Median (50th) | $43,310 | $20.82 | $36,980 |
| 75th percentile | $53,050 | $25.50 | $44,806 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,360 | $30.46 | $53,090 |
Etcher and Engraver salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vermont | $65,380 | −3.9% | $52,858 | $36,430 – $72,440 | 40 |
| Rhode Island | $63,250 | +6.0% | $51,246 | $42,240 – $75,160 | 30 |
| Arizona | $59,940 | +69.7% | $49,052 | $37,490 – $67,700 | — |
| New Jersey | $58,000 | +14.8% | $47,126 | $49,080 – $120,690 | 60 |
| Maryland | $53,680 | +3.2% | $43,126 | $40,140 – $60,330 | 110 |
| Kansas | $52,000 | +111.9% | $41,860 | $15,080 – $53,740 | 40 |
| New York | $51,540 | +33.0% | $41,406 | $37,720 – $60,520 | 520 |
| Massachusetts | $50,710 | +15.6% | $40,610 | $40,830 – $62,200 | 320 |
| Ohio | $50,430 | +36.7% | $42,096 | $36,290 – $75,650 | 320 |
| Wisconsin | $50,290 | +19.5% | $41,156 | $38,060 – $76,050 | 390 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,790 | +4.1% | $39,112 | $34,290 – $57,410 | 260 |
| Maine | $47,520 | +24.0% | $38,336 | $35,050 – $63,010 | 70 |
| Arkansas | $46,780 | +27.5% | $38,156 | $36,450 – $57,280 | 180 |
| California | $46,480 | +8.6% | $38,074 | $38,890 – $74,510 | 1,040 |
| Minnesota | $46,280 | +4.6% | $37,709 | $32,420 – $60,640 | 210 |
| Connecticut | $45,050 | +0.4% | $37,275 | $36,610 – $57,690 | 140 |
| Indiana | $44,360 | +3.7% | $36,544 | $28,380 – $63,410 | 170 |
| Washington | $43,680 | −24.1% | $37,277 | $39,230 – $63,880 | 160 |
| Illinois | $43,450 | −8.9% | $35,086 | $31,200 – $62,410 | 330 |
| Michigan | $43,180 | +2.0% | $35,291 | $36,340 – $74,990 | 390 |
| Iowa | $42,950 | +3.2% | $35,710 | $37,580 – $54,770 | 70 |
| Idaho | $42,640 | +16.4% | $35,290 | $31,520 – $46,480 | 50 |
| Florida | $42,110 | +5.6% | $36,015 | $34,790 – $64,700 | 200 |
| Colorado | $40,800 | −0.8% | $33,876 | $33,980 – $60,560 | 50 |
| South Dakota | $40,590 | −8.1% | $34,794 | $32,210 – $57,570 | 60 |
| Georgia | $40,190 | +3.4% | $33,010 | $30,970 – $104,100 | 60 |
| Virginia | $39,360 | +4.1% | $32,357 | $29,250 – $59,080 | 160 |
| North Carolina | $39,270 | +2.4% | $32,675 | $31,210 – $50,760 | — |
| Tennessee | $38,230 | −17.0% | $32,898 | $34,510 – $57,480 | 300 |
| Missouri | $37,990 | +8.0% | $31,857 | $33,330 – $42,640 | 80 |
| Oregon | $37,780 | −2.6% | $30,060 | $34,320 – $46,760 | 220 |
| Kentucky | $36,540 | −5.6% | $30,379 | $32,920 – $40,000 | 250 |
| Oklahoma | $35,890 | −3.5% | $29,948 | $32,210 – $44,410 | 110 |
| Louisiana | $32,880 | — | $27,999 | $28,610 – $42,640 | 40 |
| Texas | $31,180 | −12.6% | $27,233 | $21,470 – $50,010 | 630 |
| Alabama | $31,030 | −19.8% | $25,826 | $25,770 – $45,790 | 60 |
| South Carolina | $28,300 | −28.4% | $24,374 | $21,080 – $58,420 | 50 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders | $43,530 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.4% |
| Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operator and Tender | $41,330 | High school diploma or equivalent | +5.9% |
| Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic | $46,170 | High school diploma or equivalent | +5.8% |
| Adhesive Bonding Machine Operator and Tender | $46,460 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.3% |
| Production Workers, All Other | $40,110 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.8% |
| Helpers--Production Worker | $39,070 | High school diploma or equivalent | -8.2% |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $50,270 | High school diploma or equivalent | -3.6% |
| Tire Builder | $57,390 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.8% |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operator and Tender | $43,220 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.1% |
| Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand | $42,660 | No formal educational credential | -19.2% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a etcher and engraver make?
The national median salary for etchers and engravers is $43,310 a year ($20.82 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $32,210 and the top 10% earn over $63,360. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays etchers and engravers the most?
Vermont has the highest median pay at $65,380.
How many etchers and engravers are there in the U.S.?
About 7,750 people work as etchers and engravers nationwide.