Also called: Hand Engraver, Etcher
Engraves designs and lettering into metal, glass, trophies, firearms, and jewelry.
They letter trophies and plaques with machines, or hand-engrave detailed scrolls on firearms and rings. Laser engravers are now common. Detail work requires a steady hand.
Based on BLS etchers and engravers, May 2024 estimates.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 0 years after high school. A high school diploma plus about a year of paid on-the-job training or apprenticeship, learning hand tools and engraving machines.
Ways in: On-the-job training, Apprenticeship. Training cost: Under $15k.
Shrinking (about -3% over 10 years). Laser engraving reduces demand for manual work.
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. Laser engravers automate most trophy, plaque and gift work; fine hand engraving on firearms and jewelry survives.
Age 16+. One way to start: Apply to trophy, awards and engraving shops; they train you on the laser and rotary engravers
Classes: Art, Computer applications, Metals or jewelry.
Official data: O*NET occupation 51-9194.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.