Also called: Etcher, Laser Engraver
Engraves designs and lettering onto trophies, jewelry, firearms, plaques and printing rolls.
You set up a laser engraver to etch a team name onto 30 trophies, then switch to hand tools to carve fine scrollwork on a custom knife. Hand engravers who decorate fine firearms are rare and highly paid.
Master hand engravers earn much more.
High school diploma, about 0 years after high school. High-school diploma; on-the-job training or engraving classes.
Ways in: On-the-job training, Self-taught. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Shrinking (about -3% over 10 years). BLS projects a small decline.
High risk for 10 years. Laser and CNC engravers driven by software now do most engraving; only fine hand engraving survives.
Age 16+. One way to start: Apply at trophy, awards and gift-engraving shops; they teach the laser and rotary engravers
Classes: Art, Drafting/CAD class.
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.