Description
Engrave or etch metal, wood, rubber, or other materials. Includes such workers as etcher-circuit processors, pantograph engravers, and silk screen etchers.
Interests
- Realistic
- Conventional
- Artistic
Work Values
- Support
- Independence
- Relationships
Work Styles
- Attention to Detail
- Independence
- Dependability
- Achievement/Effort
- Persistence
Tasks
- 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.
- Prepare workpieces for etching or engraving by cutting, sanding, cleaning, polishing, or treating them with wax, acid resist, lime, etching powder, or light-sensitive enamel.
- Engrave and print patterns, designs, etchings, trademarks, or lettering onto flat or curved surfaces of a wide variety of metal, glass, plastic, or paper items, using hand tools or hand-held power tools.
Work Activities
- Getting Information
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Handling and Moving Objects
Detailed Work Activities
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
- Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
- Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
- Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
- Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
- Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Technology Skills
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
- Operating system software
- Computer aided design CAD and computer aided manufacturing CAM system
Abilities
- Near Vision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Control Precision
- Oral Comprehension
- Finger Dexterity
Skills
- Monitoring
- Operations Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
Knowledge
- Production and Processing
- Customer and Personal Service
- Design
- Mechanical
Most Common Education Level
The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.
Certificates
This information is currently unavailable.
Income Percentile
The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.
| Income Percentile | Annual Income |
|---|---|
| Low (10%) | $35,240 |
| Median (50%) | $41,955 |
| High (90%) | $52,619 |
Income by Experience
This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).
| Experience | Income |
|---|---|
Entry Level  | $42,491 |
| Mid Level | $51,555 |
| Senior Level | $55,706 |
| Expert Level | N/A |
Employability
There are currently 11,700 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to increase to 11,900 positions, reflecting a projected growth of 2%.
The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.
Projected Job Growth of 2%
Related Careers
The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.
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