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Etch or engrave patterns, lettering, and markings on materials such as metal, wood, rubber, glass, and plastic: read drawings and samples, prepare workpieces and etching chemicals, set equipment parameters, use hand and machine tools to complete etching and engraving, and check etch depth, evenness, and appearance quality.
This list is only for self-questioning; it does not constitute hiring criteria, a competency score, or a suitability conclusion. The typical U.S. entry point per BLS is a high school diploma or equivalent plus moderate on-the-job training, which cannot be extrapolated to a general requirement in China. First verify the target role's materials, manual/mechanical/laser/chemical processes, whether chemical baths are involved, and the training and protection arrangements.
First do the EG342 paper check on this page: given the V2 requirements and the A/B/C records, recompute dimensions, lettering, and burr condition item by item, then check the old drawings, gauge records, and the signing gaps; no workpieces, chemicals, or equipment are needed. The result can only test record reasoning, not demonstrate hands-on competence.
The daily work of etchers and engravers revolves around workpieces and processes: reading drawings, samples, and process cards, preparing and cleaning workpieces, mixing etching chemicals, setting equipment and tool parameters, using hand or machine tools to etch and engrave metal, glass, plastic, and other materials, checking depth, evenness, and appearance, and keeping process records.
U.S. O*NET-SOC 51-9194.00 "Etchers and Engravers": etch or engrave on metal, wood, rubber, or other materials; includes job types such as circuit board etching, pantograph engraving, and screen etching; officially listed as Job Zone 1-2 (preparation requirements from little to some).
Manufacturing, urban non-private units 113,594 yuan/year (2025)
Industry proxy value: industry-average scope, covering multiple occupations, cannot replace this occupation's wage.
Manufacturing, urban private units 76,055 yuan/year (2025)
O*NET 51-9194.00 wages and employment trends｜https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/51-9194.00; BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)｜https://www.bls.gov/oes/; BLS 2025–2035 Employment Projections data｜https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm
| Entry directions | Starting tasks | Evidence you can prepare | Work you can show without experience | Differences to note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice or workstation assistant | Prepare, clean, and wax workpieces under a mentor's guidance | Training workpieces and operating records | A list of differences between the EG342 V2 requirements and the old version (editorial exercise) | Preparation and support oriented; must focus on drawings and safety |
| Hand engraving operator | Complete hand engraving and finishing according to drawings | Workpieces and self-check records | Comparison of A/B/C text and appearance records (editorial exercise) | Hand-work oriented; must focus on dimensions and appearance |
| Mechanical or laser engraving operator | Set equipment parameters and complete engraving |
Etch or engrave patterns, lettering, and markings on materials such as metal, wood, rubber, glass, and plastic: read drawings and samples, prepare and clean workpieces, apply wax or resist treatment, mix etching chemicals, set equipment parameters, complete etching and engraving by hand or machine, and check depth, evenness, and appearance.
O*NET tasks include pattern software and template design as well as processing and inspection to drawings; the degree of design involved differs by role. It cannot be said uniformly that no artistic creation is needed, nor can artistic ability be deemed necessary from the occupation name; verify the target tasks first.
U.S. O*NET-SOC 51-9194.00 "Etchers and Engravers," corresponding to SOC 51-9194; the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook does not have a separate page for this occupation, so the wage and employment data on this page come from official values presented by O*NET and My Next Move from BLS OEWS and projections data.
Signals worth considering: willingness to focus on fine work for long periods, to strictly verify dimensions and appearance against drawings and process cards, and to accept workshop environments and chemical protection requirements. Signals requiring caution: unwillingness to record according to process, inability to accept fine hand work and repetitive tasks, or expecting the work to be mainly creative design.
This card is a career exploration reference and does not constitute a hiring, competency scoring, or safety and quality conclusion.
First judge whether you can turn drawings and process requirements into reviewable operating steps and self-check records and maintain precision over the long term, then judge whether you accept work conditions such as workshop environments, chemicals, and noise; use the paper exercise and seven-day task on this page to verify, rather than looking only at the words "engraving" or "craft."
Work context｜This occupation is mainly carried out in workshops and workstations, forming a work loop around workpiece preparation, etching or engraving, quality inspection, and records. Work location｜Manufacturing settings such as sign and award production, jewelry and precious metal processing, molds and tools, printing, and electronics. Work conditions｜O*NET records different work situations including indoor environments, hand operations, contaminants, and noise; chemical etching, mechanical, and laser workstations differ in conditions, and not every role involves contact with acid. Verify the specific shifts, materials, protection, and site conditions with the target employer. Main objects｜Metal, wood, rubber, glass, and plastic workpieces, as well as drawings, samples, and process cards. Collaboration｜Work with designers, process engineers, upstream and downstream colleagues, and quality staff. Tools and materials｜Hand engraving tools, pantographs, laser and mechanical engraving equipment, etching tanks, and gauges. Institutional basis｜Process card and drawing requirements, chemical safety and occupational health procedures, and institutional quality systems. Record requirements｜Workpiece numbers, process parameters, etching times, and inspection results must be documented as required. Safety boundaries｜Contact with acids and solvents must follow safety procedures and protection requirements; drawing changes and process determinations are confirmed by authorized personnel; this page does not provide site-specific conclusions on safety or material processes.
Mainly workpiece preparation and etching or engraving operations
Verify U.S. wages and employment separately by publication cycle: O*NET shows a 2025 median hourly wage of $20.82 and an annual wage of $43,310; the current BLS Table 1.2 shows employment of about 8,900 in 2025, a change of -0.7% from 2025 to 2035, and about 800 annual openings. Openings include replacement needs and are not a ten-year total or net new positions.
Read drawings and process cards → Prepare and clean the workpiece → Apply wax or resist → Mix the etching solution → Etch or engrave → Check depth and appearance → Record and rework
National Bureau of Statistics 2025 urban unit wages: this occupation is not listed separately at the national level; this page uses the average wage of the "Manufacturing" industry as a proxy (non-private 113,594 yuan/year, private 76,055 yuan/year), only to describe the industry context.
Mainly setting equipment and process parameters
BLS Table 1.2: 51-9194 is projected to change by -0.7% from 2025 to 2035, a net decrease of about 100, with about 800 annual openings. The O*NET page in this round already shows the 2025–2035 projection and the 2025 main industries of manufacturing/retail trade; the growth rate and industry years must be read from their respective items.
Verify drawings and materials → Prepare the workpiece and resist layer → Mix and test the etching solution → Set equipment parameters → Etch and engrave → Clean and inspect → Record the results
Jurisdiction boundaries: in the United States, workplaces covered by OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1200 must verify hazardous chemical labels, safety data sheets, and employee information training; 1910.132 concerns risk assessment and personal protective equipment. Requirements in mainland China must be verified separately against local applicable regulations, materials, and roles, and this page does not verify general licensing or complete environmental obligations; it does not provide solution mixing, operating, or site safety determinations.
Process data and quality records: workpiece numbers, process parameters, etching times, and inspection results must all be documented as required.
Compare by main deliverable: this occupation focuses on etching or engraving workpiece surfaces and inspection records; jewelry, molds, machining, prepress, and craft have their own main outputs, but actual tasks can overlap. Jewelry roles may also engrave, and CNC equipment may also be used in this occupation; verify the specific tasks first and do not exclude each other by occupation name.
Complete etching or engraving according to drawings and process cards and self-check
Read drawings and process cards, prepare workpieces, set up equipment and process them, and verify dimensions and appearance; O*NET tasks include adjusting cutting dimensions and inspecting and reworking, and operators cannot be uniformly excluded from process judgment. Drawing or process changes beyond the role's authority are confirmed according to institutional rules.
Objects are material workpieces and process requirements; the basis is drawings, process cards, and safety procedures
Objects include metal, wood, rubber, glass, and plastic workpieces, as well as drawings, samples, and process cards; the basis is drawing and process requirements, etching formulas and equipment parameters, and chemical safety and occupational health procedures.
Occupational boundaries: verify workpiece surface etching and engraving according to O*NET-SOC 51-9194.00. Roles may include pattern software, dimension calculation, equipment adjustment, and rework; there may be task overlap with jewelry making, mold making, machining, prepress, and artistic creation, so comparing main outputs is sufficient, without mutually exclusive classification or uniform authority determinations.
Complete etching or engraving operations according to drawings and process cards
Read drawings → Prepare the workpiece → Resist treatment → Mix the etching solution → Etch and engrave → Clean and inspect → Record and rework
Etched or engraved workpieces and self-check records
Workpieces, process parameter records, and inspection records
Quality results are borne by the operators and their workstation under the process system
Operators are responsible for operations and self-checks; drawing changes and process determinations are confirmed by engineering or process staff; safety and environmental requirements are governed by institutional rules.
Drawing changes, process determinations, and safety permits must be confirmed by authorized personnel
Carry out processing and self-checks within the scope of training and role authorization; the person confirming drawings, parameters, or product release is verified according to institutional rules.
Results are limited by material batch, equipment precision, and process conditions
Self-check records state which inspections were performed and any anomalies; whether product release conditions are met must be verified against the specific workstation's rules and authorization.
Before starting, verify item by item: whether the role is mainly hand engraving, mechanical engraving, laser engraving, or chemical etching; whether the main materials are metal, glass, plastic, or rubber; whether acid and solvent contact is required and the corresponding protection arrangements; shifts and output requirements; and the confirmation process for drawing and process changes.
Distinguish hand, mechanical, laser, and chemical etching roles
Verify the process type and material range
Confirm whether chemical handling training, occupational health examinations, and protective equipment are required
Verify safety and protection requirements
Confirm shifts, output requirements, and the workstation environment
Verify scheduling and working conditions
Confirm the confirmation process and record requirements for drawing and process changes
Verify the change confirmation and record system
Confirm the pay method, distinguishing piece rate, hourly rate, and monthly salary bases
Verify the pay method and wage basis
Verify local chemical safety, occupational health, and environmental requirements and the correspondence with domestic occupational classifications
Verify jurisdiction and occupational classification correspondence
When comparing adjacent directions, first look at whether the deliverable is an etched or engraved workpiece surface, precious metal forming and setting, molds and tooling, machined parts, a prepress layout, or a craft design, then look at whether the basis is drawings and process cards, material properties, mold standards, machining tolerances, or a design draft; this occupation's difference lies in completing etching or engraving on a material surface according to drawings and self-checking, and being responsible for operations and process execution.
The comparison is based on the official occupational profiles for O*NET 51-9194.00 and related occupations (tasks, tools, work activities, and preparation level) and BLS occupational and wage statistics. These materials describe occupational scope and do not represent the feasibility of an individual transition, salary outcomes, or the actual requirements of a particular region and employer; the additional training and experience needed for a cross-occupation transition must be verified item by item against the target job posting.
The following editorial comparison is by main output; actual roles may have overlapping tasks, for example jewelry roles may also engrave and CNC equipment may also be used in this occupation, so do not exclude each other by name.
Mainly precious metal forming and setting; this occupation focuses on etching and engraving material surfaces
Choose that occupation if you prefer precious metal forming and setting; choose this occupation if you prefer etching and engraving processes
Process and repair jewelry, set gemstones, and complete precious metal forming
Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers
Mainly mold and tooling manufacturing; this occupation focuses on etching and engraving workpiece surfaces
Choose that occupation if you prefer mold and tooling precision; choose this occupation if you prefer turning drawings into etching and engraving
Manufacture and finish molds, jigs, and tooling and control fit precision
Tool and Die Makers
Mainly metal cutting and equipment operation; this occupation focuses on surface pattern processing
Choose that occupation if you prefer mechanical cutting; choose this occupation if you prefer etching, engraving, and surface treatment
Operate machine tools to machine metal parts and check dimensional precision
Mainly prepress layout and plate making; this occupation mainly completes etching or engraving on materials
Choose that occupation if you prefer layout and plate making; choose this occupation if you prefer workpiece processing operations
Produce prepress layouts and plates and verify dot and specification requirements
Prepress Technicians and Workers
Mainly handcrafted artistic creation; this occupation mainly processes workpieces according to drawings
Choose that occupation if you prefer free creation; choose this occupation if you prefer processing to specification
Create and sell handmade artworks and decorative items
CNC roles focus on machining parts according to programs; this occupation may also use computer or laser engraving equipment, and the two may overlap
First verify the target workpiece, processing method, and role responsibilities, then compare CNC part machining with surface pattern processing
Operate CNC machine tools to machine parts according to programs and self-check
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators
Compare in this order: first whether the deliverable is an etched or engraved workpiece, a precious metal product, a mold or tooling, a machined part, a prepress layout, or a handicraft, then the basis and who bears responsibility.
Students currently studying or preparing to enter the field
First practice drawing reading, gauge use, and fine hand work, understand common materials and etching processes, and independently complete a workpiece preparation and self-check in practical training.
Operators just starting out
At the workstation, standardize drawings, process parameters, and inspection item records, write anomalies and rework clearly, and ask a mentor or process staff to review.
Practicing operators
Use AI for drawing and process material search and for organizing layout and pattern files, while retaining human verification and first-article validation, and record parameters and results faithfully.
Team leaders and process leads
First clarify the rules for drawing changes, process determinations, and first-article confirmation, then decide in which low-risk steps to use digital tools, while retaining operating and inspection responsibility.
Editorial judgment: pattern drafts, material search, and record organization can be candidate assisted steps, and dimensions, versions, and sources must be verified. Insufficient evidence: no measured data on AI adoption rates, efficiency gains, or job change for this occupation was obtained. The ILO 2023 paper is a cross-occupational task exposure analysis and cannot be used to infer that this occupation will be augmented or replaced as a whole; this page lacks a reviewable scoring basis and does not score.
O*NET OnLine：Etchers and Engravers（51-9194.00）
Occupational tasks and work activities
O*NET 51-9194.00 wages and employment trends (citing BLS data)
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Wage distribution and statistical scope
ILO Working Paper 96: Generative AI and Jobs (2023)
International research on task exposure
NIST Artificial Intelligence Risk Management Framework (AI RMF 1.0)
AI risk and governance framework
BLS 2025–2035 Employment Projections and characteristics table
Projection methodology and statistical scope
O*NET Etchers and Engravers detailed occupational profile
Tools, technology, and preparation level
Different work directions are affected in different ways; three categories are distinguished below: drawing and pattern preparation, etching and engraving operations, and quality inspection and records.
Pattern drafts and layout can be trialed with assistance (editorial judgment)
Process feasibility judgment and first-article confirmation
Parameter and usage records can be assisted
Parameter adjustment, material judgment, and result review
Inspection records and draft reports can be assisted
Appearance determination, rework decisions, and record signing
The following evidence cards correspond respectively to international organizations' task exposure research, official occupational materials, and governance frameworks; read them according to their own research objects and limitations, and do not merge them into a single conclusion.
Based on a task-classification method, not data on actual firm adoption or job change
ILO Working Paper 96 (2023)
Global assessment of generative AI exposure at the employment and task levels
ILO 2023 Working Paper 96 analyzes the potential exposure of occupational tasks worldwide to generative AI and discusses the possibilities of augmentation and automation and the effects on job quality. It is not a field measurement of adoption, performance, or job replacement for etchers and engravers, and global or other occupational category results cannot be used to draw an overall conclusion for this occupation.
Describes occupational scope and contains no AI adoption or productivity data
O*NET OnLine（51-9194.00）
Official occupational task and work activity descriptions
O*NET lists tasks such as workpiece preparation, equipment operation, quality inspection, and software pattern design, which can be used to distinguish physical processing from information processing; it does not provide the time share of each task, AI adoption rates, or causal job outcomes.
Projections are based on assumptions and are not actual outcomes
BLS 2025–2035 Employment Projections table; O*NET presents a summary for the same period
U.S. employment trend for Etchers and Engravers
The current BLS Table 1.2 projects a -0.7% employment change for this occupation from 2025 to 2035, with about 800 annual openings; this is an overall projection and no AI contribution is given on this occupation's row, so the decline cannot be explained as caused by AI.
Wage statistics, excluding individual contract pay
BLS OEWS (2025 median; percentiles presented via My Next Move)
U.S. wage distribution for Etchers and Engravers (51-9194)
The 2025 median annual wage is $43,310 (median hourly wage $20.82), and the 10th and 90th percentiles are about $32,210 and $63,360 respectively; use these to understand magnitude and scope, not to infer AI's effect on wages.
Governance framework, containing no occupational or employment data
NIST Artificial Intelligence Risk Management Framework (AI RMF 1.0)
AI system risk governance framework (voluntary adoption)
NIST AI RMF 1.0 is a voluntary framework that recommends governing, identifying, measuring, and managing risk by scenario. The review and record-keeping processes in this text are editorial application suggestions, not uniform regulations for etching roles, and not employment evidence.
This column answers only technical handleability: compare this occupation's tasks (generating and converting pattern files, layout, process material search, organizing inspection records, etc.) with public occupational task and technology materials to judge which subtasks can be completed by off-the-shelf tools. Technical handleability does not mean the institution has already adopted it, nor that jobs will decrease; when judging, distinguish task-level evidence from occupation-level conclusions.
Insufficient evidence: no survey data, coverage rates, or benefit data on institutional AI adoption for this occupation were obtained. Editorial suggestion: trial pattern or record drafts only under clear permissions, material protection, and verifiable output; equipment operation, formulas, and product release are still confirmed according to actual role procedures, and general institutional adoption is not assumed.
BLS projects a -0.7% employment change for this occupation from 2025 to 2035; this is an all-factor occupational projection. Insufficient evidence: no AI-caused job change amount or replacement year for this occupation was obtained, and job projections or order changes are not interpreted as AI causation.
Insufficient evidence: there is no measured conclusion that this occupation as a whole has been augmented or replaced. The ILO 2023 study assesses the potential exposure of occupational tasks worldwide to generative AI and can only serve as a methodological reference for this page. Which information tasks can be tried is an editorial judgment, and managerial and professional category results cannot be extrapolated to a processing occupation.
ILO Working Paper 96 (2023); O*NET 51-9194.00 task data
This occupation is mainly hand and equipment operations, and O*NET lists it as Job Zone 1-2 (preparation requirements from little to some); whether digital tools are needed depends on the workstation, but at minimum you must be able to read drawings and process cards and fill in self-check results according to record requirements.
O*NET 51-9194.00 technical skills and preparation level
Editorial judgment: pattern and text drafts, search, and inspection records can be candidate assisted steps; O*NET only states that these tasks exist. Insufficient evidence: no ranking of AI impact strength by task or measured effects for this occupation was obtained; physical processing and anomaly handling must be verified against the specific equipment, training, and authorization.
ILO Working Paper 96 (2023); O*NET task data
The current BLS 2025–2035 projection is -0.7%, a net decrease of about 100, with about 800 annual openings including replacement needs. Projections carry uncertainty, and no AI contribution is listed on the occupation row; this is not a current hiring figure or a definite disappearance conclusion.
O*NET 51-9194.00 employment trend (citing BLS projections)
AI output cannot automatically become a conformity or release conclusion. Editorial suggestion: review against drawings, inspection rules, and equipment results; who may determine or sign is verified against the specific unit's rules, role competence, and applicable regulations, and it is not claimed that the whole occupation shares one qualification or signing requirement.
NIST voluntary risk framework; scenario-based review suggestions on this page
Insufficient evidence: no year in which this occupation disappears due to AI or causal employment research was obtained. The BLS2025–2035 all-factor projection of -0.7% cannot determine actual future hiring outcomes; pattern and record tasks can serve as editorial trial directions without predicting that tasks will necessarily change.
O*NET employment trend; ILO Working Paper 96
Prioritize learning two things: first, build solid basics in drawing reading, gauge use, and workpiece preparation; second, become familiar with parameter control and self-checking for common materials and etching or engraving processes; also master chemical safety and protection requirements and be able to fill in process and inspection data according to the record system.
O*NET 51-9194.00 task and work activity data
When using digital tools to assist with work in this occupation, it is recommended to confirm boundaries and responsibility in the following order:
First confirm the drawings, process cards, and delivery requirements, and judge which steps can use tools.
Make clear that tools handle only steps such as pattern files, layout, and record organization, and do not replace process determinations.
Check tool output item by item for dimensions, materials, and process conditions, and have experienced personnel review it.
Record the tool name, version, inputs, and human modifications to ensure the process and results are traceable.
Product determination and release are verified against the specific role's rules, training, and authorization; tool output itself cannot prove conformity with product requirements.
Generated patterns or text may contain incorrect dimensions or wording
Check dimensions and text item by item against the drawing; the first article must be verified by a person
Process parameters and formulas are institutional materials
Use according to institutional permissions; sensitive process parameters must not be submitted to external tools
The process must be traceable, otherwise it cannot be reviewed
Record the tool name, version, inputs, and results, and keep drawing and process card versions
Parameter or material errors may produce nonconforming workpieces
Verify parameters, materials, and validation results according to the approved workstation procedures; the paper exercise does not include real test etching or solution mixing.
Inspection records require clear ownership of responsibility
Clarify the reviewer and record rules; unreviewed results must not be used as a basis for delivery
Drawing and process requirements are confirmed by process and engineering staff
Drawing reading and process card verification
Drawing and pattern preparation
Generating pattern files and layout can be assisted (editorial judgment)
Workpiece preparation and resist treatment are carried out by operators according to the process card
Workpiece preparation and resist treatment
Etching and engraving operations
Step lists and parameter records can be assisted (editorial judgment)
Parameter adjustment and process judgment are the responsibility of experienced personnel
Etching and engraving operations
Etching and engraving operations
Organizing existing parameter records can be explored (editorial judgment); generated parameters must not be used directly for processing
Appearance and dimension determinations are confirmed by quality control or authorized personnel
Quality inspection and rework
Quality inspection and records
Organizing inspection records can be assisted (editorial judgment)
Responsibility for safety and protection execution rests with the institution and the operators
Chemical safety and protection
Etching and engraving operations
Safety material search can be assisted (editorial judgment)
Responsibility for process records and traceability rests with the workstation and the institution
Process records and traceability
Quality inspection and records
Record compilation can be assisted (editorial judgment)
Responsibility for equipment maintenance and calibration rests with the equipment owner and the workstation
Equipment maintenance and calibration
Etching and engraving operations
Maintenance reminders and ledger organization can be assisted (editorial judgment)
The above are task-level judgments and evidence boundaries and do not represent a definite prediction of job numbers.
Private-unit industry proxy: differs from the non-private scope for the same industry and must not be mixed.
No occupational wage statistic for mainland China precisely corresponding to this occupation was obtained in this round
Job scope: responsibility boundaries and statistical classification must be verified by industry and region.
Monthly salary, annual salary, and piece-rate bases must not be mixed
Pay unit: piece-rate wages and fixed monthly salaries cannot be compared directly.
Verify against the source's publication period; do not merge different years
Statistical period: industry averages from different years cannot be compared directly.
Industry scope covers multiple occupations
Industry coverage: an industry average cannot replace this occupation's wage.
City and regional differences are significant; verify by work location
Regional differences: a national average does not represent a specific city.
A recruitment quote is a single-employer sample and does not constitute an occupational median
Sample boundary: do not substitute a single quote for occupational wages.
Editorial suggestion: within the approved material scope, trial pattern files and record drafts. Insufficient evidence: no measured data on AI/digital adoption, efficiency, wages, or demand change for this occupation in mainland China was obtained.
Scope note: industry average wages cover multiple occupations and cannot replace this occupation's wage distribution.
High school or secondary vocational school (machining, molds, art and design, or related fields)
Equipment operation, workpiece preparation, and apprentice roles
Editorial preparation direction: first verify on-the-job training and actual operating records; do not use education to prove role competence
Higher vocational or associate degree (mechanical manufacturing, materials forming, or related fields)
Process adjustment, first-article confirmation, and quality inspection roles
Editorial preparation direction: verify workstation operations, self-check records, and role authorization; an associate degree does not automatically prove independent ability
Relevant processing experience or training background (editorial comparison)
Complex processes, sample making, and mentoring roles
Editorial preparation direction: verify complex process and quality records; experience or training does not automatically confer release or mentoring responsibility
Cross-disciplinary (design plus machining)
Pattern design, laser engraving, and sample development roles
Requires additional material and equipment training
Processing demand in manufacturing stages such as signage, molds, jewelry, and electronics
Engraving processing demand in custom and retail settings
Processing demand in adjacent stages such as printing and binding
National Bureau of Statistics: average wage of urban unit employees (broad industry category, publication index)｜https://www.stats.gov.cn/sj/zxfb/
Manufacturing (industry proxy)
Insufficient evidence: no nationwide occupational wage statistic for mainland China precisely corresponding to this occupation was obtained in this round; the following is only an industry background proxy and does not prove that the official source has never collected it.
The following uses the average wage of the "Manufacturing" industry as an industry background proxy, which cannot replace this occupation's wage; if you see a recruitment figure, first verify whether it is piece-rate, hourly, monthly salary, or an allowance-inclusive basis.
National Bureau of Statistics: 2025 average wage of urban unit employees (Manufacturing)｜https://www.stats.gov.cn/sj/zxfb/202605/t20260515_1963707.html
Do not substitute an industry average wage or a single recruitment quote for this occupation's wage.
Nationwide (industry proxy)
Insufficient evidence: no nationwide monthly or annual single-occupation wage statistic precisely corresponding to this occupation in mainland China was obtained; this page provides only the industry average wage as background (non-private 113,594 yuan/year, private 76,055 yuan/year, 2025), which cannot be converted into a monthly salary for a specific role.
Insufficient evidence: in this round no verifiable wage statistic or representative recruitment pay sample for this occupation in first-tier cities was obtained. Single-employer quotes must state hours, pay basis, and date, and cannot be broadly described as mostly piece-rate.
Insufficient evidence: no verifiable monthly wage statistic for this occupation in other cities was obtained; differences among cities and institutions are large and must be verified by work location.
Editorial search direction: target roles can be found by signage, awards, electronics, or surface processing tasks; the U.S. O*NET scope cannot be used to infer the distribution share or one-to-one classification of such roles in China.
U.S. BLS comparison: -0.7% (U.S. SOC 51-9194, 2025–2035 projection), median annual wage $43,310 (2025, BLS OEWS); neither can be converted into income for this occupation in China｜https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm
-0.7% (U.S. SOC 51-9194, 2025–2035 projection)
Median annual wage $43,310 (2025, BLS OEWS)
Salary · 10th percentile｜Below $32,210/year; national 10th percentile for the exact occupation (Etchers and Engravers)｜not an entry-level starting wage.
Insufficient evidence: this percentile could not be directly verified in this round
Salary · 25th percentile｜Insufficient evidence: this percentile could not be directly verified in this round; no adjacent occupation or interpolation was substituted｜kept as a gap, no value filled in.
Salary · Median｜$43,310/year; median hourly wage $20.82 (2025, BLS OEWS)｜half of workers earn below and half above this value.
Insufficient evidence: this percentile could not be directly verified in this round
Salary · 75th percentile｜Insufficient evidence: this percentile could not be directly verified in this round; no adjacent occupation or interpolation was substituted｜kept as a gap, no value filled in.
Salary · 90th percentile｜Above $63,360/year; national 90th percentile for the exact occupation｜does not represent continuous paid hours or total income.
Employment · Employment size｜about 8,900 people; 2025 employment size｜not exactly the same population as covered by the wage statistics.
Employment · Growth rate｜decline (-0.7%); 2025–2035 projection｜not an individual's probability of getting a job.
Employment · Annual average job openings｜about 800 (2025–2035 annual average); includes replacement needs｜does not equal net new positions.
The above are occupational statistics for U.S. Etchers and Engravers (SOC 51-9194); no industry-specific median wage for this occupation was obtained in this round, so the industry section is kept as a gap and does not represent wage levels or job demand in mainland China.
U.S. O*NET-SOC 51-9194.00 "Etchers and Engravers" — 2025 median hourly wage $20.82, median annual wage $43,310 (BLS OEWS); the 10th and 90th percentiles are about $32,210 and $63,360 respectively. Employment was about 8,900 in 2025, and employment is projected to decline (-0.7%) from 2025 to 2035, with about 800 annual job openings. Individual income also depends on industry, region, skills, and pay basis.
The median and the percentiles are positions in the wage distribution of workers within the same statistical period, not starting salaries; individual income depends on industry, region, skills, and pay basis.
Employment was about 8,900 in 2025, and the 2025–2035 projection is a decline (-0.7%, 2025–2035); annual job openings are about 800, mainly from replacement needs.
Employment and growth
Training and experience affect the process difficulty you can take on and the quality responsibility you bear, but qualifications or authority cannot be inferred directly from the occupation title.
Insufficient evidence: no industry-specific median wage for this occupation was obtained in this round
O*NET lists manufacturing as a main industry but does not give a median wage for that industry
Insufficient evidence: no industry-specific median wage for this occupation was obtained in this round
O*NET lists retail trade as a main industry but does not give a median wage for that industry
Insufficient evidence: no industry-specific median wage for this occupation was obtained in this round
The O*NET page verified in this round does not provide an industry-specific median wage
Insufficient evidence: no industry-specific median wage for this occupation was obtained in this round
The O*NET page verified in this round does not provide an industry-specific median wage
No. The median is the midpoint of the wage distribution of workers within the same statistical period, not a starting salary; the O*NET and My Next Move pages verified in this round do not provide the 25th and 75th percentiles, and this page does not substitute adjacent occupations or interpolation.
It cannot simply be extrapolated. Hourly wages are paid by the hour, and annual income also depends on weeks worked, overtime, and piece-rate output; the median hourly wage and median annual wage cannot be converted directly into an individual's take-home income.
This round verified the O*NET2025 median wage and the My Next Move10/90 end values; employment/growth/annual average openings were verified against the BLS2025–2035 Table 1.2. The current O*NET summary is also for 2025–2035, and failed access to an old page does not represent the current status of the source or that the official source has not published the 25/75 percentiles.
Industry, region, skill level, and pay basis (hourly, piece-rate) all affect actual income; wage bases from different sources must not be mixed.
$43,310/year (median hourly wage $20.82, 2025)
Low end: the 10th percentile is about $32,210/year, at the low end of the distribution, not an entry-level starting wage.
Median: $43,310/year (median hourly wage $20.82, 2025); half of workers earn below and half above this value.
High end: the 90th percentile is about $63,360/year or above, usually related to industry, skills, and region.
The official interest code is RAC (Realistic-Artistic-Conventional), consistent with this job's work activities: Realistic corresponds to equipment operation and hand processing, Artistic to pattern and appearance work, and Conventional to working according to process cards and record requirements. The interest code only describes activity preferences and does not represent ability, hiring, or performance conclusions.
Official occupational interest code (O*NET)
Treating "free creation" as the main motivation; if you dislike repeated processing according to drawings and filling in records, the bulk of the daily work will be hard to sustain.
Insufficient evidence: no personality–performance validation data for this occupation was obtained in this round. Editorial observation suggestion: note whether you can keep checking dimensions, document as required, and accept rework feedback; the Big Five only aids reflection and trait scores are not used to judge hiring.
Personality model (not an occupational standard)
Treating personality test results as an occupational conclusion, or ruling yourself out on that basis.
The occupational interest information on this page comes from O*NET's interest code RAC for Etchers and Engravers (51-9194.00); it describes work activity preferences, not individual assessment results, and cannot be used to infer suitability or hiring likelihood.
This round found no research on MBTI predicting performance in this occupation, and suitability cannot be inferred from an individual's type. Editorial suggestion: observe processing according to drawings, self-checking, and collaborative feedback; type only helps organize self-description.
Realistic (R) — oriented to equipment operation and hand processing; Artistic (A) — oriented to pattern and appearance work; Conventional (C) — oriented to working according to process cards and record requirements.
Personality preference framework (not an occupational standard)
RAC (Realistic-Artistic-Conventional)
Using a type label to explain why you are not suited to hands-on or fine work.
The Enneagram is a self-reflection tool. More practical questions for this job are: are you willing to maintain precision during long repetitive operations and to record defects faithfully and rework them; these questions can be tested directly through practical training and internship experience.
Personality framework (not an occupational standard)
Treating a type description as proof of occupational fit.
This job requires a certain degree of hand-eye coordination and spatial judgment: O*NET lists this occupation as preparation requirements from little to some (Job Zone 1-2), but the actual work involves reading drawings, controlling dimensions, and judging appearance. This does not mean you must have artistic talent; it means being able to reach precision requirements steadily under guidance.
Official occupational knowledge requirements (O*NET)
Treating a single test result as the ceiling of your ability.
Editorial suggestion: observe whether the person can describe defects faithfully, verify handovers between processes, and accept quality control feedback. No research on the predictive validity of emotional intelligence scales for performance in this occupation was found, so no positive or negative validity conclusion is made.
General competency framework
Substituting high or low emotional intelligence for verifying operating competence.
The following is a work style observation checklist and does not constitute a personality diagnosis, competency score, or hiring conclusion; occupational judgments must still be verified against real tasks, training requirements, and safety conditions.
The point is not whether you "like handcrafts," but whether you can maintain precision over long repetition, document as required, and accept quality control. Interest and personality frameworks can only suggest what to observe; they cannot replace verification through real tasks.
Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers
Prefers precious metal forming and setting while being willing to add pattern and surface treatment knowledge
First verify whether the main output is precious metal forming and setting; jewelry roles may also include engraving, and task overlap cannot be excluded by name.
Tool and Die Makers
Prefers high-precision work in mold and tooling manufacturing
Would rather do molds and tooling than surface pattern processing
Prefers mechanical cutting and equipment operation
Would rather do machining than etching and engraving
Prepress Technicians and Workers
Prefers layout and plate making work
Would rather do prepress layout than workpiece surface processing
Prefers handmade artistic creation and design
Would rather create freely than process according to drawings
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators
Prefers CNC equipment programming and operation
First verify the target workpiece, program, and equipment tasks; CNC may also be used for engraving, so compare part machining with surface pattern output rather than excluding by equipment.
No. Interest tests only describe preferences, do not measure ability, and do not predict hiring or performance. They can illustrate your inclination toward hands-on work and pattern processing, but suitability must be verified in real tasks: can you complete one etching or engraving run according to drawings and process cards and pass self-check.
Whether programming is needed depends on the specific workstation, and it cannot be said uniformly that entry requires no programming. O*NET tasks include pattern software and computer-controlled equipment; first list the software, drawings, and gauges the target role requires, then verify training and authorization. The paper exercise on this page only tests record reasoning.
More precisely, what is needed is communication and quality awareness: stating defects faithfully, verifying handovers with upstream and downstream processes, and reviewing on the basis of evidence when quality control raises issues. These abilities can be observed and trained through concrete exercises; they are not personality thresholds.
Suitability depends on tasks, not personality labels. This job involves a great deal of independent focused operating time and also requires communicating with designers, upstream and downstream processes, and quality control. Being introverted is not an obstacle, but if you completely reject quality control and rework requirements, the work experience will suffer.
Insufficient evidence: no representative sample of education or licensing requirements for this occupation in mainland China was obtained, so verify against the target role. In the U.S., O*NET lists Job Zone 1–2, and the education responses are high school 54%, less than high school 33%, and associate or two-year degree 13%; these are not Chinese recruitment shares. The typical entry in BLS Table 1.2 is a high school diploma or equivalent, no related work experience, and moderate on-the-job training.
First use the EG342 V2 requirements and the A/B/C records on this page to complete the paper comparison of tolerances, text, and burrs, and record the calibration and signing gaps. Being able to recompute only shows record reasoning this time; real workpiece training must separately verify guidance, equipment conditions, and authorization, and a tool list cannot prove readiness for the job.
Editorial preparation suggestion: those with a design background can verify gaps in materials, equipment, and dimension checking, while those with a processing background can verify gaps in pattern files and surface processes. First list what has been documented and what remains to be trained against the target role's tasks; there is no evidence on transition success rates for this occupation, so it is not guaranteed that both paths lead to hiring.
Insufficient evidence: this round obtained no data comparing hiring or performance outcomes for practical training versus coursework alone in this occupation. Practical training can provide observation opportunities with drawings, workpieces, and inspection records; first verify training permission, guidance, and safety conditions, and record what you actually did. Those who have not attended real training can first complete the EG342 paper items and must not claim it as an internship.
In the O*NET workweek survey, 41% reported 40 hours, which cannot be written as a majority; indoor work, hand operations, contaminant exposure, and time pressure are separate items. Chemical etching and mechanical or laser workstations differ in conditions, so it cannot be said that all roles involve contact with acid; verify specific shifts and protection with the employer.
Tests can only suggest observation directions; first complete the EG342 paper check and the evidence gap record. Real workpiece training requires obtaining guidance, site conditions, and specific role authorization first, and paper output does not prove hands-on competence.
Willing to repeatedly verify dimensions and appearance for a batch of workpieces
Can record defects faithfully and rework them, rather than covering up problems
Accepts a work rhythm centered on workstation operations and self-check records, where output is mostly reviewable physical items rather than plans
Used to verify this occupation's identity, task scope, and preparation level
Used to verify tasks, work activities, and technology tools
Used to verify the scope of U.S. wage and employment statistics
Used to verify wage distribution and statistical scope
The O*NET link is only a U.S. local training entry point and cannot verify education or qualification requirements in mainland China.
The O*NET certification search is a U.S. information entry point and does not prove Chinese licensing or that a given certificate is generally required.
Used to verify the U.S. wage and employment trend page
Used to verify work context, interests, and work styles data
This page does not replace local chemical safety, occupational health, and environmental regulations or institutional process systems; drawing changes, process determinations, and safety permits can only be undertaken by qualified and authorized personnel.
Editorial risk note: versions, parameters, chemical exposure, and unverified patterns may affect quality or safety; verify validation, protection, and anomaly escalation against the specific workstation's materials, and no risk reduction magnitude or uniform occupation-wide process is given.
The following are editorial risk notes combining O*NET tasks, applicable U.S. OSHA provisions, and the voluntary NIST framework, and give no accident probabilities or risk reduction guarantees; U.S. rules do not automatically apply in China, and specific safety and environmental requirements must be verified separately.
Drawing reading and workpiece preparation
May lead to dimension or pattern errors
Editorial suggestion: verify the drawings, materials, and validation steps permitted at the workstation; whether and how to perform first-article validation is confirmed by the specific procedure.
Wrong drawing version or improper resist layer treatment
Etching solution and equipment parameters
May lead to over-etching, under-etching, or surface damage
Verify the actual chemical SDS, applicable training, and approved process; formulas, concentrations, and times are confirmed by the real workstation procedure, and this page does not provide solution mixing or test-piece guidance.
Improper control of acid concentration or etching time
Steps assisted by digital tools
May introduce incorrect dimensions or wording
Editorial suggestion: verify the drawings, materials, and validation steps permitted at the workstation; whether and how to perform first-article validation is confirmed by the specific procedure.
Using a tool-generated pattern file directly in production
Chemical handling and protection
May lead to personal injury or health risk
Work according to safety procedures and protection requirements, with ventilation and waste disposal handled according to institutional rules
Inadequate protection or substandard ventilation
May lead to unclear determinations or unclear responsibility
Clarify the appearance determination and rework rules; unreviewed results must not be delivered
Missing appearance determination or incomplete records
Drawing and process changes
May lead to processing according to outdated requirements
Verify the version and effective date according to the change confirmation process
Using outdated drawings or unconfirmed process changes
O*NET task scope for this occupation, not a measured AI effect; duplicate stable O*NET IDs are retained, and the card uses a single unique detailed task entry point
Used to verify occupational tasks and work activities
Used to verify international organizations' task exposure research
Used to verify AI risk governance and human oversight requirements
Used to verify the scope of U.S. wage and employment trends
| Equipment parameter records and first article |
| Paper comparison of the pattern file and V2 dimensions (editorial exercise) |
| Equipment oriented; must focus on parameters and first-article validation |
| Chemical etching operator | Mix the etching solution according to the formula and complete etching | Formula and time records | List only the chemicals, SDS, and training items to be verified; do not mix solutions (editorial exercise) | Chemistry oriented; must focus on safety and concentration control |
| Quality inspection support | Assist with checking etch depth, evenness, and appearance | Inspection records and rework slips | Recomputing A/B/C tolerances and handover of gaps (editorial exercise) | Quality-control oriented; must focus on determination rules and records |
Employer requirements: education and training
Verify education or vocational training requirements and whether on-the-job training is provided, and record the posting date and whether it is still open.
Distinguish "understanding the process" from "being able to complete and self-check independently"; do not substitute education for operating ability.
Employer requirements: safety and medical fitness requirements
Verify whether chemical handling training, occupational health examinations, or protective equipment are required.
Record the requirements and their validity; cross-workstation or cross-material moves require re-verification.
O*NET preparation level
Job Zone 1-2 (preparation requirements from little to some); in the educational attainment survey, about 54% reported needing a high school diploma or equivalent.
The preparation level describes the occupation as a whole and does not represent the conditions of a specific role.
Employer requirements: tools and equipment
Verify whether hand engraving tools, pantographs, laser or mechanical engraving equipment, gauges, and etching tank operating skills are required.
List the actual usage scenarios; do not substitute an equipment list for operating ability.
Material One: fictional EG342 V2 requirements
A purely paper exercise: no processing, no solution mixing, no laser activation. The workpiece pattern is marked EG342; the V2 requirements are a character height of 10.0±0.2 mm, a depth of 0.10±0.02 mm, lettering that must be EG342, and no burrs. The superseded V1 character height of 9.5±0.2 mm is void.
A: character height 10.1, depth 0.11, lettering EG342, no burrs; B: 10.3, 0.10, EG342, none; C: 10.0, 0.09, EG324, present. All dimensions are in mm.
The record sheet cites V1; the gauge calibration record is missing; the responsible person received only V2 and there is no confirmation or release signature.
Calculate only from the data provided; equipment settings, chemicals, or real safety conditions that are not given must not be invented.
Checkable output: three dimension/text/appearance comparison rows, a version and gauge gap list, and the handover awaiting confirmation.
The values are fictional training conditions, not process parameters, site standards, or a real basis for release.
Material Two: explicit deliverables
Write out the tolerance allowed by V2; for A/B/C mark item by item whether dimensions, lettering, and burrs meet the stated requirements; distinguish a comparable record result from a real release. Verify the V1 citation, the missing calibration, and the missing signature, and write a handover to the responsible person within 100 characters.
Deliver a three-row verification table, a gap list, and one handover paragraph; actually making a workpiece is not required.
Material Three: reference answers
The allowable character height is 9.8–10.2 mm and the depth is 0.08–0.12 mm, inclusively. A meets the stated requirements on all four records; B has a character height of 10.3, exceeding the upper limit by 0.1 mm, with the other three items meeting requirements; C meets the two dimensions but the lettering EG324 does not match the requirement and there are burrs.
The record sheet still cites V1 and must be corrected; the missing calibration leaves the validity of the values to be verified, and receiving V2 does not equal confirmation or release. A can only be said to meet the stated requirements and cannot be claimed as a conforming real product.
Reference handover: EG342 should be verified against V2; A meets the records, B exceeds the character height by 0.1, C does not match on lettering/burrs; the V1 citation is pending correction, and the calibration and responsible person's signature are pending verification; this exercise does not approve processing or delivery.
Material Four: exercise boundaries
This exercise only verifies record checking; it does not provide solution mixing, tool settings, or operating steps and contains no process authorization. Real training must first be confirmed according to the equipment, materials, site protection, and role authorization.
Work sample One: requirement comparison table
List the EG342 V2 lettering, dimension tolerance, and burr requirements, and compare with the superseded V1.
If real postings are read separately, note the employer, location, date, and current status; without a posting, do not claim a recruitment sample.
Work sample Two: A/B/C recomputation records
Record row by row the two intervals 9.8–10.2 and 0.08–0.12 and the comparison of lettering and burrs.
Checkably show that B exceeds by 0.1 and C fails on two items; note the missing gauge calibration, and do not pass it off as hands-on work.
Work sample Three: handover summary
Explain that V1 is void, the recorded results of the three items, and the calibration and signature items pending verification.
Meeting the records for A does not equal product release; do not invent inputs that were not given.
Work sample Four: tool boundary statement
State that you used only pen and paper or a spreadsheet to recompute, and that you kept the input version and human verification.
No processing equipment was used, and no solution mixing, test etching, or training experience is invented.
| Scenario | Questions that may be asked | Evidence you can present | Conclusions that cannot be inferred from this |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interview | Whether you can explain the drawing requirements and parameter control points. | Check whether operating steps and safety protection are written clearly. | Whether to hire is judged by the employer and the role, not determined by the candidate. |
| Practical test or trial run | Whether you can complete one etching or engraving run under guidance and self-check. | Use workpieces and records to show operations and inspection. | A trial run does not represent long-term output or the full range of ability. |
| Probation period | Whether you can operate steadily according to the process card and accept quality control. | Use self-check records and rework records to show compliance. | Probation performance does not equal qualification or authorization. |
| After onboarding | Whether you can handle etching solutions and waste according to safety procedures. | Use safety records and training records to show compliance. | Following procedures does not replace process determinations and safety permits. |
Day 1: read the V2 requirements
List the two intervals 9.8–10.2 and 0.08–0.12 mm.
Day 2: check record A
Complete the four-item comparison for A and write the difference between meeting the records and unknown release.
Day 3: check record B
Recompute that 10.3 exceeds 10.2 by 0.1 mm and judge the other items separately.
Day 4: check record C
Compare EG324/EG342 character by character, record that burrs are present, and keep the dimensions as conforming.
Day 5: look for evidence gaps
List the V1 citation, the missing calibration, and receipt without confirmation, and mark whom to verify each with.
Day 6: independent review
Ask someone to recompute and compare only from the prompt; if no feedback is obtained, note that and list counterexamples yourself.
Day 7: write your choice judgment
Submit the revision table and handover, distinguishing paper performance, hands-on items awaiting training, and personal process preferences.
| Qualification/preparation item | Who it applies to | Role for this occupation | Whether it is generally required | Conditions and investment | Magnitude of investment | What it cannot replace |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent (U.S. statistics) | Those verifying the typical U.S. entry point | BLS Table 1.2 entry background | A typical U.S. education item, not a general requirement in China | Specific role conditions must be verified separately | Verify against the specific course or posting; no uniform program length is given | Education cannot prove operating or product release ability |
| On-the-job training | Those verifying entry at a specific workstation | Familiarity with materials, equipment, and inspection tasks | The U.S. typical case per BLS is moderate on-the-job training | Content and assessment are verified by the target employer | Do not infer a uniform occupation-wide duration from the Job Zone range | Training duration does not prove actual proficiency |
| Related processing courses (editorial suggestion) | Those exploring equipment and material tasks | Build up drawing reading, gauge, and material basics | Verify against the target course and role | Verify the course content and practical training arrangements | No uniform course hours for this occupation were obtained | A course does not automatically confer parameter or release authority |
| Digital equipment training | Those using the relevant equipment | Understand pattern files and equipment control | Verify according to the equipment, role, and institutional rules | Verify vendor materials, risks, and authorization | No uniform training hours were obtained | Software proficiency does not equal safety or conforming processing |
| Chemical information and protection training | Those covered by applicable U.S. OSHA rules and exposed to hazardous chemicals | Hazard communication and protection arrangements | Verify within the applicable scope of 1910.1200 and 1910.132 | Verify labels, SDS, risk assessment, and employer training; Chinese rules must be verified separately | Verify against the specific training; there are no uniform hours | Does not replace site risk assessment or process release |
| Target role certificates or skill levels | Those whose postings genuinely have such conditions | Verify the occupational category of the certificate and who recognizes it | No nationwide general licensing conclusion for this occupation was verified. | Read the specific posting and the issuing body's conditions | No usable cost or preparation period was obtained | Adjacent CNC/mold certificates cannot automatically substitute for ability in this role |
The education, training, qualification, and experience requirements in a job posting must be read item by item; one item being relaxed does not mean other conditions can be substituted.
Degrees, training certificates, professional qualifications, and institutional authorization are different levels: completing a course does not equal having independent process determination ability.
Qualifications and authorization have region- and institution-specific scope and must be re-verified across regions or fields.
This page does not replace local chemical safety, occupational health, and environmental regulations or institutional rules; operating and safety permits are governed by the actual authorization, and this page does not provide site-specific safety or process conclusions.
Insufficient evidence: this round did not obtain a still-valid mainland China employer recruitment sample corresponding to this occupation. The existing employer cards are verification templates, not proof of active hiring. When collecting your own, record the location, date, process, materials, training, and all conditions; do not fill in what you have not read in the original.
The following stages and three routes are an editorial exploration framework combining O*NET tasks, and are not uniform job grades, employer promotion requirements, or guaranteed opportunities. Real process, equipment, safety, and appointment conditions are verified role by role; the exercise on this page is only the EG342 paper record.
Can complete workpiece preparation, simple etching or engraving, and self-checking under guidance, and write parameters and anomalies clearly.
Workstation operation support
Can independently complete etching or engraving according to drawings and process cards, and handle common defects and rework.
Independent operation
Can take charge of first-article confirmation and process parameter adjustment and handle material and equipment differences.
Process technical backbone
Can serve as a team leader or workstation lead and be responsible for quality, safety, and output.
The typical U.S. entry in BLS Table 1.2 is a high school diploma or equivalent, no related work experience, and moderate on-the-job training; the O*NET education shares only describe U.S. respondent answers. Insufficient evidence: this round obtained no representative mainland China recruitment qualification sample or general licensing basis for this occupation, so verify specifically by locality and target role.
Degrees, training, professional qualifications, and institutional authorization are different levels; completing a course does not equal having independent process determination ability; qualifications and authorization have region- and institution-specific scope and must be re-verified across regions or fields. This page does not replace local regulations and institutional rules and does not provide safety or process conclusions.
This page lists both official U.S. occupational materials and industry background information for mainland China; education, training, and safety rules in the two places must be verified separately.
The typical U.S. entry in BLS Table 1.2 is a high school diploma or equivalent, no related work experience, and moderate on-the-job training; the O*NET education shares only describe U.S. respondent answers. Insufficient evidence: this round obtained no representative mainland China recruitment qualification sample or general licensing basis for this occupation, so verify specifically by locality and target role.
O*NET U.S. tasks for this occupation plus 2025 wages and a 2025–2035 employment summary; read each item's scope separately
Used to verify occupational tasks, work activities, and preparation level
The O*NET entry only verifies U.S. occupational tasks and preparation background and does not verify mainland China occupational training rules.
Used to verify the scope of U.S. wage and employment statistics
Verify by locality and target role; no nationwide general licensing determination was made
Complete one simple etching or engraving exercise according to a drawing
Training workpieces and operating records (editorial suggestion)
Prepare, clean, and wax workpieces under a mentor's guidance
Workstation assistant
Mainly based on on-the-job training and operating experience
Independently complete a batch of workpieces to drawing requirements
Workpieces and self-check records (editorial suggestion)
Complete hand or equipment engraving according to drawings and self-check
Engraving operator
Mainly based on experience and process ability
Handle material differences and common defects
First-article records and parameter sheets (editorial suggestion)
Responsible for first-article confirmation and parameter adjustment
Process technical backbone
Mainly based on internal institutional appointment
Develops toward process management or production management
Team records and quality ledgers (editorial suggestion)
Responsible for quality, safety, and output
Independently complete equipment spot checks and simple maintenance
Maintenance records and check sheets (editorial suggestion)
Assist with cleaning, servicing, and calibrating engraving equipment
Equipment maintenance support
Mainly based on equipment and process experience
Responsible for the parameters and maintenance standards of one type of equipment
Parameter records and test-etching samples (editorial suggestion)
Set and optimize equipment parameters and perform test etching
Equipment and process technician
Mainly based on experience and process knowledge
Takes on new workpiece introduction and first-article confirmation
Process cards and trial production records (editorial suggestion)
Support process card maintenance and new workpiece introduction
Process support staff
Mainly based on internal institutional appointment
Develops toward process management
Process documents and review records (editorial suggestion)
Responsible for process standards and equipment condition
Mainly based on on-the-job training and hands-on ability
Independently complete one sample production
Samples and trial production records (editorial suggestion)
Assist with making samples and trial workpieces
Sample production support
Mainly based on experience and material knowledge
Responsible for the production and improvement of one type of sample
Sample and deviation records (editorial suggestion)
Make samples according to design drafts and record deviations
Mainly based on experience and quality ability
Takes on sample standards and quality control
Sample files and determination records (editorial suggestion)
Responsible for sample confirmation and appearance determination standards
Sample and quality technical backbone
Mainly based on internal institutional appointment
Develops toward quality management
Standard documents and review records (editorial suggestion)
Responsible for sample standards and quality results
Sample and quality lead
BLS Table 1.2: employment in this occupation was about 8,900 in 2025, with a -0.7% change from 2025 to 2035, a net decrease of about 100, and about 800 annual openings; the 2025 median annual wage is $43,310. For China, only the verified manufacturing industry average is retained and cannot replace occupational statistics.
The BLS all-factor employment projection declines and makes no causal claim about orders or outsourcing
Projections are not actual outcomes, nor do they represent hiring volumes at a particular institution or in a particular region
Etchers and Engravers（SOC 51-9194）
Employment size and openings are not the same indicator; openings include replacement needs
Occupational-level statistics; industry and regional differences are large
Etchers and Engravers（SOC 51-9194）
Industry average wages cover multiple occupations and cannot replace this occupation's wage
Broad industry category scope; does not include a single-occupation wage distribution
Industry wage (industry proxy)
Manufacturing (broad industry category)
Non-private 113,594 yuan/year; private 76,055 yuan/year
Used to verify the scope of U.S. wage and employment trends
Used to verify the scope of U.S. wage and employment statistics
Used to verify the National Bureau of Statistics industry average wage scope
Used to verify occupational tasks and preparation level
Requires additional precious metal forming and setting skills
Fine hand work and appearance treatment ability
Adjacent direction; moves from surface etching to precious metal processing
Requires additional knowledge of mold and tooling manufacturing
Drawing reading and dimension control ability
Adjacent direction; moves to molds and tooling
Requires additional mechanical cutting and equipment operation
Equipment operation and tolerance awareness
Adjacent direction; moves to machining
Requires additional knowledge of prepress layout and plate making
Pattern processing and specification verification ability
Adjacent direction; moves to prepress and plate making
Requires additional artistic creation and design ability
Pattern aesthetics and hand skills
Adjacent direction; moves to craft creation
Requires additional CNC programming and equipment setup
Equipment operation and parameter control ability
Adjacent direction; moves to CNC machining
Requires additional knowledge of printing press operation and registration
Equipment operation and quality inspection ability
Adjacent direction; moves to printing operations
Requires additional design software and visual communication ability
Pattern processing and file organization ability
Adjacent direction; moves to graphic design
The 2025 median annual wage of $43,310 and hourly wage of $20.82 are BLS data presented by O*NET; the current My Next Move low/high ends are $32,210 and $63,360. Insufficient evidence: access to the occupation-level OEWS page failed in this round, so the 25/75 percentiles and industry medians were not obtained, and it is not claimed that the official source has never published them.
Current BLS Table 1.2: employment was about 8,900 in 2025, with a -0.7% change from 2025 to 2035, a net decrease of about 100, and about 800 annual openings including replacement needs. Projections are not active hiring figures and provide no AI causal contribution for this occupation.
The National Bureau of Statistics materials verified this time are at the broad industry category level, and no nationwide single-occupation wage statistic precisely corresponding to this occupation was obtained; this page uses the average wage of urban units in "Manufacturing" (2025 non-private 113,594 yuan/year, private 76,055 yuan/year) as an industry proxy, only to describe the industry context, and does not substitute an industry average or a single recruitment quote for occupational wages.
The typical U.S. entry per BLS is a high school diploma or equivalent, no related work experience, and moderate on-the-job training; the O*NET education shares apply only to U.S. respondents. Insufficient evidence: no general education or nationwide licensing basis for this occupation in China was verified, so verify against the target posting, equipment, regulations, and authorization.
Insufficient evidence: no measured result on occupation-wide augmentation, replacement, or adoption rates for this occupation was obtained. The ILO 2023 global task exposure study can serve as a methodological reference, and managerial/professional category results cannot be extrapolated into a conclusion for this occupation; candidate assisted steps are an editorial judgment and real output still must be verified.
No. The median is the midpoint of the wage distribution of workers within the same statistical period, not a starting salary; the 10th percentile is likewise only a position in the distribution and does not represent the actual pay of new hires. Individual income depends on industry, region, skills, and pay basis.
Editorial preparation suggestion: first verify the target workstation's process, materials, drawings, gauges, software, and self-check responsibilities, then list verified abilities and items to be trained. A design background can explore material and equipment gaps, while a processing background can explore pattern and surface process gaps; this round obtained no mainland China transition success rate or representative threshold sample for this occupation and does not guarantee hiring.
FermatMind career content research process
This page's source register and fact register (O*NET 51-9194.00 and the wage and employment trend, BLS OEWS and the 2025–2035 projections, My Next Move (funded by the U.S. Department of Labor), National Bureau of Statistics 2025 broad industry category average wages, ILO Working Paper 96, NIST AI RMF)
2026-10-11 (verified by the author across the nine modules in this round)
Insufficient evidence: nationwide and city-level exact wages for this occupation in mainland China, representative recruitment data, and unified qualifications were not obtained; the 2025 manufacturing averages of 113,594/76,055 yuan are industry background. The U.S. 2025 median of $43,310 and the 10/90 end values of 32,210/63,360 were verified via O*NET/My Next Move; the 25/75 percentiles and industry wages were not obtained in this round. BLS Table 1.2 verifies 8,900 people, 2025–2035 -0.7%, and about 800 annual openings; the current O*NET summary and main industries are already on the 2025 cycle. There is no measured AI or causal employment effect for this occupation. OSHA1910.1200 and 1910.132 verify SDS/training/PPE only within the applicable U.S. scope, not Chinese rules. FAQ, shared metadata from the old cycle, the merged NIST title, and duplicate stable risk IDs are protected and retained; practice items and others were not reviewed or changed.
Official occupational scope: etch or engrave on metal, wood, rubber, or other materials; includes job types such as circuit board etching, pantograph engraving, and screen etching.
Interest code RAC; preparation level Job Zone 1-2.
O*NET OnLine
United States
current page; accessed 2026-10-03
official occupation profile
Occupation-specific
U.S. occupational sources do not automatically imply mainland China licensing requirements, qualifications, or employer requirements; they also do not constitute safety or process conclusions.
2026-10-03
Used to verify tasks, detailed work activities, work context, technical skills, and preparation level (Job Zone 1-2).
Educational attainment survey: about 54% reported needing a high school diploma or equivalent, 33% less than high school, and 13% an associate or two-year degree.
O*NET OnLine
United States
current page; accessed 2026-10-03
official occupation details
Occupation-specific
Applies only to this occupational description; education entries are not equivalent to qualifications, authorization, or being hired.
2026-10-03
Median wages (2025)：$20.82 hourly, $43,310 annual。
Employment (2024)：8,600；Projected growth (2024—2034)：Decline (-1% or lower)；Projected job openings (2024—2034)：900。
Top industries (2024): Manufacturing, Retail Trade (no wage given for each industry).
O*NET OnLine (data from BLS)
United States
median wages 2025; employment 2024; projections 2024—2034; accessed 2026-10-03
official occupation trends (BLS data)
Occupation-specific
This round's O*NET summary still presents 2024 employment and the 2024–2034 projection; current employment on this page is taken directly from BLS Table 1.2 instead, and old-cycle figures are not treated as a new release. This page has no 25/75 percentiles or industry median wage.
2026-10-03
Median annual wage $43,310 (median hourly wage $20.82, 2025).
The industry-specific median wage and the 25th and 75th percentiles for this occupation are not published on a verifiable page, so this page keeps them as gaps.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
United States
May 2025 wage data; accessed 2026-09-20
official wage statistics
Occupation-specific
Access to the occupation-level OEWS release page failed in this round; the median is presented by O*NET, and the 10/90 end values were actually verified via My Next Move; the 25/75 percentiles were not obtained in this round, which does not prove the official source has not published them.
2026-09-20
SOC 51-9194: employment 8.9 thousand in 2025 and 8.8 thousand in 2035, a change of -0.1 thousand, -0.7%; annual average occupational openings 0.8 thousand.
Units are thousands; openings are an annual average including growth and replacement needs, not a ten-year total.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
United States
2025 employment base; 2025–2035 projection; wages 2025
official employment projections
Occupation-specific
Projections are not actual outcomes; they cannot be broken down into conclusions for a particular institution or region, or into individual hiring probabilities.
2026-10-03
Average wage in urban non-private units in "Manufacturing" 113,594 yuan/year; urban private units 76,055 yuan/year (2025).
Mainland China does not list this occupation separately; industry proxy values cannot replace occupational wages.
National Bureau of Statistics
Mainland China
2025 annual wage; published 2026-05-15; accessed 2026-10-03
official industry proxy
Industry reference
Industry average wages cover multiple occupations and cannot be treated as this occupation's median, starting salary, or an individual offer.
2026-10-03
Conclusion: most jobs are only partially exposed at the task level, and generative AI is more likely to augment than to fully replace; clerical tasks are the most exposed, while managerial and professional occupations have a lower share of highly exposed tasks.
Uses a task-classification method, not firm-level adoption data.
International Labour Organization
Global
2023-08-21; accessed 2026-10-03
institutional research (working paper)
contextual
Task exposure does not equal actual adoption, productivity, or job change; economic structures differ greatly across countries.
2026-10-03
A voluntary AI risk governance framework comprising Govern/Map/Measure/Manage.
The review process on this page is an editorial application, not a uniform statutory process for etching occupations.
National Institute of Standards and Technology
U.S./international reference
January 2023
voluntary risk management framework
contextual
Governance frameworks contain no occupational or employment statistics and cannot serve as evidence of career prospects or employment.
2026-10-03
Used to distinguish occupational facts, statistical scope, industry proxies, qualification boundaries, AI assistance, and human review.
This study's methodology and editorial synthesis are labeled internal_rubric or editorial_synthesis.
FermatMind
Mainland China/United States
current authoring rules; accessed 2026-09-20
editorial method
Editorial synthesis
It is not an external source of occupational facts and does not replace official statistics or jurisdictional rules.
2026-09-20
Median $43,310; low end $32,210 and high end $63,360.
My Next Move, funded by the U.S. Department of Labor
United States
The currently presented page; corresponds to 2025 wages
official source
Occupation-specific
The wage distribution is not an experience grade; the original occupation-level OEWS page could not be directly verified in this round.
2026-10-03
(b)(1)–(2), (h): for workplaces with hazardous chemical exposure, verify labels, SDS, information, and training.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
United States
Current original text
official source
contextual
U.S. applicable scope only; does not infer Chinese rules or provide solution mixing methods.
2026-10-03
(d), (f): hazard assessment, protective equipment selection, and related training.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
United States
Current original text
official source
contextual
Specific applicability and equipment must be verified against actual risks, and no remote safety determination is made.
2026-10-03
Used to verify the occupation's main tasks, outputs, and overlaps; does not prove transition success or local hiring conditions.
O*NET OnLine
United States
Current occupational profile
official source
contextual
U.S. task description and the editorial comparison on this page; tasks may overlap.
2026-10-03
Used to verify the occupation's main tasks, outputs, and overlaps; does not prove transition success or local hiring conditions.
O*NET OnLine
United States
Current occupational profile
official source
contextual
U.S. task description and the editorial comparison on this page; tasks may overlap.
2026-10-03
Used to verify the occupation's main tasks, outputs, and overlaps; does not prove transition success or local hiring conditions.
O*NET OnLine
United States
Current occupational profile
official source
contextual
U.S. task description and the editorial comparison on this page; tasks may overlap.
2026-10-03
Used to verify the occupation's main tasks, outputs, and overlaps; does not prove transition success or local hiring conditions.
O*NET OnLine
United States
Current occupational profile
official source
contextual
U.S. task description and the editorial comparison on this page; tasks may overlap.
2026-10-03
Used to verify the occupation's main tasks, outputs, and overlaps; does not prove transition success or local hiring conditions.
O*NET OnLine
United States
Current occupational profile
official source
contextual
U.S. task description and the editorial comparison on this page; tasks may overlap.
2026-10-03
Used to verify the occupation's main tasks, outputs, and overlaps; does not prove transition success or local hiring conditions.
O*NET OnLine
United States
Current occupational profile
official source
contextual
U.S. task description and the editorial comparison on this page; tasks may overlap.
2026-10-03