Laser engraver vs mechanical engraver operator

The differences between laser engravers and mechanical engraver operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a laser engraver and a mechanical engraver operator. Additionally, a mechanical engraver operator has an average salary of $42,763, which is higher than the $36,398 average annual salary of a laser engraver.

The top three skills for a laser engraver include engraving, corel draw and laser engravers. The most important skills for a mechanical engraver operator are public safety, , and .

Laser engraver vs mechanical engraver operator overview

	Laser Engraver	Mechanical Engraver Operator
Yearly salary	$36,398	$42,763
Hourly rate	$17.50	$20.56
Growth rate	-8%	-7%
Number of jobs	506	43,444
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 39%	Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	2	2

Laser engraver vs mechanical engraver operator salary

Laser engravers and mechanical engraver operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Laser Engraver	Mechanical Engraver Operator
Average salary	$36,398	$42,763
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $46,000	Between $29,000 And $62,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between laser engraver and mechanical engraver operator education

There are a few differences between a laser engraver and a mechanical engraver operator in terms of educational background:

	Laser Engraver	Mechanical Engraver Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 39%	Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Most common major	Graphic Design	Computer Networking
Most common college	-	-

Laser engraver vs mechanical engraver operator demographics

Here are the differences between laser engravers' and mechanical engraver operators' demographics:

	Laser Engraver	Mechanical Engraver Operator
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 65.9% Female, 34.1%	Male, 94.1% Female, 5.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 5.0% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 6.2% White, 75.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%	Black or African American, 2.7% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 6.4% Asian, 4.5% White, 81.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	20%	20%

Differences between laser engraver and mechanical engraver operator duties and responsibilities

Laser engraver example responsibilities.

Develop graphic templates necessary for laser engraving customer items.
Design and implement engraving work including aircraft parts and other industrial applications.
Prepare etching chemicals according to formulas, diluting acid with water to obtain solutions of specify concentration.
Prepare etching chemicals according to formulas, diluting acid with water to obtain solutions of specify concentration.

Mechanical engraver operator example responsibilities.

Instruct and train part-time personnel on proper maintenance procedures, preventative maintenance and proper FAA logbook documentation.
Prepare etching chemicals according to formulas, diluting acid with water to obtain solutions of specify concentration.

Laser engraver vs mechanical engraver operator skills

Common laser engraver skills

Engraving, 34%
Corel Draw, 20%
Laser Engravers, 12%
Etching, 9%
Graphic Design, 7%
Quality Standards, 5%

Common mechanical engraver operator skills

Public Safety, 100%

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Laser Operator responsibilities

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Laser Engraver
Laser Engraver vs Mechanical Engraver Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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