Etchers and Engravers Salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
In Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA, etchers and engravers earn $41,600 at the median — $20 an hour. The range runs from $36K at the entry level to $45K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.7), which stretches that salary to about $45,365 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,318/month — about 46.4% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $42K get you in Des Moines-West Des Moines?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Des Moines-West Des Moines’s Regional Price Parity (91.7). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction.
About etchers and engravers
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Entry-level etchers and engravers (10th percentile) start around $36K. Mid-career wages sit at $42K. Top earners bring in $45K or more, a $8K spread from bottom to top.
Etchers and Engravers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vermont | $68K | +68% | 30 |
| Rhode Island | $60K | +48% | 40 |
| Washington | $58K | +42% | 70 |
| Maryland | $52K | +29% | 170 |
| New Jersey | $51K | +25% | N/A |
| Illinois | $48K | +18% | 390 |
| Tennessee | $46K | +14% | 260 |
| Pennsylvania | $46K | +13% | 230 |
| Connecticut | $45K | +11% | 90 |
| Minnesota | $44K | +9% | 210 |
| South Dakota | $44K | +9% | 70 |
| Massachusetts | $44K | +8% | 490 |
| New Hampshire | $44K | +8% | 50 |
| California | $43K | +6% | 860 |
| Indiana | $43K | +6% | 310 |
| Michigan | $42K | +5% | 500 |
| Wisconsin | $42K | +4% | 520 |
| Iowa | $42K | +3% | 140 |
| Florida | $40K | -1% | 250 |
| Montana | $40K | -2% | N/A |
| South Carolina | $40K | -2% | 50 |
| Utah | $39K | -3% | 80 |
| Georgia | $39K | -4% | 100 |
| Oregon | $39K | -4% | 150 |
| New York | $39K | -4% | 460 |
| Alabama | $39K | -4% | 80 |
| Kentucky | $39K | -4% | N/A |
| North Carolina | $38K | -5% | 70 |
| Maine | $38K | -5% | 60 |
| Virginia | $38K | -7% | 250 |
| Oklahoma | $37K | -8% | 80 |
| Ohio | $37K | -9% | 210 |
| Arkansas | $37K | -9% | 110 |
| Idaho | $37K | -9% | 50 |
| Texas | $36K | -12% | 1,130 |
| Arizona | $35K | -13% | 220 |
| Missouri | $35K | -13% | N/A |
| Nebraska | $35K | -15% | 40 |
| Mississippi | $32K | -20% | 60 |
| Kansas | $25K | -39% | 70 |
Showing 1–10 of 40 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track etchers and engravers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Des Moines-West Des Moines numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do etchers and engravers make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median is $41,600 a year, that works out to about $20 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $36,400, and experienced etchers and engravers can clear $44,730. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $42K enough to live in Des Moines-West Des Moines?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,793/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,318/month, which eats 47.2% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a etchers and engravers salary go in Des Moines-West Des Moines?
Des Moines-West Des Moines has a Regional Price Parity of 91.7 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median etchers and engravers salary is worth about $45,365 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do etchers and engravers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.