Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Apprenticeship
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Musical instrument repairers and tuners work in a small, specialized occupation with national employment of about 6,000 people. The field combines hands-on mechanical work with creativity and attention to detail, making it appealing to people who enjoy both technical and artistic challenges. Core skills include fine motor abilities, mechanical aptitude, problem solving, and strong customer service, reflecting the need to work carefully with instruments and with clients. Nationally, the median annual salary is $45,320, with some states and metro areas offering higher typical pay. Projected employment growth of 1.4% and about 1,000 annual openings suggest a modest but ongoing flow of opportunities. For individuals who value precision work, craftsmanship, and direct contact with customers, this career can offer a focused pathway within a tight-knit professional community, especially in locations where the opportunity scores and salaries are stronger.
Nationally, musical instrument repairers and tuners earn a median annual salary of $45,320. Pay varies across states and metro areas. Among states, New York stands out with a median salary of $53,420, followed by California at $47,580 and Massachusetts at $46,820. Colorado and Washington show median salaries of $43,670 and $43,330, respectively. At the metro level, typical pay is higher in several areas. The New York-Newark-Jersey City metro has a median salary of $58,730, the highest listed. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria reports $51,880, and Boston-Cambridge-Newton shows $50,090. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim aligns with California’s statewide median at $47,580, while Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue has a median of $43,700. These differences indicate that location decisions can significantly influence earning potential within this occupation.
Musical instrument repairers and tuners form a relatively small workforce, with national employment of about 6,000. Projected employment growth of 1.4% indicates that the overall number of jobs is expected to increase modestly. Despite the small employment base, the occupation is projected to have about 1,000 annual openings. This combination suggests that opportunities may arise both from new positions and from turnover in existing roles. The projected growth rate of 1.4% is consistently reflected in the listed top states and metro areas, indicating a similar outlook across these highlighted locations. For individuals entering or advancing in this field, the data points to a niche occupation with steady but not rapid change in total employment, and a continuing need for new workers over time, as reflected in the annual openings figure.
Location plays a meaningful role in opportunities for musical instrument repairers and tuners. At the state level, California, Massachusetts, New York, Colorado, and Washington have some of the strongest opportunity scores, ranging from 56.29 in Washington to 67.38 in California. New York combines a relatively high opportunity score of 65.78 with the highest listed state median salary of $53,420, while California offers both the top opportunity score and the largest state employment level at 520. At the metro level, differences become even more pronounced. The New York-Newark-Jersey City metro stands out with an opportunity score of 77.27 and the highest listed median salary of $58,730. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria and Boston-Cambridge-Newton also pair opportunity scores above 63 with median salaries above $50,000. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim and Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue offer solid opportunity scores above 61, but with somewhat lower median salaries, especially in Seattle.
The typical education requirement for musical instrument repairers and tuners is a high school diploma or equivalent. Beyond formal education, the field relies heavily on a specific blend of skills. Fine motor skills and mechanical aptitude are central, reflecting the hands-on and technical nature of the work. Being detail oriented, using problem solving and decision making, and applying critical and analytical thinking help practitioners assess instrument issues and complete repairs accurately. Creativity and innovation also contribute to working with instruments in nuanced ways. Customer service skills are important because the role involves direct interaction with clients. Physical strength and stamina support the physical demands of repair and tuning tasks. Science knowledge is another component of the skill profile. Together, these skills suggest that success in this career depends as much on practical abilities and personal competencies as on formal schooling. For individuals with a high school background and strong hands-on talents, this can be an accessible pathway.
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