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
Long-term on-the-job training
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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Watch and clock repairers work in a small, specialized occupation with a national employment level of 1,000. The typical entry point is a high school diploma or equivalent, making the field accessible to people who prefer to build skills on the job or through focused training rather than lengthy formal education. This career demands a mix of fine motor skills, mechanical aptitude, and strong attention to detail, supported by problem solving, critical thinking, and customer service abilities. Nationally, the median annual salary is $60,690, indicating solid earning potential for a hands-on technical role of this size. Projected employment growth is -1.1%, and annual openings are reported as 0, suggesting a relatively stable but limited job market. For those who value specialized mechanical work and precision, and who are comfortable in a niche field with modest growth, this can be a focused and rewarding path to consider.
Nationally, watch and clock repairers earn a median annual salary of $60,690. This figure represents the midpoint of earnings, meaning half of workers in this occupation earn more and half earn less. Given the small national employment base of 1,000 workers, this salary level indicates that people who succeed in the field can reach solid income levels relative to the occupation’s size and specialization. By comparison, in Colorado the median salary is $49,990, which is notably below the national median for this occupation. This highlights how earnings can vary by location, even when the core work and skill requirements remain the same. When evaluating this career, it is worth considering both the national earning potential and local wage differences, especially for individuals who may be flexible about where they live or plan to relocate to pursue opportunities.
Watch and clock repairers work in a very small labor market, with national employment of 1,000. The projected employment growth rate is -1.1%, indicating a slight decline over the projection period. Annual openings are reported as 0, which underscores that new positions may be limited and that much of the movement in the field may come from turnover rather than expansion. For career planners, this suggests a relatively stable but constrained market where opportunities may be more competitive or depend heavily on specific employers and local demand. The negative growth rate does not necessarily mean the occupation is disappearing, but it does signal that job seekers should be thoughtful about where they pursue roles and how they develop and maintain their skills. Those already in the occupation may choose to deepen their expertise, while prospective entrants should be prepared for a niche field with modest hiring activity.
Geographically, opportunities for watch and clock repairers are concentrated in select areas, with Colorado standing out in the available data. Colorado has a median salary of $49,990 for this occupation, employment of 60, projected growth of -1.1%, and a CareerGPS opportunity score of 56.97. This means Colorado accounts for a noticeable share of the national employment base of 1,000 workers. Within the state, the Denver-Aurora-Centennial metro area is particularly important. This metro shows a median salary identical to the statewide figure at $49,990, employment of 40, the same -1.1% growth, and an opportunity score of 57.05, slightly higher than the state overall. The similarity in salary and growth between Colorado and Denver-Aurora-Centennial suggests that much of the state’s opportunity for watch and clock repairers is concentrated in this metro area, with a modest difference in opportunity score indicating relatively stronger prospects there compared with the broader state context.
The typical education requirement for watch and clock repairers is a high school diploma or equivalent. This relatively modest formal education threshold allows individuals to enter the field without advanced degrees, making it accessible to those who prefer hands-on technical careers developed through experience and focused training. Success in this occupation, however, relies on a robust skill set. Key abilities include fine motor skills and mechanical aptitude, both essential for working precisely with intricate mechanisms. Being detail oriented supports accuracy and quality, while problem solving, decision making, and critical and analytical thinking help address technical issues. Customer service skills are also important, reflecting the interaction many repairers have with clients. Additional strengths in project management, science, creativity and innovation, and physical strength and stamina further round out the profile, supporting both the technical and practical demands of the work. Together, these skills complement the baseline high school education and shape readiness for the role.
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