Repair percussion, stringed, reed, or wind instruments. May specialize in one area, such as piano tuning.
Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners
SOC: 49-9063 O*NET: 49-9063.00
Median Salary
$45,320
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 1.4%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.6
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
Repair percussion, stringed, reed, or wind instruments. May specialize in one area, such as piano tuning.
What does a Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$30,130
10th percentile
Early Career
$35,820
25th percentile
Median
$45,320
50th percentile
Experienced
$56,960
75th percentile
Top Earners
$73,430
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$30,130
25th
$35,820
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$45,320
Mean: $49,020
75th
$56,960
90th
$73,430
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $43,300 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $35,820 and $56,960
- •Salary spread is 46.6% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 5,730 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:6,200
Top Industries
Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument, Book, and Miscellaneous Retailers64%
Retail Trade64%
Sporting Goods, Hobby, and Musical Instrument Retailers63%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+1.4%
Annual Openings:600
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)6,200
Current
2034 (Projected)6,300
+1.4%
+100
Employment Change
+1.4%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 34 locations
California
600 jobs$45,4100.90x
Texas
550 jobs$48,0801.07x
Illinois
410 jobs$48,8601.82x
Tennessee
350 jobs$44,0602.88x
Pennsylvania
350 jobs$37,8101.56x
New York
260 jobs$46,6800.73x
Indiana
260 jobs$39,6102.18x
Georgia
260 jobs$25,4201.46x
Michigan
240 jobs$59,9601.44x
Missouri
180 jobs$46,6501.70x
Ohio
180 jobs$45,9300.90x
Virginia
170 jobs$45,0501.13x
Arizona
170 jobs$38,1101.43x
Wisconsin
130 jobs$44,2201.18x
Iowa
120 jobs$38,8102.03x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
Standard growth expectations for this occupation
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Quality Control Analysis
100%
#2
Troubleshooting
94%
#3
Repairing
86%
#4
Critical Thinking
80%
#5
Service Orientation
74%
#6
Judgment and Decision Making
66%
#7
Complex Problem Solving
60%
#8
Equipment Selection
54%
#9
Speaking
46%
#10
Reading Comprehension
40%
Skills Overview
Quality Control Analysis
advanced5.0
100%
Troubleshooting
advanced4.7
94%
Repairing
intermediate4.3
86%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.0
80%
Service Orientation
intermediate3.7
74%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.3
66%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.0
60%
Equipment Selection
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Quality Control Analysis
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Troubleshooting
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Repairing
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Equipment Selection
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Speaking
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Locksmiths and Safe Repairers67%
5 shared skills
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians54%
5 shared skills
Audiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers54%
5 shared skills
Avionics Technicians54%
5 shared skills
Bicycle Repairers54%
5 shared skills
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists54%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Learn on the Job:
- →Equipment Selection
- →Judgment and Decision Making
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Quality Control Analysis
- ✓Troubleshooting
- ✓Repairing
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Quality Control Analysis
- ★Troubleshooting
- ★Repairing
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Service Orientation
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
Technology Stack
Technology stack information is being compiled for this career.
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Analysis & Evaluation (1)General Responsibilities (19)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)
1
Play instruments to evaluate their sound quality and to locate any defects.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation100% perform100%
2
Adjust string tensions to tune instruments, using hand tools and electronic tuning devices.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Disassemble instruments and parts for repair and adjustment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Inspect instruments to locate defects, and to determine their value or the level of restoration required.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Repair cracks in wood or metal instruments, using pinning wire, lathes, fillers, clamps, or soldering irons.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Reassemble instruments following repair, using hand tools and power tools and glue, hair, yarn, resin, or clamps, and lubricate instruments as necessary.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Compare instrument pitches with tuning tool pitches to tune instruments.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
String instruments, and adjust trusses and bridges of instruments to obtain specified string tensions and heights.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Repair or replace musical instrument parts and components, such as strings, bridges, felts, and keys, using hand and power tools.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Polish instruments, using rags and polishing compounds, buffing wheels, or burnishing tools.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on analysis & evaluation activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners professionals typically have a RAC Holland code and highly value achievement
RRealistic
AArtistic
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.86
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.77
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.68
Initiative
Very ImportantInitiative
Importance Level4.45
Achievement/Effort
Very ImportantAchievement/Effort
Importance Level4.45
Persistence
Very ImportantPersistence
Importance Level4.41
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.9
Integrity
4.8
Dependability
4.7
Initiative
4.5
Achievement/Effort
4.5
Persistence
4.4
Independence
4.2
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.0
Cooperation
4.0
Self-Control
3.9
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
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