Repair, clean, and adjust mechanisms of timing instruments, such as watches and clocks. Includes watchmakers, watch technicians, and mechanical timepiece repairers.
Watch and Clock Repairers
SOC: 49-9064 O*NET: 49-9064.00
Median Salary
$60,690
per year
Job Growth
📉 -1.1%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.1
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
Repair, clean, and adjust mechanisms of timing instruments, such as watches and clocks. Includes watchmakers, watch technicians, and mechanical timepiece repairers.
What does a Watch and Clock Repairers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$39,920
10th percentile
Early Career
$46,530
25th percentile
Median
$60,690
50th percentile
Experienced
$77,340
75th percentile
Top Earners
$92,570
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$39,920
25th
$46,530
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$60,690
Mean: $62,450
75th
$77,340
90th
$92,570
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $52,650 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $46,530 and $77,340
- •Salary spread is 50.8% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 1,300 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:1,400
Top Industries
Retail Trade57.7%
Clothing, Clothing Accessories, Shoe, and Jewelry Retailers56.2%
Jewelry, Luggage, and Leather Goods Retailers53.8%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-1.1%
Annual Openings:100
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)1,400
Current
2034 (Projected)1,400
-1.1%
0
Employment Change
-1.1%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Watch and Clock Repairers professionals work across the United States
Showing 12 of 12 locations
Texas
130 jobs$84,7401.08x
Pennsylvania
80 jobs$58,3201.59x
Illinois
80 jobs$52,4001.52x
Maryland
50 jobs$51,1102.17x
Colorado
40 jobs$81,6801.63x
Georgia
40 jobs$36,2600.90x
Mississippi
30 jobs$70,2203.21x
New York
0 jobs$77,0200.00x
Florida
0 jobs$63,9700.00x
Massachusetts
0 jobs$61,5200.00x
California
0 jobs$54,4900.00x
Virginia
0 jobs$41,9900.00x
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
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Repairing
100%
#2
Critical Thinking
92%
#3
Operations Monitoring
86%
#4
Troubleshooting
78%
#5
Equipment Maintenance
70%
#6
Quality Control Analysis
62%
#7
Active Listening
56%
#8
Speaking
48%
#9
Judgment and Decision Making
40%
Skills Overview
Repairing
advanced5.0
100%
Critical Thinking
advanced4.6
92%
Operations Monitoring
intermediate4.3
86%
Troubleshooting
intermediate3.9
78%
Equipment Maintenance
intermediate3.5
70%
Quality Control Analysis
intermediate3.1
62%
Active Listening
basic2.8
56%
Speaking
basic2.4
48%
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:
Repairing
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Operations Monitoring
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Troubleshooting
intermediateImportance78%
skills
3.9/5.0
Equipment Maintenance
intermediateImportance70%
skills
3.5/5.0
Quality Control Analysis
intermediateImportance62%
skills
3.1/5.0
Active Listening
basicImportance56%
skills
2.8/5.0
Speaking
basicImportance48%
skills
2.4/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door90%
5 shared skills
Rail Car Repairers80%
5 shared skills
Avionics Technicians73%
5 shared skills
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists73%
5 shared skills
Continuous Mining Machine Operators73%
5 shared skills
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay73%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Learn on the Job:
- →Quality Control Analysis
- →Active Listening
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Repairing
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Repairing
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Troubleshooting
- ★Equipment Maintenance
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 Watch and Clock Repairers
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
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Intuit QuickBooks
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Intuit QuickBooks
SAP software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 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
FREQUENT
💡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
15
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (11)Operations & Execution (2)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)
1
Oil moving parts of timepieces.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Repair or replace broken, damaged, or worn parts on timepieces, using lathes, drill presses, and hand tools.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Clean, rinse, and dry timepiece parts, using solutions and ultrasonic or mechanical watch-cleaning machines.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Disassemble timepieces and inspect them for defective, worn, misaligned, or rusty parts, using loupes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Reassemble timepieces, replacing glass faces and batteries, before returning them to customers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Test timepiece accuracy and performance, using meters and other electronic instruments.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution85% perform90%
7
Fabricate parts for watches and clocks, using small lathes and other machines.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Estimate repair costs and timepiece values.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Perform regular adjustment and maintenance on timepieces, watch cases, and watch bands.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Operations & Execution76% perform84%
10
Adjust timing regulators, using truing calipers, watch-rate recorders, and tweezers.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •47% 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 Watch and Clock Repairers
💡 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?
Watch and Clock Repairers professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value independence
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Watch and Clock Repairers
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.97
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.57
Analytical Thinking
Very ImportantAnalytical Thinking
Importance Level4.12
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.10
Independence
ImportantIndependence
Importance Level3.89
Dependability
ImportantDependability
Importance Level3.89
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
5.0
Integrity
4.6
Analytical Thinking
4.1
Self-Control
4.1
Independence
3.9
Dependability
3.9
Initiative
3.8
Concern for Others
3.8
Cooperation
3.8
Achievement/Effort
3.7
💡 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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