Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners earn $46,420 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $37,670 and $58,430. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
Repair percussion, stringed, reed, or wind instruments. May specialize in one area, such as piano tuning.
Also known as:
Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners earn $46,420 nationally, below average for bachelor's degree holders. The middle 50% of earners fall between $37,670 and $58,430. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
Below average for bachelor's degree holders.
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
Creative and original thinking matters in this field, where fresh approaches, design sensibility, or expressive work drives real outcomes.
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
The BLS projects +1.4% employment change for Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners through 2034, below the national average of +5%. About 600 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
Slower than average.
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
The five states below employ the most Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $46,420 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 600 | $45,410 | -2.2% |
| 2 | Texas | 550 | $48,080 | +3.6% |
| 3 | Illinois | 410 | $48,860 | +5.3% |
| 4 | Pennsylvania | 350 | $37,810 | -18.5% |
| 5 | Tennessee | 350 | $44,060 | -5.1% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
Most Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners positions require a high school diploma or equivalent to qualify. The program below is the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
A medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience.
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Precision Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | 2,301 | — | 39 |
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Renton Technical College Renton, WA | 78 | $8,296 | $49,782 |
| 2 | Black River Technical College Pocahontas, AR | 72 | $5,095 | $34,818 |
| 3 | Trinidad State College Trinidad, CO | 72 | $10,772 | $36,475 |
| 4 | Lenoir Community College Kinston, NC | 72 | $4,127 | $33,866 |
| 5 | Palomar College San Marcos, CA | 71 | $5,763 | $42,300 |
| 6 | Piedmont Community College Roxboro, NC | 71 | $1,095 | $33,274 |
Once you've sized up Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
See if the degree that leads to Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
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The data on Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners shows 1 measurable strengths and 2 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.
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