Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners
SOC code 49-9063 · O*NET-SOC 49-9063.00 · Medium preparation needed · Skilled trades
Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$46,420
a year
Hourly
$22.32
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$49,960
$24.02 per hour
Middle 50%
$37,670 – $58,430
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$31,220 – $71,600
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
5,380
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $31,220
- $15.01/hr
- 25th percentile
- $37,670
- $18.11/hr
- Median percentile
- $46,420
- $22.32/hr
- 75th percentile
- $58,430
- $28.09/hr
- 90th percentile
- $71,600
- $34.42/hr
What do musical instrument repairers and tuners do?
Repair percussion, stringed, reed, or wind instruments. May specialize in one area, such as piano tuning.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Align pads and keys on reed or wind instruments.
- Adjust string tensions to tune instruments, using hand tools and electronic tuning devices.
- Solder posts and parts to hold them in their proper places.
- Compare instrument pitches with tuning tool pitches to tune instruments.
- Play instruments to evaluate their sound quality and to locate any defects.
- Disassemble instruments and parts for repair and adjustment.
- Repair or replace musical instrument parts and components, such as strings, bridges, felts, and keys, using hand and power tools.
- Reassemble instruments following repair, using hand tools and power tools and glue, hair, yarn, resin, or clamps, and lubricate instruments as necessary.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold post-secondary certificate — 55% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 3 — Medium preparation needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Post-Secondary Certificate55%
- Less than a High School Diploma18%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)9%
- Bachelor's Degree9%
Common questions
How much does a musical instrument repairers and tuners earn?
The national median is $46,420 a year. The full range runs from $31,220 at the 10th percentile to $71,600 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a musical instrument repairers and tuners without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 3, meaning the typical entry route is most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Critical Thinking3.6/5
- Reading Comprehension3.0/5
- Active Listening3.0/5
- Speaking3.0/5
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service4.3/5
- Mechanical3.8/5
- Fine Arts3.5/5
- English Language3.4/5
- Administration and Management2.9/5
- Sales and Marketing2.9/5
- Engineering and Technology2.8/5
- Physics2.7/5
Transferable strengths: Quality Control Analysis, Troubleshooting, Repairing, Service Orientation, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making.