Watch and Clock Repairers
SOC code 49-9064 · O*NET-SOC 49-9064.00 · Medium preparation needed · Skilled trades
Watch and Clock Repairers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$67,230
a year
Hourly
$32.32
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$70,840
$34.06 per hour
Middle 50%
$47,650 – $91,490
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$34,240 – $109,990
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
1,310
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $34,240
- $16.46/hr
- 25th percentile
- $47,650
- $22.91/hr
- Median percentile
- $67,230
- $32.32/hr
- 75th percentile
- $91,490
- $43.99/hr
- 90th percentile
- $109,990
- $52.88/hr
What do watch and clock repairers do?
Repair, clean, and adjust mechanisms of timing instruments, such as watches and clocks. Includes watchmakers, watch technicians, and mechanical timepiece repairers.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Clean, rinse, and dry timepiece parts, using solutions and ultrasonic or mechanical watch-cleaning machines.
- Adjust timing regulators, using truing calipers, watch-rate recorders, and tweezers.
- Reassemble timepieces, replacing glass faces and batteries, before returning them to customers.
- Disassemble timepieces and inspect them for defective, worn, misaligned, or rusty parts, using loupes.
- Oil moving parts of timepieces.
- Estimate repair costs and timepiece values.
- Repair or replace broken, damaged, or worn parts on timepieces, using lathes, drill presses, and hand tools.
- Test timepiece accuracy and performance, using meters and other electronic instruments.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold post-secondary certificate — 46% 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 Certificate46%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)22%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree21%
- Some College Courses8%
Common questions
How much does a watch and clock repairers earn?
The national median is $67,230 a year. The full range runs from $34,240 at the 10th percentile to $109,990 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 watch and clock repairers 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 Thinking3.1/5
- Active Listening3.0/5
- Speaking3.0/5
- Reading Comprehension2.9/5
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service4.2/5
- Administration and Management3.7/5
- Mechanical3.6/5
- Administrative3.1/5
- Engineering and Technology3.0/5
- Production and Processing3.0/5
- English Language3.0/5
- Sales and Marketing2.8/5
Transferable strengths: Repairing, Operations Monitoring, Equipment Maintenance, Troubleshooting, Quality Control Analysis, Judgment and Decision Making.