Musical instrument repairers and tuners
SOC Code: 49-9063Also known as:
Accordion Repairer, Accordion Tuner, Band Instrument Repair Technician (Band Instrument Repair Tech), Band Instrument Repairer, Banjo Repairer
Median Annual Salary
$45,320
+1.4% growth (2024-2034)
600
Openings/Year
6K
Current Jobs
What Musical instrument repairers and tuners Do
Repair percussion, stringed, reed, or wind instruments. May specialize in one area, such as piano tuning.
💰 Salary
$45,320
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
+1.4%
As fast as average
🎓 Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
600
Projected average per year
📚 On-the-Job Training
Apprenticeship
Expected training period
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
6,200
Projected Employment (2034)
6,300
Related Careers
Electric motor, power tool, and related repairers
$53,990 •
+3.4% growth
Watch and clock repairers
$60,690 •
-1.1% growth
Coil winders, tapers, and finishers
$47,260 •
-6.3% growth
Timing device assemblers and adjusters
$40,790 •
-17.5% growth
Top Skills Required
Quality Control Analysis
Troubleshooting
Repairing
Critical Thinking
Service Orientation
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- Adjust string tensions to tune instruments, using hand tools and electronic tuning devices.
- 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.
- Inspect instruments to locate defects, and to determine their value or the level of restoration required.
- Shape old parts and replacement parts to improve tone or intonation, using hand tools, lathes, or soldering irons.
- String instruments, and adjust trusses and bridges of instruments to obtain specified string tensions and heights.
- Repair cracks in wood or metal instruments, using pinning wire, lathes, fillers, clamps, or soldering irons.
📚 Entry-Level Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
Post-Secondary Certificate
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Musical instrument repairers and tuners
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a musical instrument repairers and tuners:
Musical Instrument Fabrication and Repair
190 degrees awarded •
8 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Musical instrument repairers and tuners
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become musical instrument repairers and tuners.
| # | College | Location | Related Degrees | Repit Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery | Phoenix, AZ | 37 | C+ |
| 2 | North Bennet Street School | Boston, MA | 25 | C+ |
| 3 | Renton Technical College | Renton, WA | 22 | C+ |
| 4 | Western Iowa Tech Community College | Sioux City, IA | 8 | C+ |
| 5 | De Anza College | Cupertino, CA | 2 | C+ |
| 6 | Minnesota State College Southeast | Winona, MN | 52 | C |
| 7 | Musicians Institute | Hollywood, CA | 42 | C |
| 8 | Palomar College | San Marcos, CA | 2 | C |
Want this ranking as a spreadsheet? Investor Pro+ members can export any Repit table to CSV. See plans →
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do musical instrument repairers and tuners make?
The median annual salary for musical instrument repairers and tuners is $45,320.
What education do musical instrument repairers and tuners need?
Most musical instrument repairers and tuners positions require a high school diploma or equivalent.
Common degree programs include Musical Instrument Fabrication and Repair.
Is becoming musical instrument repairers and tuners a good career choice?
Musical instrument repairers and tuners is projected to see +1.4% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which is about average for all occupations. With approximately 600 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for musical instrument repairers and tuners?
Top colleges for aspiring musical instrument repairers and tuners include
Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery, North Bennet Street School, Renton Technical College, Western Iowa Tech Community College, De Anza College.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to musical instrument repairers and tuners?
Musical instrument repairers and tuners may also be known as: Accordion Repairer, Accordion Tuner, Band Instrument Repair Technician (Band Instrument Repair Tech), Band Instrument Repairer, Banjo Repairer, Bow Repairer, Brass and Wind Instrument Repairer, Brass Instrument Repair Technician (Brass Instrument Repair Tech), Fretted Instrument Repairer, Fretted String Instrument Repairer, Guitar Builder, Guitar Inspector, Guitar Repair Technician (Guitar Repair Tech), Guitar Repairer, Guitar Technician (Guitar Tech), Harp Regulator, Instrument Builder, Instrument Repair Technician (Instrument Repair Tech), Keyboard Instrument Repairer, Keyboard Instrument Tuner.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.