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Installation, Maintenance, and Repair

Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners

Repair percussion, stringed, reed, or wind instruments. May specialize in one area, such as piano tuning.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners
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Median pay

$45,320
Median annual pay for Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

1.4%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

600
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

6,200
Estimated U.S. employment for Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+100
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical additional preparation: Apprenticeship.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Critical Thinking
  2. 2Active Listening
  3. 3Reading Comprehension
  4. 4Speaking
  5. 5Monitoring
  6. 6Active Learning

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Customer and Personal Service
  2. 2Mechanical
  3. 3Fine Arts
  4. 4English Language
  5. 5Administration and Management
  6. 6Sales and Marketing

Abilities

  1. 1Hearing Sensitivity
  2. 2Arm-Hand Steadiness
  3. 3Finger Dexterity
  4. 4Manual Dexterity
  5. 5Near Vision
  6. 6Auditory Attention

Career interests

  1. 1Realistic
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Artistic
  4. 4Investigative
  5. 5Social
  6. 6Enterprising

Work styles

  1. 1Attention to Detail
  2. 2Dependability
  3. 3Cautiousness
  4. 4Perseverance
  5. 5Achievement Orientation
  6. 6Innovation

Work activities

  1. 1Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  2. 2Getting Information
  3. 3Handling and Moving Objects
  4. 4Thinking Creatively
  5. 5Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
  6. 6Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Work context

  1. 1Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
  2. 2Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
  3. 3Telephone Conversations
  4. 4E-Mail
  5. 5Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  6. 6Freedom to Make Decisions

Representative tasks

  • 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.

Software and tools

Katsura Shareware KS Strobe TunerKatsura Shareware ProLevelKatsura Shareware SoundFramesMensurix AudioReyburn CyberTunerTonalEnergy Tuner & MetronomeTunable Instrument TunerTuneLabTunic OnlyPureVeritune Verituner

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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