Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners
Repair percussion, stringed, reed, or wind instruments. May specialize in one area, such as piano tuning.
Also called: Accordion Repairer, Accordion Tuner, Band Instrument Repair Technician (Band Instrument Repair Tech), Band Instrument Repairer, Banjo Repairer, Bow Repairer
Median pay
$46,420
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$31,220 – $71,600
People employed
5,380
Holland code
RCA
Realistic · Conventional · Artistic
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 2.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 3.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
- 4.Are you OK with hours that change?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners pay by state
Annual median pay by state (34 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners salary in every state →
What musical instrument repairers and tuners do
- 01Align pads and keys on reed or wind instruments.
- 02Adjust string tensions to tune instruments, using hand tools and electronic tuning devices.
- 03Solder posts and parts to hold them in their proper places.
- 04Compare instrument pitches with tuning tool pitches to tune instruments.
- 05Play instruments to evaluate their sound quality and to locate any defects.
- 06Disassemble instruments and parts for repair and adjustment.
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
- Writing
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mechanical
- Fine Arts
- English Language
- Sales and Marketing
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs vocational training or an associate degree (O*NET Job Zone 3).
- Related work experience: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
- On-the-job training: over 6 months, up to and including 1 year.
- A certification can help.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from musical instrument repairers and tuners
- Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters78% · +35%
- Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers75% · +21%
- Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians75% · +24%
- Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand71% · −8%
- Motorcycle Mechanics71% · +5%
Change into musical instrument repairers and tuners
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Bicycle Repairers63% · $42,780
- Gem and Diamond Workers62% · $52,540
- Potters, Manufacturing62% · $46,170
- Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers61% · $52,540
- Craft Artists56% · $46,080
Majors that lead here
- Musical Instrument Fabrication and Repair
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.