Watch and Clock Repairers
Repair, clean, and adjust mechanisms of timing instruments, such as watches and clocks. Includes watchmakers, watch technicians, and mechanical timepiece repairers.
Also called: Antique Clock Repairer, Antique Clocks Repairer, Auto Clocks Repairer, Caser, Chronometer Repairer, Clock Mechanic
Median pay
$67,230
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$34,240 – $109,990
People employed
1,310
Holland code
RCI
Realistic · Conventional · Investigative
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.Do you prefer working indoors?
- 3.Are you comfortable sitting at a desk most of the day?
- 4.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 5.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
- 6.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Watch and Clock Repairers pay by state
Annual median pay by state (8 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What watch and clock repairers do
- 01Clean, rinse, and dry timepiece parts, using solutions and ultrasonic or mechanical watch-cleaning machines.
- 02Adjust timing regulators, using truing calipers, watch-rate recorders, and tweezers.
- 03Reassemble timepieces, replacing glass faces and batteries, before returning them to customers.
- 04Disassemble timepieces and inspect them for defective, worn, misaligned, or rusty parts, using loupes.
- 05Oil moving parts of timepieces.
- 06Estimate repair costs and timepiece values.
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Monitoring
- Writing
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administration and Management
- Mechanical
- Administrative
- Engineering and Technology
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cautiousness
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 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
- On-the-job training: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
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 watch and clock repairers
- Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters82% · −7%
- Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers75% · −16%
- Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians72% · −14%
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines68% · −3%
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment67% · +10%
Change into watch and clock repairers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters80% · $62,620
- Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians74% · $57,550
- Gem and Diamond Workers69% · $52,540
- Bicycle Repairers65% · $42,780
Majors that lead here
- Watchmaking and Jewelrymaking
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.