Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners fall under the Installation, Maintenance, and Repair category in the U.S. occupational classification. Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners earn a median salary of $45,320 per year, ranking in the top 76% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +1.4% job growth through 2034, projected to grow slower than the US average. Entry into this field typically requires an apprenticeship, technical certification, or postsecondary training, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do musical instrument repairers and tuners earn?

The median annual wage for musical instrument repairers and tuners is $45,320. That puts musical instrument repairers and tuners at #618 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is musical instrument repairers and tuners a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for musical instrument repairers and tuners is +1.4%, projected to grow slower than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 6K positions in 2024 to 6K in 2034, a net change of 0K. Flat growth typically reflects a mature, stable field. Most openings will come from retirements rather than new positions, which can favor candidates with strong networks and willingness to relocate.

What do musical instrument repairers and tuners do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working musical instrument repairers and tuners, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Compare instrument pitches with tuning tool pitches to tune instruments.
2. 2.Disassemble instruments and parts for repair and adjustment.
3. 3.Adjust string tensions to tune instruments, using hand tools and electronic tuning devices.
4. 4.Reassemble instruments following repair, using hand tools and power tools and glue, hair, yarn, resin, or clamps, and lubricate instruments as necessary.
5. 5.Mix and measure glue that will be used for instrument repair.
6. 6.Inspect instruments to locate defects, and to determine their value or the level of restoration required.
7. 7.Shape old parts and replacement parts to improve tone or intonation, using hand tools, lathes, or soldering irons.
8. 8.String instruments, and adjust trusses and bridges of instruments to obtain specified string tensions and heights.

Top skills for musical instrument repairers and tuners

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become musical instrument repairers and tuner?

Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners typically enter the field through a formal apprenticeship, technical certification, or vocational training program — a strong fit for teens who prefer hands-on learning over traditional college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

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Common questions parents ask about musical instrument repairers and tuners