How much does a musical instrument repairer and tuner make?
The median musical instrument repairer and tuner in the United States earns $45,320 per year, about $21.79 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all musical instrument repairers and tuners earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 49-9063.
Musical instrument repairer and tuner salary range
Pay for musical instrument repairers and tuners spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $30,130 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $73,430. The average (mean) wage of $49,020 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $30,130 | $14.49 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $35,820 | $17.22 | |
| Median (50th) | $45,320 | $21.79 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $56,960 | $27.38 | |
| 90th percentile | $73,430 | $35.30 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for musical instrument repairers and tuners (SOC 49-9063), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Musical instrument repairer and tuner salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Musical instrument repairers and tuners earn the most in Nevada at $66,460 a year, and the least in Georgia at $25,420. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada | $66,460 | N/A |
| Massachusetts | $63,110 | 70 |
| Oregon | $60,150 | 70 |
| Michigan | $59,960 | 240 |
| Maryland | $59,550 | 110 |
| Louisiana | $53,830 | N/A |
| New Jersey | $52,950 | 110 |
| Connecticut | $52,270 | 80 |
| Illinois | $48,860 | 410 |
| Texas | $48,080 | 550 |
| New York | $46,680 | 260 |
| Missouri | $46,650 | 180 |
| North Carolina | $46,280 | 80 |
| Ohio | $45,930 | 180 |
| California | $45,410 | 600 |
| Virginia | $45,050 | 170 |
| Washington | $44,750 | 70 |
| Wisconsin | $44,220 | 130 |
| Tennessee | $44,060 | 350 |
| Utah | $41,440 | 100 |
| Minnesota | $40,880 | 60 |
| Colorado | $39,970 | 60 |
| Kentucky | $39,630 | 30 |
| Indiana | $39,610 | 260 |
| Rhode Island | $39,340 | N/A |
| Iowa | $38,810 | 120 |
| Arizona | $38,110 | 170 |
| Pennsylvania | $37,810 | 350 |
| Kansas | $36,350 | 90 |
| Florida | $35,250 | 90 |
| Oklahoma | $31,770 | 60 |
| Georgia | $25,420 | 260 |
State median wages for musical instrument repairers and tuners (SOC 49-9063), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for musical instrument repairers and tuners
The BLS projects employment of musical instrument repairers and tuners to grow 1.9% from 2025 to 2035. That is slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 6,000 jobs in 2025 moving toward 6,100 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 600 openings a year for musical instrument repairers and tuners. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a musical instrument repairer and tuner
The typical entry-level education for musical instrument repairers and tuners is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete a formal apprenticeship to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a musical instrument repairer and tuner earns
Certifications, the type of equipment worked on, employer, and region drive most of the pay difference. Flat-rate pay and overtime can push experienced techs well above the median.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Nevada, $66,460) and the lowest (Georgia, $25,420) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 5,730 people work as musical instrument repairers and tuners in the United States. At $45,320 a year, the job pays below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Musical instrument repairer and tuner salary FAQ
How much does a musical instrument repairer and tuner make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a musical instrument repairer and tuner is $21.79. The middle half of musical instrument repairers and tuners earn between $17.22 and $27.38 per hour.
What is the highest musical instrument repairer and tuner salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of musical instrument repairers and tuners earn more than $73,430 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a musical instrument repairer and tuner make a year?
The median annual salary for a musical instrument repairer and tuner is $45,320. The average (mean) wage of $49,020 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a musical instrument repairer and tuner a well paid job?
At $45,320 a year, a musical instrument repairer and tuner earns below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 5,730 people work as musical instrument repairers and tuners in the United States.
Which state pays musical instrument repairers and tuners the most?
Nevada has the highest median salary for musical instrument repairers and tuners at $66,460 a year. Massachusetts ($63,110) and Oregon ($60,150) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a musical instrument repairer and tuner a good career?
Employment of musical instrument repairers and tuners is projected to grow 1.9% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 600 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a musical instrument repairer and tuner?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for musical instrument repairers and tuners as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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