Installation & Repair

How much does a watch and clock repairer make?

The median watch and clock repairer in the United States earns $60,690 per year, about $29.18 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all watch and clock repairers earn more, and half earn less.

Median annual salary
$60,690
Median hourly wage
$29.18 /hr
Employed in the U.S.
1,300

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 49-9064.

Watch and clock repairer salary range

Pay for watch and clock repairers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $39,920 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $92,570. The average (mean) wage of $62,450 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 $39,920 $19.19 Lowest paid
25th percentile $46,530 $22.37
Median (50th) $60,690 $29.18 Midpoint
75th percentile $77,340 $37.18
90th percentile $92,570 $44.50 Highest paid

Figures are national wage estimates for watch and clock repairers (SOC 49-9064), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.

Watch and clock repairer salary by state

Where you work changes the paycheck. Watch and clock repairers earn the most in Texas at $84,740 a year, and the least in Georgia at $36,260. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.

State Median annual Employed
Texas $84,740 130
Colorado $81,680 40
New York $77,020 N/A
Mississippi $70,220 30
Florida $63,970 N/A
Massachusetts $61,520 N/A
Pennsylvania $58,320 80
California $54,490 N/A
Illinois $52,400 80
Maryland $51,110 50
Virginia $41,990 N/A
Georgia $36,260 40

State median wages for watch and clock repairers (SOC 49-9064), 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 watch and clock repairers

The BLS projects employment of watch and clock repairers to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 0.3%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 1,400 jobs in 2025 moving toward 1,400 by 2035.

Across the decade, the BLS expects about 100 openings a year for watch and clock repairers. 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 watch and clock repairer

The typical entry-level education for watch and clock repairers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete long-term on-the-job training 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 watch and clock repairer 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 (Texas, $84,740) and the lowest (Georgia, $36,260) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.

About 1,300 people work as watch and clock repairers in the United States. At $60,690 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.

Watch and clock repairer salary FAQ

How much does a watch and clock repairer make an hour?

The median hourly wage for a watch and clock repairer is $29.18. The middle half of watch and clock repairers earn between $22.37 and $37.18 per hour.

What is the highest watch and clock repairer salary?

The highest paid 10 percent of watch and clock repairers earn more than $92,570 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.

How much does a watch and clock repairer make a year?

The median annual salary for a watch and clock repairer is $60,690. The average (mean) wage of $62,450 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 watch and clock repairer a well paid job?

At $60,690 a year, a watch and clock repairer earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 1,300 people work as watch and clock repairers in the United States.

Which state pays watch and clock repairers the most?

Texas has the highest median salary for watch and clock repairers at $84,740 a year. Colorado ($81,680) and New York ($77,020) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.

Is being a watch and clock repairer a good career?

Employment of watch and clock repairers is projected to shrink 0.3% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 100 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.

Do you need a degree to become a watch and clock repairer?

No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for watch and clock repairers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.

Related salaries

See more in Installation & Repair salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.

Sources. National and state wage and employment figures: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024 and the OEWS state files. Growth, openings, education, and training: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2025–2035). Every figure on this page is published by the BLS and is shown without adjustment. View the originals at bls.gov/oes and bls.gov/emp. Last updated 2025-04-02.