Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners salary by state
Adjust string tensions to tune instruments, using hand tools and electronic tuning devices.
Compare instrument pitches with tuning tool pitches to tune instruments.
Play instruments to evaluate their sound quality and to locate any defects.
Disassemble instruments and parts for repair and adjustment.
Repair or replace musical instrument parts and components, such as strings, bridges, felts, and keys, using hand and power tools.
Top skills:Quality Control AnalysisTroubleshootingRepairingCritical ThinkingService OrientationJudgment and Decision Making
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners pay by experience level
Entry level$32,500
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$39,000
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$48,000
Mid-career median pay
Senior$60,500
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$74,000
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+1.4%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
600
projected openings per year
Growing slower than average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners salary by industry
Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument, Book, and Miscellaneous Retailers
3,510 workers
$49,500
Sporting Goods, Hobby, and Musical Instrument Retailers
3,500 workers
$49,500
Repair and Maintenance
890 workers
$50,500
Personal and Household Goods Repair and Maintenance
890 workers
$50,500
Miscellaneous Manufacturing
450 workers
$53,500
Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing
450 workers
$53,500
Educational Services
280 workers
$66,000
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
190 workers
$72,500
Educational Services, Privately Owned
150 workers
$63,500
Educational Services, State Government Owned
110 workers
$69,500
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners pays 22% below the average across 52 roles in the Installation, Maintenance, and Repair job family (family average $66,500).
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