Musical Instrument Repairer: Job Description, Pay & Outlook

What does a musical instrument repairer do?

Musical instrument repairers and tuners repair percussion, stringed, reed or wind instruments, and may tune pianos and other instruments. The median pay is $46,420 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 1–3 years of training, and employment is projected to grow +1.9% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$46,420
$22.32/hour · May 2025
Job growth
+1.9%
2025–35, slower than average
Openings per year
600
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
BLS classification
Time to train
1–3 years of training
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
6,000
Employment, 2025

What musical instrument repairers do

Instrument repairers keep music playing. They tune and regulate pianos, repair band and orchestra instruments, set up guitars, replace pads and strings, fix cracks and sometimes build instruments.

A high school diploma plus an apprenticeship or repair school is typical. BLS projects slight growth.

Typical duties

Tune pianos
Repair brass and woodwinds
Set up guitars
Replace pads and strings
Fix cracks
Adjust actions
Build instruments

Work environment and schedule

Repairers work in shops, music stores, schools and homes.

Schedule: Full time, with busy back-to-school seasons.

A day in the life

8:00 AMTune a piano at a school.
10:00 AMBack at the shop: repad a clarinet.
12:00 PMLunch.
1:00 PMRemove dents from a trumpet.

See a full day in the life of a musical instrument repairer →

Musical Instrument Repairer salary

Half of musical instrument repairers earned more than $46,420 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $31,220 for the lowest 10% to $71,600 for the top 10%.

$31,22010th$46,420Median$71,60090th

Full musical instrument repairer pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a musical instrument repairer

Play an instrument
Attend a repair program
Work in a shop
Earn RPT if piano
Open a shop

A high school diploma plus an apprenticeship or instrument repair program is typical.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a musical instrument repairer →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Piano tuning
Brass and woodwind repair
Guitar setup
Woodworking
Soldering

People skills

Patience
Good ear
Attention to detail
Customer service

All musical instrument repairer skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Work with music
Craft skill
Can be self-employed
Steady school demand

Cons

Small field
Detail work
Seasonal rushes
Modest pay at first

Certifications and licenses

RPT: Registered Piano Technician (PTG).
NAPBIRT training: Band instrument repair.
Repair school certificate: Helpful.
Manufacturer training: Helpful.

Career path

Apprentice: Entry.
Repair Technician: Repair.
Master Technician: Complex work.
Shop Owner: Business.

Learn the job before day one

Our Musical Instrument Repairer training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as tune a piano by ear and tuner and replace a woodwind pad, safety and how to land your first job.

View Musical Instrument Repairer training Is this career right for me?

Music Director

Lead orchestras, bands and choirs, or compose original music.

$73,710
Years of music training

Watch Repairer

Clean, repair and restore watches and clocks.

$67,230
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Cabinetmaker

Build cabinets, furniture and custom woodwork.

$46,680
Months to years of training

Self-Enrichment Teacher

Teach people a skill they want to learn for fun or personal growth.

$46,800
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Compare: Musical Instrument Repairer vs. Music Director · Musical Instrument Repairer vs. Watch Repairer · Musical Instrument Repairer vs. Cabinetmaker · Musical Instrument Repairer vs. Self-Enrichment Teacher

Musical Instrument Repairer FAQ

How do I learn instrument repair?

Repair schools or apprenticeships.

What is an RPT?

A Registered Piano Technician.

Is the job growing?

BLS projects slight growth.

How much does a musical instrument repairer make?

The median annual wage for musical instrument repairers was $46,420 ($22.32 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $31,220 and the highest 10% earned more than $71,600.

How long does it take to become a musical instrument repairer?

Most people need about 1–3 years of training of training. A high school diploma plus an apprenticeship or instrument repair program is typical.

Do you need a degree to be a musical instrument repairer?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus apprenticeship.

More musical instrument repairer questions →

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 49-9063 (Musical instrument repairers and tuners).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Musical instrument repairers and tuners (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Musical Instrument Repairer