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Timing Device Assembler
Also called: Precision Timing Assembler · Timer Assembler · Meter Assembler · Instrument Assembler
What timing device assemblers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a timing device assembler do?
Timing device assemblers and adjusters perform precision assembling, adjusting or calibrating of timing devices within narrow tolerances. The median pay is $62,620 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few months on the job, and employment is projected to grow -6.1% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$62,620$30.11/hour · May 2025
- Job growth-6.1%2025–35, a projected decline
- Openings per year0Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to trainA few months on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs200Employment, 2025
What timing device assemblers do
Timing device assemblers build tiny precision mechanisms. They assemble timers, meters, clocks and watches, adjust parts under magnification and calibrate devices to exact timing standards.
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical. It is one of the smallest occupations BLS tracks, with only a few hundred jobs.
Typical duties
- Assemble precision parts
- Adjust mechanisms
- Calibrate timing
- Inspect under magnification
- Test devices
- Lubricate parts
- Record results
Work environment and schedule
Assemblers work at clean benches in small manufacturing shops.
Schedule: Full-time daytime hours.
A day in the life
- Set up the clean bench.
- Assemble timer movements.
- Adjust escapements.
- Calibrate on a timing machine.
See a full day in the life of a timing device assembler →
Timing Device Assembler salary
Half of timing device assemblers earned more than $62,620 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $27,880 for the lowest 10% to $78,270 for the top 10%.
Full timing device assembler pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a timing device assembler
- Finish high school
- Practice fine motor skills
- Get hired
- Learn calibration
- Advance
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a timing device assembler →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Precision assembly
- Calibration
- Magnified inspection
- Lubrication
- Measurement
People skills
- Patience
- Steady hands
- Focus
- Attention to detail
All timing device assembler skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Precision craft
- Clean environment
- Steady pace
- No degree needed
Cons
- Tiny field
- Eye strain
- Very few openings
- Repetitive
Certifications and licenses
- Watchmaking course: Helpful.
- Precision assembly training: Employer.
- ESD training: Helpful.
- Quality training: Employer.
Career path
- Assembler: Entry.
- Senior Assembler: Complex units.
- Calibration Tech: Testing.
- Lead: Lead.
Learn the job before day one
Our Timing Device Assembler training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as calibrate a timing device and work under a microscope comfortably, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Timing Device Assembler vs. Watch Repairer · Timing Device Assembler vs. Electronics Assembler · Timing Device Assembler vs. QC Inspector · Timing Device Assembler vs. Camera Repairer
Timing Device Assembler FAQ
Is this a common job?
No, BLS counts only a few hundred jobs.
Do I need a degree?
No.
What related careers exist?
Watch repair and electronics assembly.
How much does a timing device assembler make?
The median annual wage for timing device assemblers was $62,620 ($30.11 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $27,880 and the highest 10% earned more than $78,270.
How long does it take to become a timing device assembler?
Most people need about A few months on the job of training. A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.
Do you need a degree to be a timing device assembler?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
More timing device assembler questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 51-2061 (Timing device assemblers and adjusters).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Timing device assemblers and adjusters (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.