Career comparison
Camera Repairer vs. Watch Repairer
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Watch repairers earn more at the median ($67,230 vs. $52,720), while camera repairers usually get to work faster (A year or more on the job of training). Camera repairers repair cameras, lenses and photographic equipment. Watch repairers clean, repair and restore watches and clocks.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Camera Repairer | Watch Repairer | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $52,720 ($25.35/hr) | $67,230 ($32.32/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $34,320 – $83,940 | $34,240 – $109,990 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -15.5% (a projected decline) | -0.3% (little or no change) |
| Openings per year | 100 | 100 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | A year or more on the job | 1–2 years of training |
| Key credential | Manufacturer service training | WOSTEP |
| Work setting | Repairers work at clean benches in repair shops and service centers.. | Watch repairers work at clean benches in shops, jewelers and service centers.. |
What each job does
Camera Repairer
- Diagnose camera faults
- Repair lenses
- Clean sensors
- Replace shutters
- Calibrate autofocus
Watch Repairer
- Disassemble movements
- Clean and oil parts
- Replace springs and gears
- Regulate timing
- Replace batteries and crystals
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, working independently, indoor work, and creative work. Both are part of the mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose camera repairer if…
- I love cameras
- I have steady hands
- I’m very patient
Choose watch repairer if…
- I love watches
- I have steady hands
- I’m very patient
Still torn? Take the Camera Repairer fit quiz and the Watch Repairer fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, camera repairer or watch repairer?
Watch Repairers earn more at the median: $67,230 versus $52,720 for camera repairers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Camera Repairers typically train faster (A year or more on the job) than watch repairers (1–2 years of training).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects watch repairers to grow -0.3% from 2025–35, compared with -15.5% for camera repairers.