Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
A repair often begins by playing the instrument and comparing its pitch to a tuning reference, then setting string tensions with hand tools or electronic tuners. Percussion, stringed, reed, and wind instruments are taken apart so strings, bridges, felts, and keys can be repaired or replaced; some specialize in piano tuning. Old and new pieces are shaped with hand tools, lathes, or soldering irons, then the instrument is reassembled with glue, clamps, hair, yarn, or resin and lubricated as needed. Inspection decides how much restoration is required. It suits people who like fine, hands-on work, careful listening for pitch and tone, and judging how far a repair should go.
Typical education: Post-Secondary Certificate (vocational/technical)
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$46'420
Median Wage Market Position
$46'420
What you might do
- Tune instruments by adjusting string tension
- Play instruments to judge sound quality
- Replace strings, bridges, felts, and keys
- Take instruments apart for repair
- Reassemble instruments and glue or clamp parts
- Shape replacement parts to improve tone
Skills that matter
- Matching pitch with electronic tuning devices
- Playing an instrument to find defects
- Repair of strings, bridges, felts, and keys
- Shaping parts for better tone and intonation
- Judging whether to repair or restore
- Reassembly with glue, clamps, and lubricant
AI & the future of this role
Tone, feel, and tiny mechanical adjustments rest on trained ears and hands more than screens. Digital tuning aids may assist, yet custom craftsmanship and musician trust are likely to preserve steady niche demand.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details