Career Overview
Repair percussion, stringed, reed, or wind instruments. May specialize in one area, such as piano tuning.
Also Known As
- Instrument Repair Technician (Instrument Repair Tech)
- Luthier
- Piano Technician (Piano Tech)
- Piano Tuner
Alternate Job Titles
- Accordion Repairer
- Accordion Tuner
- Band Instrument Repair Technician (Band Instrument Repair Tech)
- Band Instrument Repairer
- Banjo Repairer
- Bow Repairer
- Brass and Wind Instrument Repairer
- Brass Instrument Repair Technician (Brass Instrument Repair Tech)
- Fretted Instrument Repairer
- Fretted String Instrument Repairer
- Guitar Builder
- Guitar Inspector
- Guitar Repair Technician (Guitar Repair Tech)
- Guitar Repairer
- Guitar Technician (Guitar Tech)
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- 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.
- Reassemble instruments following repair, using hand tools and power tools and glue, hair, yarn, resin, or clamps, and lubricate instruments as necessary.
- Inspect instruments to locate defects, and to determine their value or the level of restoration required.
Emerging Responsibilities
As this field evolves, you may also:
- Adjust the neck angle on fretted instruments.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mechanical
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Quality Control Analysis
- Troubleshooting
- Repairing
- Critical Thinking
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Hearing Sensitivity
- Finger Dexterity
- Manual Dexterity
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Near Vision
- Control Precision
- Auditory Attention
- Visualization
- Problem Sensitivity
- Deductive Reasoning
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Cautiousness
- Perseverance
- Achievement Orientation
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Achievement
- Independence
- Working Conditions
- Recognition
- Relationships
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Education Details: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience Required: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Technology You'll Use
Tools & Equipment
- Action regulators
- Adjustable C clamps
- Adjustable fret slotting saws
- Agraffe removers
- Air dusting guns
- Air hoses
- Alcohol lamps
- Alignment jigs
- Allen wrenches
- Alligator forceps
- Arbors
- Arch punches
- Automated sprayers
- Ball-end hex keys
- Band clamps
Work Environment
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
- Telephone Conversations
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $30,130 |
| Median | $45,320 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $73,430 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 5,730
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.