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Watch and Clock Repairers

Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed

Repair, clean, and adjust mechanisms of timing instruments, such as watches and clocks. Includes watchmakers, watch technicians, and mechanical timepiece repairers.

Pay & job outlook

Median pay: $67,230/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)

$34,240$109,990

Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.

Job outlook: -1.1% projected growth, 20242034 — declining.

About 100 openings per year, on average, over the decade.

Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.

Top skills
RepairingCritical ThinkingOperations MonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingTroubleshootingSpeakingEquipment MaintenanceQuality Control AnalysisActive ListeningReading Comprehension
Top knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceAdministration and ManagementMechanicalAdministrativeEngineering and TechnologyProduction and ProcessingEnglish LanguageSales and Marketing
Core tasks

Clean, rinse, and dry timepiece parts, using solutions and ultrasonic or mechanical watch-cleaning machines.

Adjust timing regulators, using truing calipers, watch-rate recorders, and tweezers.

Reassemble timepieces, replacing glass faces and batteries, before returning them to customers.

Disassemble timepieces and inspect them for defective, worn, misaligned, or rusty parts, using loupes.

Oil moving parts of timepieces.

Estimate repair costs and timepiece values.

Repair or replace broken, damaged, or worn parts on timepieces, using lathes, drill presses, and hand tools.

Test timepiece accuracy and performance, using meters and other electronic instruments.

Frequently asked questions

What's the median pay for Watch and Clock Repairers?

The median pay for Watch and Clock Repairers is $67,230 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What's the job outlook for Watch and Clock Repairers?

Employment for Watch and Clock Repairers is projected to change -1.1% from 2024 to 2034 - declining.

What education is typically required for Watch and Clock Repairers?

Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.

How many job openings are there each year for Watch and Clock Repairers?

About 100 openings per year, on average, over the decade.