Career: Precision Instrument and Equipment Repairers
Precision instrument and equipment repairers work with objects that many consider valuable works of art, such as violins and pianos, antique cameras, or antique watches and clocks.
Repairing these delicate instruments takes a good eye and a steady hand to work with tiny gears and aged parts, but it also takes an appreciation of what you are repairing. And if you specialize in medical equipment, the repairs you make to these complex tools will even save lives.
Precision instrument and equipment repairers fix watches, cameras, musical instruments, and medical equipment.
Did You Know?
- The first step in repairing an inexpensive camera is deciding whether it’s more cost-effective to replace it altogether.
Are You Ready To...?
- Adjust the winding mechanism on an art deco watch from the 1920s
- Repair the electronic circuits in a digital camera
- Restring a violin or tune a piano
- Repair a malfunctioning defibrillator at a hospital
- Manufacture a new part for a grandfather clock
It Helps to Be...
Careful. The care you take in repairing antiques and delicate objects will preserve them for the years to come.
Make High School Count
- Pay attention in math and sign up for electronics. You may need to make measurements, or repair the electrical or computerized parts of medical or digital equipment.
- Study music if you're interested in musical instrument repair. Most of these repairers have a background in music and may even be able to play the instruments they repair.
- Make the most of English classes and develop your reading skills. It’s important to be able to understand technical manuals and written instructions.
Did You Know?
- Since many parts are often no longer available for antique cameras and watches, many repairers make their own.
Outlook
Government economists expect jobs for medical equipment repairers to grow much faster than the average for all careers through 2016. Reasons include the growth of the health care industry and the increasing complexity of equipment. Those with a grasp of software and electronics should find the best opportunities.
However, job growth for music instrument repairers should be slower than average. This is due in part to cutbacks in school music programs.
There may be fewer jobs for camera and watch repairers in 2016 than there were in 2006. More people are buying inexpensive products that are often cheaper to replace than repair.
Compensation
The U.S. Department of Labor estimates the following average yearly salaries for 2007:
- Camera and photographic equipment repairers: $37,570
- Medical repairers: $43,580
- Musical instrument repairers and tuners: $34,330
- Watch repairers: $36,200
