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
With the exception of camera repairers, who will face competition when looking for jobs, these workers should find plenty of job openings because many experienced repairers are nearing retirement age.
Government economists expect jobs for medical equipment repairers to grow much faster than the average for all careers through 2018. For an edge, earn an associate’s degree in biomedical equipment technology or engineering.
There will likely be little or no change in the number of jobs for music instrument repairers. This is due in part to cutbacks in school music programs.
Camera and watch repairers should find far fewer jobs in 2018 than there were in 2008. More people are choosing to replace, not repair, their cameras and watches.
Compensation
The U.S. Department of Labor estimates the following average yearly salaries for 2009:
- Camera and photographic equipment repairers: $39,210
- Medical equipment repairers: $44,950
- Musical instrument repairers and tuners: $36,330
- Watch repairers: $40,810
