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Musical instrument maker and repairer

Alternative titles for this job include Musical instrument technician

Musical instrument makers and repairers construct new musical instruments and fix ones that have been damaged.

Average salary (a year)

Variable

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 40 variable

You could work

freelance / self-employed managing your own hours

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • applying directly
  • a specialised training course

University

You could do a specialist musical instrument craft degree or foundation degree at university. Some universities also offer short courses in instrument making and repair.

You would learn traditional skills and knowledge to specialise in building and repairing instruments like guitar, violin, piano or woodwind.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

College

Some colleges and adult education centres run short courses in instrument repair, for example for guitars or violins.

Check with your local education centre to see what they offer.

The British Violin Making Association has details of courses around the country for that particular instrument.

Entry requirements

There are no set entry requirements for this route.

More Information

Direct Application

You could approach instrument repairers directly to see if they're willing to take you on as a trainee. Craft skills like carpentry would be useful alongside enthusiasm for the profession and a keenness to learn.

Other Routes

You could take a training course with a specialist provider related to the type of instrument you want to make. Courses are also offered by professional bodies for particular instruments, for example:

Entry requirements will depend on the type of course you want to do.

More Information

Career tips

Craft skills are often more important than qualifications to get into this career. A background in woodworking or model making may help.

You might also find it useful if you can play the musical instrument you want to learn how to make or repair.

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the National Association of Musical Instrument Repairers for professional development and to make contacts in the profession.

Further information

You can get more information on working in crafts and creative careers from Discover Creative Careers.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to repair and test the performance of instruments
  • persistence and determination
  • customer service skills
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • problem-solving skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As an instrument maker or repairer, you would:

  • build new instruments
  • repair or renovate damaged or worn instruments
  • restore or reproduce period instruments
  • use traditional hand tools and materials
  • fit plastic, fibreglass and electronic parts to instruments like electric guitars
  • apply finishing techniques such as polishing and varnishing
  • tune instruments

Working environment

You could work from home, at a client's home, in a workshop or at a client's business.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

If you work for an instrument making and repair business, you may be able to become a workshop supervisor or manager.

You could also move into product development, buying, sales or training, or specialise in the restoration of antique instruments.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a musical instrument maker and repairer right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Music Technology and Production Diploma Level 3

  • Provider: The Manchester College
  • Start date: 08 September 2025
  • Location: Manchester

BTEC National Diploma in Music Technology (Music Production) Level 3 Pearson

  • Provider: Morley College
  • Start date: 08 September 2025
  • Location: London
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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