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Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners

The short answer

This job is less likely to change much. Most of the work is the kind AI can't help with. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to hold steady over the next decade, with about 30 openings expected each year.

Step 1

Where your job stands

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the least exposed fifth for how much AI could touch it. Most of what it involves isn't the kind of work AI can take over.

How much AI could touch this job

Least exposedband 1 of 5
least exposedmost exposed

Looking at the job itself, AI could help with a small part of this job's tasks.

What this means

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the least exposed fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.

Step 2

What AI can and can’t help with in this job

This job is in the least exposed fifth of New York jobs for AI exposure. The tasks below show why: most of what it involves is work AI can't simply take over.

AI can help with or automate about 4% of the tasks in this job.

Tasks AI can help with or automate

  1. Inspect instruments to locate defects, and to determine their value or the level of restoration required.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

Tasks AI can't do much of

  1. Align pads and keys on reed or wind instruments.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  2. Adjust string tensions to tune instruments, using hand tools and electronic tuning devices.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  3. Solder posts and parts to hold them in their proper places.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  4. Compare instrument pitches with tuning tool pitches to tune instruments.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  5. Play instruments to evaluate their sound quality and to locate any defects.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

Step 3

Jobs you could switch to

If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.

See related jobs in

The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.

  • Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines

    Very similar work
    +24% pay431 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 24% more—$68,183 vs your $54,926 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus long-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Mechanical
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    • Control Precision
    • Near Vision
    • Finger Dexterity

    New skills to build

    • Extent Flexibility
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    • Equipment Maintenance
    • Static Strength
    • Rate Control
  • Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers

    Very similar work
    +25% pay51 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 25% more—$68,591 vs your $54,926 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, with less than 5 years of experience, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Mechanical
    • Finger Dexterity
    • Near Vision
    • Manual Dexterity
    • Quality Control Analysis

    New skills to build

    • Installation
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    • Extent Flexibility
  • Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians

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    +10% pay162 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 10% more—$60,609 vs your $54,926 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus long-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Mechanical
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Control Precision
    • Repairing
    • Problem Sensitivity

    New skills to build

    • Extent Flexibility
    • Computers and Electronics
    • Mathematics
  • Sheet Metal Workers

    Very similar work
    +38% pay471 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 38% more—$75,758 vs your $54,926 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus apprenticeship.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Mechanical
    • Visualization
    • Near Vision
    • Manual Dexterity
    • Finger Dexterity

    New skills to build

    • Building and Construction
    • Mathematics
    • Design
    • Stamina
  • Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

    Somewhat similar work
    slightly less pay132 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays slightly less—$50,412 vs your $54,926 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Control Precision
    • Near Vision
    • Quality Control Analysis
    • Manual Dexterity
    • Problem Sensitivity

    New skills to build

    • Reaction Time
    • Operation and Control
    • Production and Processing
    • Operations Monitoring
    • Rate Control