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Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters

Typical education: High school diplomaLower pressure

What they do

Perform precision assembling or adjusting, within narrow tolerances, of timing devices such as digital clocks or timing devices with electrical or electronic components.

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.

Lower pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $62,620 Median per year · $30.11/hr Most earn $27,880–$78,270

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Bend parts, such as hairsprings, pallets, barrel covers, and bridges, to correct deficiencies in truing or endshake, using tweezers.
  • Observe operation of timepiece parts and subassemblies to determine accuracy of movement, and to diagnose causes of defects.
  • Clean and lubricate timepiece parts and assemblies, using solvents, buff sticks, and oil.
  • Examine components of timepieces such as watches, clocks, or chronometers for defects, using loupes or microscopes.
  • Review blueprints, sketches, or work orders to gather information about tasks to be completed.
  • Change timing weights on balance wheels to correct deficient timing.

Job outlook

United States
6% fewer jobs by 2035, declining · about 0 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control instruments manufacturing82.6%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 6 months to 1 year

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: High school diplomaExperience before this job: 6 months to 1 year

This is an entry-level job. You usually need a high school diploma, and most people spend roughly 6 months to 1 year doing related assembly work before they take on timing device assembly. Pay varies by location, so check the career page for typical pay near you and nationally.

  1. High School Diploma

    4 years

    Build basic math, science, and shop skills, plus careful, hands-on work habits that employers look for in assembly jobs.

  2. Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assembler

    6 months to 1 year

    Learn to put together small electrical and electronic parts with careful attention to detail, which builds the hands-on experience needed for precision timing devices.

  3. Timing Device Assembler and Adjuster

    6 months to 1 year of related work before this job

    Assemble and adjust digital clocks and other timing devices within very narrow tolerances, checking that each one keeps accurate time.

Where it can lead

  1. Industrial Machinery Mechanic

    1-2 years of experience first

    Shift from building devices to maintaining and repairing machines in a plant; this role usually requires a certificate or apprenticeship in addition to your experience.

  2. Watch and Clock Repairer

    2-4 years of experience first

    Move into diagnosing and repairing timekeeping devices for customers or shops, which typically requires a certificate or apprenticeship in repair skills.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take math, physics, and electronics or shop classesThese classes build the measuring, circuit, and tool skills that show up directly in timing device assembly work.
  • Join a robotics, electronics, or engineering clubHands-on building teams teach you to work carefully with small parts and follow precise specifications.
  • Do a summer job or volunteer at a repair or manufacturing shopEven basic work like sorting parts or helping with simple repairs gives you real workplace experience and a reference.
  • Build small electronics projects at homeSoldering a kit or assembling a simple circuit shows you enjoy precision work and gives you something to talk about in interviews.

In college

  • Take electronics, technical drawing, or quality control coursesThese teach you to read specifications and check work against tight tolerances, which is the core of this job.
  • Look for a part-time job in assembly, electronics, or manufacturingA campus or local job gives you the 6 months to 1 year of hands-on experience employers often want.
  • Earn a basic certification in electronics or solderingA short community college or trade school certificate can make your resume stand out for entry-level assembler roles.
  • Join a technical or maker club on campusWorking with others on hands-on projects builds teamwork skills and practical experience with tools and parts.

Tips for getting started

  • Practice fine motor skills now with model kits, electronics kits, or repairing small household gadgets, since precision work is central to this job.
  • Ask about part-time or summer work at local electronics, manufacturing, or repair shops to start building hands-on experience early.
  • Get comfortable reading diagrams, instructions, and measurement tools like calipers and multimeters, because you will use them daily.

Related jobs that often lead here

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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