Precision instrument makers and repairers: average salary and pay in the UK
Full-time precision instrument makers and repairers in the UK earned a median £40,062 in the year to 5 April 2025, according to the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE): £1,023 above the all-jobs median of £39,039.
What the figures show
That puts it 130th of 382, in the middle third of occupations.
The mean, £46,635, is 16% above the median, a sign of a few very high earners.
Median full-time pay: women £28,539 a year, men £41,125 a year.
ASHE counts roughly 11,000 employee jobs, 82% full-time.
Since 2021 the median has risen 47.2% (from £27,224), faster than the 25.0% for all jobs.
The Annual Population Survey counts 15,800 people in this line of work across the UK.
Pay distribution, 2025 provisional
| Gross pay | Full-time, annual | Full-time, weekly | Full-time, hourly | All, annual | All, weekly | All, hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20th percentile | £30,712 | £585.60 | £14.58 | – | £524.20* | £14.13 |
| 25th percentile | £31,737 | £608.70 | £15.99 | £28,733* | £565.30* | £14.93 |
| 30th percentile | £32,792* | £652.00 | £16.09 | £30,985 | £593.80* | £16.03 |
| 40th percentile | £35,224* | £719.90 | £17.99 | £32,940* | £663.10 | £17.48 |
| Median (50th percentile) | £40,062* | £761.40 | £19.06 | £37,031* | £732.50 | £18.69 |
| 60th percentile | £47,591* | £792.90* | £19.92* | – | £770.30* | £19.83* |
| 70th percentile | – | £980.50* | – | – | £895.10* | – |
| Mean | £46,635 | £872.10 | £22.08 | £42,784 | £809.50 | £21.72 |
Pay since 2021
| ASHE year | Full-time, annual median | Full-time, weekly median | Full-time, hourly median | All, annual median | All, weekly median | Jobs (thousands, indicative) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 revised | £27,224* | £517.30 | £13.70 | £26,920 | £503.60 | 11* |
| 2022 revised | £30,576* | £590.10 | £14.93 | £28,705 | £563.70 | 12* |
| 2023 revised | £30,272 | £590.40 | £15.32 | £29,600 | £577.20 | 10* |
| 2024 revised | £33,180 | £632.40 | £16.27 | £31,809 | £624.60 | 9* |
| 2025 provisional | £40,062* | £761.40 | £19.06 | £37,031* | £732.50 | 11* |
Precision instrument makers and repairers by region
UK: 15,800 (± 4,900), April 2025 to March 2026.
Annual Population Survey (Nomis)
What precision instrument makers and repairers do
Precision instrument makers and repairers make, calibrate, test and repair precision and optical instruments such as barometers, compasses, cameras, calibrators, watches, clocks and chronometers. (ONS SOC 2020, 5224)
Also covers: calibration engineer, horologist, instrument maker, instrument mechanic, instrument technician, optical technician, precision engineer, watchmaker, adjuster (instruments), balance maker, barometer maker, barometer mounter, bench hand, bench worker, binocular framer, calibration technician, calibrator (instruments) and camera finisher (110 titles in the ONS coding index).
- Examines drawings or specifications to determine appropriate methods, materials and sequence of operation
- Marks out and machines aluminium, brass, steel and plastics using machine tools such as grinders, lathes and shapers
- Tests watches and clocks for repair to diagnose faults and removes, repairs or replaces damaged and worn parts
- Tests completed timepiece for accuracy using electronic or other test equipment
- Carries out service tasks such as cleaning, oiling and regulating
- Checks prepared parts for accuracy using measuring equipment, assembles parts and adjusts as necessary using hand and machine tools
Some GCSEs/S grades qualifications may be required. Training is usually via an apprenticeship including work experience and practical and technical training leading to recognised awards.
Related
Metal machining, fitting and instrument making trades (median £39,947) · Metal working production and maintenance fitters and technicians · Air-conditioning and refrigeration installers and repairers · salary percentile · UK average weekly earnings growth · Mean
ASHE Table 14: 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 · coding index · notes · 15 October 2026