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Optical instrument repairer

Also called telescope repairer, binocular repairer, binoculars repairer

Optical instrument repairers repair optical instruments, such as microscopes, telescopes, camera optics, and compasses. They test the instruments to ensure they function properly. In a military context they also read blueprints to be able to repair the instruments.

Will there be jobs?Limited prospects9 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Handicraft and printing workersWhat does it pay?About averageFrom about €1,100 (Bulgaria) to €4,900 (Denmark) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Handicraft and printing workersWhat do I need to study?Upper secondary or vocational6 in 10 finished upper secondary or vocational training.Handicraft and printing workersWill AI change it?Very littleLevel 1 of 6. AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.Precision-instrument makers and repairers · ILO

What you'd do

Precision-instrument makers and repairers · ILO
  • Repairing, cleaning and adjusting mechanisms of timing instruments such as watches and clocks
  • Adjusting timing regulators, using calipers, watch-rate recorders and tweezers
  • Cleaning, rinsing and drying timepiece parts, using solutions and ultrasonic or mechanical watch-cleaning machines
  • Testing timepiece accuracy and performance, using meters and other electronic instruments
  • Testing accuracy of meters, gauges, indicators or other recording or controlling instruments to locate defective components and for conformance to standards
  • Calibrating instruments or scales, using hand tools and computer or electronic devices
  • Inspecting components, connections and drive mechanisms to detect defects
  • Assembling instruments and devices such as barometers, control valves, gyroscopes, hygrometers, speedometers, tachometers and thermostats
  • Testing, calibrating and adjusting electronic, mercurial, aneroid and other types of meteorological instruments for compliance with printed specifications and schematic diagrams, using voltmeters, oscilloscopes, tube testers, and other test instruments
  • Adjusting and repairing masts, supporting structures, clearance lights, control panels, control cabling and wiring, and other electrical and mechanical devices
  • Repairing and setting optical instruments such as microscopes, telescopes, theodolites and sextants
  • Checking whether assembled units conform to specifications and ensuring stipulated performance and sensitivity by standard tests
Cut glassManipulate glassSmooth glass surfaceUse precision toolsReplace defect components+ 13 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Indoors
  • A mix of sitting and standing
  • Some contact with people
  • Some freedom to decide
  • Usually 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines every day
  • Very repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the similar US job "Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians"

Will there be jobs?

Limited prospects

Fewer jobs than in most work will need filling by 2035.

People working as handicraft and printing workers in the EU
1.02m893k739k 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
204,000 replacing leavers 126,000 jobs disappear
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Handicraft and printing workers9
All jobs29
Right now
4 of 27 countries report a shortage of precision-instrument makers and repairers, 3 a surplus.
Precision-instrument makers and repairers · EURES

What does it pay?

About average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €1,100 a month (Bulgaria) to €4,900 (Denmark), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among craft and related trades workers in the EU, women earn 26% less per hour than men. Craft and related trades workers · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Upper secondary or vocational

Upper secondary or vocational training in physics is the usual route.

Highest qualification of handicraft and printing workers (EU, 2025)
Degree 17%Vocational 48%General secondary 11%Basic schooling 24%
Fields that teach it
Physics · Materials (glass, paper, plastic and wood)
Vocational route, EU
Fewer than 1 in 10 trainees in this field

Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Very little

AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.21 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 12 tasks
Testing timepiece accuracy and performance, using meters and other electronic instruments0.32
Testing accuracy of meters, gauges, indicators or other recording or controlling instruments to locate defective components and for conformance to standards0.30
Testing, calibrating and adjusting electronic, mercurial, aneroid and other types of meteorological instruments for compliance with printed specifications and schematic diagrams, using voltmeters, oscilloscopes, tube testers, and other test instruments0.30
Checking whether assembled units conform to specifications and ensuring stipulated performance and sensitivity by standard tests0.28
Calibrating instruments or scales, using hand tools and computer or electronic devices0.26
Adjusting timing regulators, using calipers, watch-rate recorders and tweezers0.20
Inspecting components, connections and drive mechanisms to detect defects0.20
Assembling instruments and devices such as barometers, control valves, gyroscopes, hygrometers, speedometers, tachometers and thermostats0.14
Repairing, cleaning and adjusting mechanisms of timing instruments such as watches and clocks0.14
Repairing and setting optical instruments such as microscopes, telescopes, theodolites and sextants0.14
Adjusting and repairing masts, supporting structures, clearance lights, control panels, control cabling and wiring, and other electrical and mechanical devices0.14
Cleaning, rinsing and drying timepiece parts, using solutions and ultrasonic or mechanical watch-cleaning machines0.13

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for precision-instrument makers and repairers. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).