How Much Does a Watchmaker Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$67,230
Watchmakers in the U.S. earn a median of $67,230 a year, or $32.32 an hour. Half of watchmakers earn more than $67,230 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $109,990.
Pay percentiles for watchmakers
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $16.46 | $34,240 |
| 25th | $22.91 | $47,650 |
| 50th (median) | $32.32 | $67,230 |
| 75th | $43.99 | $91,490 |
| 90th | $52.88 | $109,990 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Watch and Clock Repairers (SOC 49-9064). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for watchmakers
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $110,050 | $52.91 | +64% |
| New York | $95,060 | $45.70 | +41% |
| Florida | $81,850 | $39.35 | +22% |
| Virginia | $80,410 | $38.66 | +20% |
| Maryland | $62,440 | $30.02 | −7% |
| Texas | $59,950 | $28.82 | −11% |
| Pennsylvania | $59,880 | $28.79 | −11% |
| Colorado | $49,990 | $24.03 | −26% |
| United States | $67,230 | $32.32 | — |
Top 8 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many watchmakers are there?
BLS counts about 1,310 watchmakers employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Watch and Clock Repairers”. The most jobs are in Colorado (60).
The mean (average) annual wage is $70,840, higher than the median of $67,230.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $5,603
- Biweekly
- $2,586
- Weekly
- $1,293
- Daily (8 hours)
- $259
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do watchmakers make an hour?
The median hourly wage for watchmakers is $32.32. The middle 50% earn between $22.91 and $43.99 an hour.
Which state pays watchmakers the most?
California has the highest median wage for watchmakers at $110,050, +64% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for watchmakers?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of watchmakers earn less than $34,240 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.