Timing device assemblers and adjusters
Perform precision assembling or adjusting, within narrow tolerances, of timing devices such as digital clocks or timing devices with electrical or electronic components.
Timing device assemblers and adjusters perform precision assembling or adjusting, within narrow tolerances, of timing devices such as digital clocks or timing devices with electrical or electronic components. The role reports a median annual salary of $40,790 in the US and is projected to decline by 18% over the next decade. Entry typically requires a High school diploma or equivalent, and shows moderate AI exposure (0.49 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include Repairing, Quality Control Analysis, Troubleshooting, Operations Monitoring, Critical Thinking.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £28,620 a year for Assemblers (electrical and electronic products) (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
Middle half of full-time jobs: £25,997 to £34,441 a year
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 8141). ONS rates this estimate precise. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Plant and machine operators and assemblers” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only Timing device assemblers and adjusters, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 8. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Mechanical
- Mathematics
- Production and Processing
- Engineering and Technology
- Education and Training
- Customer and Personal Service
- Computers and Electronics
- Administration and Management
What you'd actually do
- Assemble and install components of timepieces to complete mechanisms, using watchmakers' tools and loupes.
- Observe operation of timepiece parts and subassemblies to determine accuracy of movement, and to diagnose causes of defects.
- Test operation and fit of timepiece parts and subassemblies, using electronic testing equipment, tweezers, watchmakers' tools, and loupes.
- Replace specified parts to repair malfunctioning timepieces, using watchmakers' tools, loupes, and holding fixtures.
- Disassemble timepieces such as watches, clocks, and chronometers so that repairs can be made.
- Clean and lubricate timepiece parts and assemblies, using solvents, buff sticks, and oil.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Timing device assemblers and adjusters do?
Perform precision assembling or adjusting, within narrow tolerances, of timing devices such as digital clocks or timing devices with electrical or electronic components.
How much does Timing device assemblers and adjusters earn?
The median annual salary for Timing device assemblers and adjusters in the US is $40,790.
What is the job outlook for Timing device assemblers and adjusters?
The role is projected to decline by 18% over the next decade. Current US employment is approximately 200 workers.
How do I become timing device assemblers and adjusters?
The typical entry education is a High school diploma or equivalent. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Timing device assemblers and adjusters need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Repairing, Quality Control Analysis, Troubleshooting, Operations Monitoring, Critical Thinking, Active Listening. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Timing device assemblers and adjusters?
Our AI-durability model gives Timing device assemblers and adjusters a score of 0.49 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Timing device assemblers and adjusters has low barrier to entry — generally accessible — you can enter with basic credentials and on-the-job learning.