Musical Instrument Makers and Repairers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Musical Instrument Makers or Repairers build, repair and restore musical instruments, and modify and tune them to owners' specifications.
Specialisations: Piano Tuner.
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Musical Instrument Maker or Repairer. Although most workers have a certificate III or IV in musical instrument making, maintenance and repair.
Tasks
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Designs and makes musical instruments and instrument parts using specially selected materials and techniques similar to those used in cabinetmaking, metal pipe making, silver smithing and wood carving.
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Tunes and repairs musical instruments.
Characteristics
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Informal or on-the-job
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Practical
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Analytical
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Creative
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Administrative
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Light
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. Employment projections data are only produced for occupations at the broad four digit Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) level. While data are not available for this occupation, projections data are available for the parent occupation, Performing Arts Technicians, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 57% of people employed as Musical Instrument Makers and Repairers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 9 percentage points below the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 45 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.
Industries
Main industries
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Most Musical Instrument Makers and Repairers work in the Other services industry. They are also employed in industries like:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Musical Instrument Makers and Repairers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 31.8 | 31.6 |
VIC | 31.2 | 25.6 |
QLD | 17.2 | 20.0 |
SA | 6.8 | 7.0 |
WA | 8.3 | 10.8 |
TAS | 2.2 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.4 | 1.0 |
ACT | 2.2 | 1.9 |
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Around 66% of Musical Instrument Makers and Repairers live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
Victoria has a large share of employment relative to its population size.
The region with the largest share of workers is Melbourne - Outer East.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
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The median age of Musical Instrument Makers and Repairers is 51 years. This is higher than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 45 to 54 years.
Females make up 9% of the workforce. This is 39 percentage points below the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Musical Instrument Makers and Repairers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 1.3 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 4.7 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 13.8 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 17.6 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 20.3 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 12.7 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 13.3 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 16.4 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 51 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Musical Instrument Maker or Repairer. Although most workers have a certificate III or IV in musical instrument making, maintenance and repair.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Creative Arts and Culture VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Musical Instrument Makers and Repairers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 4.9 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 13.3 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 14.3 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 39.2 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 16.2 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 3.8 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 8.4 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Performing Arts Technicians who are reliable, work well in a team and have a strong work ethic.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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50%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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46%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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45%
RepairingFixing machines or systems.
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45%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
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45%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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43%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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43%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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43%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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43%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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43%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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43%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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43%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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41%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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41%
Equipment maintenanceMaintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
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41%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
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41%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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41%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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37%
Equipment selectionDeciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
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36%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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34%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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61%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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61%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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54%
Fine artsCompose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
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51%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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51%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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44%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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44%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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43%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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43%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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40%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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39%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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38%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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36%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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35%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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32%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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30%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
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28%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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25%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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22%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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17%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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70%
Hearing sensitivityTell the difference between sounds.
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61%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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57%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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55%
Auditory attentionPay attention to a certain sound when there are other distracting sounds.
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55%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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55%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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55%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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54%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
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52%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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50%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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46%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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46%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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46%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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45%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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45%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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43%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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43%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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43%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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43%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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41%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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70%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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69%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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65%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
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63%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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63%
Working with the publicGreeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.
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62%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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62%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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60%
Working with mechanical equipmentServicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.
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59%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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57%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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55%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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53%
Managing payments and ordersMonitoring and controlling resources and the spending of money.
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52%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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52%
Providing office supportDoing day-to-day office work such as filing and processing paperwork.
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52%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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52%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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51%
Influencing peopleConvincing people to buy something or to change their minds or actions.
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50%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
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48%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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38%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
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100%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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67%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
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57%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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57%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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24%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
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19%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
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62%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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62%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
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45%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
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38%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
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38%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
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38%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
Demands
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99%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
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98%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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95%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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94%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
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94%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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93%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
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89%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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87%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
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86%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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85%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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83%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
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80%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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77%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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75%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
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74%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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74%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
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74%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
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73%
Repeating same tasksRepeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.
-
70%
Spend time sittingSpend time sitting at work.
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68%
Dangerous equipmentWork near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 49-9063.00 - Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.