Salary for a Bow Technician
Bow technicians, also known as bow rehairers and restorers, are musical instrument technicians who specialize in the maintenance and restoration of bows used to play violin, viola, cello, contrabass and other concert stringed instruments. A musician’s bow must be in good condition for optimal playing; bow technicians understand this and know how to adjust a working bow and repair a broken one to ensure playability. Salaries for this career are comparable with other musical instrument technicians.
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Salary Range
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Salaries for bow technicians vary depending on experience. Bow technicians with a strong reputation who work with professional musicians generally make more than those who are just starting out. CareersInMusic.com estimates the salary range for bow technicians between $26,000 and over $80,000 a year. Bow technicians typically charge $45 to $200 or more for each bow they rehair. For restoration and repair work, they usually charge between $50 and $300, depending on the severity of the damage and materials needed. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for musical instrument repairers and tuners as of May 2008 was $33,080 a year.
Job Requirements
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Bow technicians learn most of their skills on the job, though workshops and seminars, and through apprenticeships with master technicians. Essential skills include manual dexterity, attention to detail and patience, according to CareerInMusic.com. Strong customer service, auditory attention, knowledge of musical instruments and dependability are also important job skills, according to MyMajors.com.
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Career Outlook
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Due to a shortage of qualified bow technicians, those who have the skills and determination can expect to do well in this career. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job prospects as of this article's publication for musical instrument repairers and tuners are “excellent.” Big cities that have symphony orchestras, major music studios and chamber music groups offer the greatest job opportunities. Bow technicians may also find work with high schools and other educational institutions that offer music programs.
Professional Associations
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Many professional associations are available for bow technicians who want to network and widen their client base. The American Federation of Musicians, Acoustical Society of America and the National Council of Acoustical Consultants are recommended options.
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References
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