Best institutions to study Watchmaking and Jewelrymaking
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to make repairs, and maintain timepieces, time-measuring devices, and jewelry items.
5 U.S. institutions graduated 78 Watchmaking and Jewelrymaking students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 47.0408, a specialization of Precision Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians (CIP 47.04), and leads most directly to the Watch and Clock Repairers occupation (BLS SOC 49-9064).
About Watchmaking and Jewelrymaking programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to make repairs, and maintain timepieces, time-measuring devices, and jewelry items. Includes instruction in mechanical timekeeping systems, digital timekeeping systems, timesetting, casting, engraving, polishing, stonesetting, soldering, fine microscopic work, equipment and tool maintenance, redesign and restyling techniques, and customer relations.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Watchmaking and Jewelrymaking program, part of Precision Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians, prepares individuals to repair and maintain timepieces and jewelry items. This program is ideal for those who have a passion for mechanics and craftsmanship, providing the technical knowledge and skills necessary for this specialized field.
Students will gain expertise in mechanical and digital timekeeping systems, casting, engraving, polishing, stonesetting, and soldering. Coursework also covers customer relations and equipment maintenance, ensuring graduates are well-equipped for various tasks in watchmaking and jewelrymaking.
Credentials awarded
What Watchmaking and Jewelrymaking graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years30 graduates / yr · 3 institutions39%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year29 graduates / yr · 3 institutions37%
- Associate's degree10 graduates / yr · 2 institutions13%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years9 graduates / yr · 2 institutions12%
Graduates over time
Watchmaking and Jewelrymaking completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 158 |
| 2013 | 94 |
| 2014 | 116 |
| 2015 | 132 |
| 2016 | 160 |
| 2017 | 104 |
| 2018 | 126 |
| 2019 | 108 |
| 2020 | 92 |
| 2021 | 100 |
| 2022 | 74 |
| 2023 | 103 |
| 2024 | 81 |
| 2025 | 78 |
Top 5 institutions for Watchmaking and Jewelrymaking, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paris Junior College Paris, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 39 | 38% | — | — |
| 2 | Pinellas Technical College - St. Petersburg Saint Petersburg, FLPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 20 | 60% | — | — |
| 3 | Gem City College Quincy, ILPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 9 | 87% | $13,910 | — |
| 4 | North Seattle College Seattle, WAPublicAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic yearsAssociate's | 7 | 33% | — | — |
| 5 | North Bennet Street School Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 3 | 90% | $35,199 | $23,140 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Precision Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians field (CIP 47.04) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 5 states
Where Watchmaking and Jewelrymaking graduates come from. Each state links to all Precision Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 1 | 39 | Paris Junior College39 / yr |
| Florida | 1 | 20 | Pinellas Technical College - St. Petersburg20 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 9 | Gem City College9 / yr |
| Washington | 1 | 7 | North Seattle College7 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 3 | North Bennet Street School3 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 49-9064, Watch and Clock Repairers, and its national outlook.
Graduates can pursue careers as Watch and Clock Repairers, Jewelers, or Timing Device Assemblers. The job outlook indicates a decline of 1.1% with about 100 annual openings. The median wage for these occupations is approximately $60,690, typically requiring a high school diploma or equivalent.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 47.0408
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Watch and Clock Repairersprimary SOC 49-9064 | $67,230 | -1.1% Decline | ~100 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers SOC 51-9071 | $52,540 | -5.5% Decline | ~4,000 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters SOC 51-2061 | $62,620 | -17.5% Decline | ~0 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Watchmaking and Jewelrymaking programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Clean, rinse, and dry timepiece parts, using solutions and ultrasonic or mechanical watch-cleaning machines.
- Adjust timing regulators, using truing calipers, watch-rate recorders, and tweezers.
- Reassemble timepieces, replacing glass faces and batteries, before returning them to customers.
- Disassemble timepieces and inspect them for defective, worn, misaligned, or rusty parts, using loupes.
- Oil moving parts of timepieces.
- Estimate repair costs and timepiece values.
Tools and technology used
Other Precision Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians specializations
The 5 other 6-digit CIP codes under Precision Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians (CIP 47.04).
- Gunsmithing/CIP 47.0402
Gunsmith 3,371 graduates / yr17 institutions - Musical Instrument Fabrication and RepairCIP 47.0404partial data201 graduates / yr8 institutions
- Locksmithing and Safe RepairCIP 47.0403limited data43 graduates / yr2 institutions
- Parts and Warehousing Operations and Maintenance Technology/CIP 47.0409
Technician limited data29 graduates / yr1 institutions - Precision Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies/CIP 47.0499
Technicians limited data12 graduates / yr2 institutions
See all Precision Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians programs →
Common questions
What types of skills will I learn?+
You will learn critical thinking, mechanical skills, and customer service, among others.
What careers can I pursue with this program?+
You can work as a Watch and Clock Repairer, Jeweler, or Timing Device Assembler.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is declining at -1.1%, with about 100 openings annually.
What is the typical education required?+
Most positions require a high school diploma or equivalent.
What is the CIP code for Watchmaking and Jewelrymaking?+
Watchmaking and Jewelrymaking is CIP 47.0408 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Precision Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians (CIP 47.04). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to make repairs, and maintain timepieces, time-measuring devices, and jewelry items. Includes instruction in mechanical timekeeping systems, digital timekeeping systems, timesetting, casting, engraving, polishing, stonesetting, soldering, fine microscopic work, equipment and tool maintenance, redesign and restyling techniques, and customer relations.
How many institutions offer Watchmaking and Jewelrymaking programs?+
5 U.S. institutions reported Watchmaking and Jewelrymaking graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 5 states, awarding 78 credentials in the year. That is 2.1% of all Precision Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians graduates.
How much do Watchmaking and Jewelrymaking graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Watch and Clock Repairers occupation, which Watchmaking and Jewelrymaking most directly leads to, pays a median of $67,230 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Precision Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians field report median earnings of $23,140 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card