How to Become a Gunsmith in Alaska (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Alaska employs about 80 gunsmiths earning a median $113,670 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025; proxy category “Precision Instrument and Equipment Repairers, All Other”). Training as a Gunsmith here means completing a gunsmithing course or on-the-job training; most states do not license the occupation. An FFL is a federal dealer license, not a worker license.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Alaska employs approximately 80 workers in the related “Precision Instrument and Equipment Repairers, All Other” category (SOC 49-9069), with a median annual wage of $113,670 1. The state’s concentration of jobs in this category is 4.23x the national average, indicating strong regional demand. Nationally, employment in this category is projected to grow 2.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 1,000 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Gunsmith in Alaska, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

A note on salary data: The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not track gunsmith salaries as a separate category. The wage figures on this page are based on the closest matching BLS classification: Precision Instrument and Equipment Repairers, All Other (SOC 49-9069). Actual gunsmith earnings may vary.

At a Glance

  • Training paths: gunsmithing course or on-the-job training (find programs)
  • Typical timeline: a gunsmithing course or on-the-job training; most states do not license the occupation. An FFL is a federal dealer license, not a worker license
  • Median wage (Alaska): $113,670 per year (based on related “Precision Instrument and Equipment Repairers, All Other” category) 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a Gunsmith in Alaska

How to become a Gunsmith in Alaska? Complete a gunsmithing course or on-the-job training; most states do not license the occupation. An FFL is a federal dealer license, not a worker license. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.

How long does it take? Most people finish a gunsmithing course or on-the-job training; most states do not license the occupation. An FFL is a federal dealer license, not a worker license. Confirm current hour totals with the program and employer.

Do I need a license in Alaska? Licensing varies. See the licensing section below for the Alaska path.

What do gunsmiths earn in Alaska? The BLS does not track gunsmith wages separately. Based on the related “Precision Instrument and Equipment Repairers, All Other” category, the median annual wage in Alaska is $113,670, with entry-level wages around $93,100 and experienced workers earning $130,960 or more 1.

How to Become a Gunsmith in Alaska

  1. Get gunsmithing training. Complete a gunsmithing course or paid on-the-job training. This is not a registered apprenticeship in most shops.
  2. An FFL is not a worker license. A Federal Firearms License is a dealer or manufacturer license. Employees of a licensed shop typically do not need their own FFL. Do not treat an FFL as a requirement to be hired as a gunsmith.
  3. Optional association credentials. Industry credentials can help hiring. They are not a state gunsmith license.
  4. Most states do not license this occupation. Do not apply to a licensing board for a gunsmith credential that does not exist. Confirm employer rules.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.

Gunsmith License Requirements in Alaska

Most states do not license gunsmiths. An FFL is a federal dealer license, not a worker license, and is not required to be employed as a gunsmith at a licensed shop.

Typical path

  1. Complete a course or OJT.

  2. Do not treat an FFL as a worker license.

  3. Confirm employer rules, not a state gunsmith board.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.

Gunsmith Wages by Metro Area in Alaska

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for gunsmiths in Alaska? Alaska employs approximately 80 workers in the related “Precision Instrument and Equipment Repairers, All Other” category 1. Nationally, employment in this category is projected to grow 2.0% from 2024 to 2034 2.

What training programs are available in Alaska? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Alaska.

How much do gunsmiths earn in Alaska compared to the national average? The median annual wage for gunsmiths in Alaska is $113,670 (based on the related “Precision Instrument and Equipment Repairers, All Other” category), which is $46,590 above the national median of $67,080 according to BLS data 1.

In Alaska

Related trades & nearby areas

Explore More Trades in Alaska

Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)