How to Become A Gunsmith in Arizona

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Arizona employs approximately 60 workers in the related “Precision Instrument and Equipment Repairers, All Other” category (SOC 49-9069), with a median annual wage of $77,210 1. 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 Arizona, including 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.

Quick Answers About Becoming A Gunsmith in Arizona

How do I become a gunsmith in Arizona? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for gunsmiths in Arizona.

How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

What do gunsmiths earn in Arizona? 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 Arizona is $77,210, with entry-level wages around $51,050 and experienced workers earning $111,050 or more 1.

At a Glance

  • Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
  • Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
  • Median wage (Arizona): $77,210 per year (based on related “Precision Instrument and Equipment Repairers, All Other” category) 1

Gunsmith Wages by Metro Area in Arizona

Explore More Trades in Arizona

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for gunsmiths in Arizona? Arizona employs approximately 60 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 Arizona? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Arizona.

How much do gunsmiths earn in Arizona compared to the national average? The median annual wage for gunsmiths in Arizona is $77,210 (based on the related “Precision Instrument and Equipment Repairers, All Other” category), which is $10,130 above the national median of $67,080 according to BLS data 1.

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)