How to Become a Gunsmith in New Hampshire (2026)
U.S. employment of gunsmiths is projected to change 2.0% from 2024 to 2034 (BLS Employment Projections). 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.
Sponsored - request program info
Key Facts
- Projected growth: 2.0% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)
Compare Gunsmith Schools in New Hampshire
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pennsylvania Gunsmith School | 59.1 | Contact school for pricing | $46,772 | 88% | — | 466 mi |
| 2 | Montgomery Community College | 52.6 | $2,538 in-state / $8,682 out-of-state | $41,824 | 84% | Yes* | 694 mi |
| 3 | Piedmont Community College | 52.4 | $2,556 in-state / $8,700 out-of-state | $37,251 | 20% | Yes* | 605 mi |
| 4 | Gaston College | 51.1 | $3,186 in-state / $9,330 out-of-state | Not reported | 63% | Yes* | 743 mi |
| 5 | Lenoir Community College | 49.9 | $2,578 in-state / $8,722 out-of-state | $48,050 | 36% | Yes* | 633 mi |
| 6 | Fayetteville Technical Community College | 45.5 | $2,628 in-state / $8,772 out-of-state | $48,138 | 24% | Yes* | 681 mi |
Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.
New Hampshire offers career opportunities for gunsmiths. This page covers how to become a Gunsmith in New Hampshire, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
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
Quick Answers About How to Become a Gunsmith in New Hampshire
How to become a Gunsmith in New Hampshire? 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 New Hampshire? Licensing varies. See the licensing section below for the New Hampshire path.
How to Become a Gunsmith in New Hampshire
- Get gunsmithing training. Complete a gunsmithing course or paid on-the-job training. This is not a registered apprenticeship in most shops.
- 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.
- Optional association credentials. Industry credentials can help hiring. They are not a state gunsmith license.
- 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 New Hampshire
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
Complete a course or OJT.
Do not treat an FFL as a worker license.
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 New Hampshire
Gunsmith Wages by Metro Area in New Hampshire
Note: The BLS does not track gunsmith wages separately. The data below is based on the closest matching category: Precision Instrument and Equipment Repairers, All Other (SOC 49-9069).
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), precision instrument and equipment repairers, all other wages in New Hampshire vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton | N/A | $59,760 | $68,950 | $56,000 | $91,620 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for gunsmiths in New Hampshire? Nationally, employment in this category is projected to grow 2.0% from 2024 to 2034 1.
What training programs are available in New Hampshire? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in New Hampshire.
Related guides
In New Hampshire
Top local programs
Related trades & nearby areas
- Best Carpenter Schools in New Hampshire (2026)
- Best Electrician Schools in New Hampshire
- Best HVAC Schools in New Hampshire (2026)
- Best Plumber Schools in New Hampshire
- Best Plumbing Schools in New Hampshire (2026)
- Best Welder Schools in New Hampshire
Explore More Trades in New Hampshire
- Electrician in New Hampshire
- Plumber in New Hampshire
- HVAC Technician in New Hampshire
- Welder in New Hampshire
- Carpenter in New Hampshire
- Solar Installation Technician in New Hampshire
- Auto Mechanic in New Hampshire
- CNC Machinist in New Hampshire
- Certified Nursing Assistant in New Hampshire
- Medical Assistant in New Hampshire
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
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.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / 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) |