Gunsmith salary

Turkey222 · March 4, 2007, 09:45 AM

The title says it all, can anyone give me an idea what a gunsmiths salary is?

thanks

Abstract · March 4, 2007, 11:02 AM

There's no way to know what a gunsmith's salary is.

George R · March 4, 2007, 12:40 PM

Here's a hint....What's the difference between a gunsmith and a pizza? Answer: A pizza can feed a family of four.

Dfariswheel · March 4, 2007, 09:33 PM

The hard truth is, the "average" self employed gunsmith is making about minimum wage.
No joke!

Figuring that most seldom work only 8 hours a day, by the time you figure in the time to do all the paper work, talking to customers, and ordering parts and supplies, most are probably logging 12 to 14 hour days.
That part of the business doesn't pay a dime, so you're spending those hours as unpaid.

The gunsmiths that make good money are:
Owners of big gunsmithing companies (i.e. Bill Wilson).

Gunsmith's who WORK for big companies and get salary plus benefits.

Gunsmiths with such skills, talent and drive that they are literally world-class famous craftsmen, who get written up in the gun magazines, and whom people will wait years to get work from.

srtrax · March 5, 2007, 02:24 PM

I was wandering what was missing in the smithing i do, THANKS, i won't spend any more time looking for it!

Scorch · March 5, 2007, 06:02 PM

I don't know how much gunsmiths get paid nowadays, but from 1983 until 1986, I worked as a gunsmith. In 1985, I took home the magnificent sum of $11,000 (give or take) for about 2,600 hours of work, and I was actually doing pretty well for a gunsmith. Other smiths that worked in our shop made less than I did, some a lot less. To sum it up, if I had been working at McDonalds, I would have made more money and had free meals on top of it.

Dave Haven · March 5, 2007, 08:14 PM

I worked for my Dad as a gunsmith/sales clerk from the mid '70's until November, '79 when I started my current job.
Dad paid me 50% commission on gunsmithing labor charges and 10% commission on sales. As I recall, I averaged around $2.00/hour.
I started my current job as a machinist at $4.00/hour.
I still do my own gunsmithing on my own time, and I occasionally help my Dad with gunsmithing jobs in his shop.
I'm glad I have a full-time job with a regular paycheck...

Slopemeno · March 5, 2007, 09:28 PM

My experience mirrors Scorch's almost exactly. I doubled what I made in my next job without even trying hard. I still miss the 'smithing though.

March 4, 2007, 09:45 AM	#1
Turkey222 Member Join Date: June 14, 2006 Posts: 35	Gunsmith salary The title says it all, can anyone give me an idea what a gunsmiths salary is? thanks

March 4, 2007, 11:02 AM	#2
Abstract Junior member Join Date: December 25, 2006 Posts: 443	There's no way to know what a gunsmith's salary is. Last edited by Abstract; March 4, 2007 at 11:59 AM.

March 4, 2007, 12:40 PM	#3
George R Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2004 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 151	Gunsmith's Salary Here's a hint....What's the difference between a gunsmith and a pizza? Answer: A pizza can feed a family of four. __________________ http://www.gunblue.homestead.com

March 4, 2007, 09:33 PM	#4
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	The hard truth is, the "average" self employed gunsmith is making about minimum wage. No joke! Figuring that most seldom work only 8 hours a day, by the time you figure in the time to do all the paper work, talking to customers, and ordering parts and supplies, most are probably logging 12 to 14 hour days. That part of the business doesn't pay a dime, so you're spending those hours as unpaid. The gunsmiths that make good money are: Owners of big gunsmithing companies (i.e. Bill Wilson). Gunsmith's who WORK for big companies and get salary plus benefits. Gunsmiths with such skills, talent and drive that they are literally world-class famous craftsmen, who get written up in the gun magazines, and whom people will wait years to get work from. Last edited by Dfariswheel; March 5, 2007 at 02:46 PM.

March 5, 2007, 02:24 PM	#5
srtrax Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2007 Location: GREEN COUNTRY,OKLAHOMA Posts: 517	Salary I was wandering what was missing in the smithing i do, THANKS, i won't spend any more time looking for it!

March 5, 2007, 06:02 PM	#6
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	I don't know how much gunsmiths get paid nowadays, but from 1983 until 1986, I worked as a gunsmith. In 1985, I took home the magnificent sum of $11,000 (give or take) for about 2,600 hours of work, and I was actually doing pretty well for a gunsmith. Other smiths that worked in our shop made less than I did, some a lot less. To sum it up, if I had been working at McDonalds, I would have made more money and had free meals on top of it. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

March 5, 2007, 08:14 PM	#7
Dave Haven Senior Member Join Date: February 1, 2000 Location: near Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 790	I worked for my Dad as a gunsmith/sales clerk from the mid '70's until November, '79 when I started my current job. Dad paid me 50% commission on gunsmithing labor charges and 10% commission on sales. As I recall, I averaged around $2.00/hour. I started my current job as a machinist at $4.00/hour. I still do my own gunsmithing on my own time, and I occasionally help my Dad with gunsmithing jobs in his shop. I'm glad I have a full-time job with a regular paycheck...

March 5, 2007, 09:28 PM	#8
Slopemeno Senior Member Join Date: January 19, 2007 Posts: 2,663	My experience mirrors Scorch's almost exactly. I doubled what I made in my next job without even trying hard. I still miss the 'smithing though.