Best institutions to study Gunsmithing/Gunsmith
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to make, repair, maintain, and modify firearms according to blueprints or customer specifications, using specialized hand tools and machines.
17 U.S. institutions graduated 3,371 Gunsmithing/Gunsmith students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 47.0402, a specialization of Precision Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians (CIP 47.04), and leads most directly to the Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other occupation (BLS SOC 49-9099).
About Gunsmithing/Gunsmith programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to make, repair, maintain, and modify firearms according to blueprints or customer specifications, using specialized hand tools and machines.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Gunsmithing/Gunsmith program is designed for individuals interested in the technical aspects of firearms. This program prepares students to apply their knowledge and skills to make, repair, maintain, and modify firearms according to blueprints or customer specifications, utilizing specialized hand tools and machines. It is ideal for those looking to pursue a career in the mechanics and repair technologies field.
Students in this program will gain core skills in precision systems maintenance and repair, focusing on the techniques and tools necessary for firearms craftsmanship. Coursework typically covers the fundamentals of gunsmithing, including safety protocols, repair techniques, and customization of firearms.
Credentials awarded
What Gunsmithing/Gunsmith graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Associate's degree1,331 graduates / yr · 13 institutions40%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years1,162 graduates / yr · 8 institutions35%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year835 graduates / yr · 9 institutions25%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years40 graduates / yr · 2 institutions1.2%
- Bachelor's degree3 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Gunsmithing/Gunsmith completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 358 |
| 2013 | 412 |
| 2014 | 473 |
| 2015 | 426 |
| 2016 | 1,019 |
| 2017 | 1,121 |
| 2018 | 1,343 |
| 2019 | 1,382 |
| 2020 | 1,008 |
| 2021 | 1,552 |
| 2022 | 1,820 |
| 2023 | 1,954 |
| 2024 | 2,555 |
| 2025 | 3,371 |
Top 17 institutions for Gunsmithing/Gunsmith, 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 | Sonoran Desert Institute Tempe, AZPrivate for-profitAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2,979 | 33% | $21,265 | $49,349 |
| 2 | Montgomery Community College Troy, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 91 | 84% | — | — |
| 3 | Colorado School of Trades Lakewood, COPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 59 | 81% | $22,635 | $39,981 |
| 4 | Pennsylvania Gunsmith School Pittsburgh, PAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 39 | 88% | $30,485 | $33,835 |
| 5 | Yavapai College Prescott, AZPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 34 | 34% | — | — |
| 6 | Black River Technical College Pocahontas, ARPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 29 | 55% | — | — |
| 7 | Pine Technical & Community College Pine City, MNPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 28 | 36% | — | — |
| 8 | Piedmont Technical College Greenwood, SCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 27 | 33% | — | — |
| 9 | Trinidad State College Trinidad, COPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 21 | 55% | — | — |
| 10 | M T Training Center Desoto, TXPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 19 | 83% | $11,290 | — |
| 11 | Fayetteville Technical Community College Fayetteville, NCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 14 | 24% | — | — |
| 12 | Murray State College Tishomingo, OKPublicAssociate'sBachelor's | 9 | 27% | — | — |
| 13 | Marshalltown Community College Marshalltown, IAPublicAssociate's | 7 | 42% | — | — |
| 14 | Lenoir Community College Kinston, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 5 | 36% | — | — |
| 15 | Piedmont Community College Roxboro, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 4 | 20% | — | — |
| 16 | Flathead Valley Community College Kalispell, MTPublicAssociate's | 3 | 29% | — | — |
| 17 | Eastern Wyoming College Torrington, WYPublicAssociate's | 3 | 52% | — | — |
* 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 12 states
Where Gunsmithing/Gunsmith 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 2 | 3,013 | Sonoran Desert Institute2,979 / yr |
| North Carolina | 4 | 114 | Montgomery Community College91 / yr |
| Colorado | 2 | 80 | Colorado School of Trades59 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 39 | Pennsylvania Gunsmith School39 / yr |
| Arkansas | 1 | 29 | Black River Technical College29 / yr |
| Minnesota | 1 | 28 | Pine Technical & Community College28 / yr |
| South Carolina | 1 | 27 | Piedmont Technical College27 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 19 | M T Training Center19 / yr |
| Oklahoma | 1 | 9 | Murray State College9 / yr |
| Iowa | 1 | 7 | Marshalltown Community College7 / yr |
| Montana | 1 | 3 | Flathead Valley Community College3 / yr |
| Wyoming | 1 | 3 | Eastern Wyoming College3 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 49-9099, Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Gunsmithing/Gunsmith program can pursue careers as Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, among other roles. The job outlook for this field is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 2.4% and approximately 21,500 annual openings. The median wage for these positions is $48,640, and a high school diploma or equivalent is typically required.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 47.0402
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Otherprimary SOC 49-9099 | $49,230 | +2.4% About as fast as average | ~21,500 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Related careers
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).
- Musical Instrument Fabrication and RepairCIP 47.0404partial data201 graduates / yr8 institutions
- Watchmaking and JewelrymakingCIP 47.0408partial data78 graduates / yr5 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 degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn an Associate's degree, an award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years, or an award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 17 colleges offering the Gunsmithing/Gunsmith program across the United States.
What is the average number of graduates per year?+
Approximately 3,371 students graduate from this program each year in the U.S.
What is the typical education requirement for careers in this field?+
Most positions in this field require a high school diploma or equivalent.
What is the CIP code for Gunsmithing/Gunsmith?+
Gunsmithing/Gunsmith is CIP 47.0402 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, repair, maintain, and modify firearms according to blueprints or customer specifications, using specialized hand tools and machines.
How many institutions offer Gunsmithing/Gunsmith programs?+
17 U.S. institutions reported Gunsmithing/Gunsmith graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 12 states, awarding 3,371 credentials in the year. That is 90.3% of all Precision Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians graduates.
How much do Gunsmithing/Gunsmith graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other occupation, which Gunsmithing/Gunsmith most directly leads to, pays a median of $49,230 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Precision Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians field report median earnings of $39,981 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. This specialization accounts for nearly all Precision Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians graduates, so its figures match the Precision Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians program page.
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