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The firearms industry remains significant in the U.S. economy, with firearms retailers outnumbering Starbucks locations by more than four to one. This statistic highlights the scale of the gun business, which continues to thrive despite ongoing debates about gun control and regulation.
In the wake of various societal discussions surrounding firearms, it’s crucial to focus on the employment landscape within this sector. This article explores which states offer the most opportunities in the gun industry, analyzing labor market trends in 2026.
According to our latest data, here are the ten best states for the gun industry:
Overall, the data indicates that heading south is advantageous for those seeking one of the 141,500 jobs directly tied to gun manufacturing, distribution, and sales. Additionally, there are over 159,623 jobs in ancillary industries that support this sector.
With an average compensation package of $50,423 in wages and benefits, these roles significantly contribute to local economies. So, where are these opportunities concentrated?
Our methodology for determining these rankings is outlined below, along with a complete chart of results.
Ranking Methodology for Gun Industry-Friendly States
Gun manufacturing involves various complexities due to its controversial nature. Therefore, we carefully evaluated multiple factors to arrive at our rankings.
1. Employment Opportunities in Gun Manufacturing. The core focus of our research is the total number of jobs available in each state. We analyzed data on the absolute number of gun industry jobs and per capita gun employment, drawing from the National Shooting Sports Foundation and the number of licensed manufacturers reported by the ATF.
2. Regulatory Environment for Manufacturers. We assessed how states support gun manufacturers by examining relevant laws and regulations, including the proportion of federal excise taxes related to gun manufacturing and sales.
3. Gun Culture in Each State. A state’s overall gun culture often correlates with a favorable production environment. We evaluated metrics such as the percentage of households with firearms and the total number of guns statewide, alongside regulations impacting gun ownership.
4. Additional Influencing Factors. Our analysis also incorporated variables such as whether states mandate employee breaks, adherence to right-to-work laws, and average employee wages.
Key Takeaways
Gun manufacturers are drawn to states that generally support gun rights, even when production laws are not overly restrictive. Additionally, states with a pro-gun constituency often find it easier to accommodate the needs of gun companies compared to those with more opposition.
It’s important to note that manufacturers tend to favor locations with fewer employee rights regulations, establishing a stronger presence in right-to-work states that lack stringent break laws. Interestingly, while companies advocate for environments that favor their products, workers in non-right-to-work states reported an average wage of $49,062, compared to $35,590 in right-to-work states, suggesting that financial considerations play a significant role in this industry.
Top States Benefiting from the Gun-Making Industry
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
