Post job

Firearms instructor vs flight instructor

The differences between firearms instructors and flight instructors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a firearms instructor and a flight instructor. Additionally, a firearms instructor has an average salary of $52,498, which is higher than the $51,324 average annual salary of a flight instructor.

The top three skills for a firearms instructor include defensive tactics, fire training and safety procedures. The most important skills for a flight instructor are aircraft systems, syllabus, and CFI.

Firearms instructor vs flight instructor overview

Firearms InstructorFlight Instructor
Yearly salary$52,498$51,324
Hourly rate$25.24$24.68
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs36,36125,735
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age4646
Years of experience44

Firearms instructor vs flight instructor salary

Firearms instructors and flight instructors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Firearms InstructorFlight Instructor
Average salary$52,498$51,324
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $82,000Between $32,000 And $80,000
Highest paying City-Atwater, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Cirrus Aircraft
Best paying industry-Manufacturing

Differences between firearms instructor and flight instructor education

There are a few differences between a firearms instructor and a flight instructor in terms of educational background:

Firearms InstructorFlight Instructor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeAviation
Most common collegeBaker CollegeStanford University

Firearms instructor vs flight instructor demographics

Here are the differences between firearms instructors' and flight instructors' demographics:

Firearms InstructorFlight Instructor
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 92.0% Female, 8.0%Male, 90.9% Female, 9.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.2% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.2% Asian, 11.3% White, 66.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 7.0% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 9.9% Asian, 11.4% White, 66.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between firearms instructor and flight instructor duties and responsibilities

Firearms instructor example responsibilities.

  • Instruct new USMC recruits to master skill of weaponry and achieve marksmanship distinction.
  • Teach a reading and math class.
  • Coordinate available firearms classes or slots with multiple agencies under DOD.
  • Compete nationwide with service pistols and service rifles in national shooting matches.
  • Prepare the work and training schedules for a team of five combat arms instructors.
  • Develop PowerPoint presentations and provide hands on, one on one work with students.
  • Show more

Flight instructor example responsibilities.

  • Manage the daily maintenance efforts for 9 P-3C aircraft to meet short and long range flight tasking.
  • Manage and monitor all flight systems and electrical in-flight avionics of various commercial aircraft equipment types.
  • Conduct training using, CBT, stand-up lectures, PowerPoint, Wicat 2D FMS, and FTD trainers.
  • Diagnose, troubleshoot malfunctions and perform extensive maintenance operational checks on all systems.
  • Create and maintain training records for USAF students.
  • Maintain relationships with both local DPE's and FBO managers.
  • Show more

Firearms instructor vs flight instructor skills

Common firearms instructor skills
  • Defensive Tactics, 16%
  • Fire Training, 16%
  • Safety Procedures, 11%
  • Training Programs, 8%
  • Live Fire, 7%
  • Ammunition, 6%
Common flight instructor skills
  • Aircraft Systems, 9%
  • Syllabus, 8%
  • CFI, 8%
  • Flight Operations, 6%
  • Training Programs, 5%
  • PowerPoint, 5%

Browse education, training, and library jobs