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Firearms instructor vs program instructor

The differences between firearms instructors and program 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 program instructor. Additionally, a firearms instructor has an average salary of $52,498, which is higher than the $42,380 average annual salary of a program instructor.

The top three skills for a firearms instructor include defensive tactics, fire training and safety procedures. The most important skills for a program instructor are patients, K-12, and math.

Firearms instructor vs program instructor overview

Firearms InstructorProgram Instructor
Yearly salary$52,498$42,380
Hourly rate$25.24$20.38
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs36,36192,369
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age4646
Years of experience44

Firearms instructor vs program instructor salary

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

Firearms InstructorProgram Instructor
Average salary$52,498$42,380
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $82,000Between $29,000 And $60,000
Highest paying City-Urban Honolulu, HI
Highest paying state-Hawaii
Best paying company-Los Alamos National Laboratory
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between firearms instructor and program instructor education

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

Firearms InstructorProgram Instructor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common majorCriminal JusticePsychology
Most common collegeBaker CollegeUniversity of Pennsylvania

Firearms instructor vs program instructor demographics

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

Firearms InstructorProgram Instructor
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 92.0% Female, 8.0%Male, 39.7% Female, 60.3%
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, 7.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 11.2% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between firearms instructor and program 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

Program instructor example responsibilities.

  • Facilitate, manage and implement each classroom student's IEP
  • Lead DCMA personnel consolidation plan to increase synergies and communication amongst the teams.
  • Manage groups of kids on a daily basis in the field to ensure safety while participating in activities.
  • Assist in achieving and maintaining DoD certification and national accreditation where applicable.
  • Perform general maintenance work including HVAC, electrical, refrigeration and plumbing.
  • Assist high school students with math, computers science and computer programming (Java).
  • Show more

Firearms instructor vs program instructor skills

Common firearms instructor skills
  • Defensive Tactics, 16%
  • Fire Training, 16%
  • Safety Procedures, 11%
  • Training Programs, 8%
  • Live Fire, 7%
  • Ammunition, 6%
Common program instructor skills
  • Patients, 25%
  • K-12, 15%
  • Math, 11%
  • Mathematics, 9%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 8%
  • CPR, 4%

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