Post job

Gunsmith vs machinist

The differences between gunsmiths and machinists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a gunsmith has an average salary of $44,684, which is higher than the $42,147 average annual salary of a machinist.

The top three skills for a gunsmith include customer service, hand tools and rifles. The most important skills for a machinist are grinders, cnc machines, and micrometers.

Gunsmith vs machinist overview

GunsmithMachinist
Yearly salary$44,684$42,147
Hourly rate$21.48$20.26
Growth rate-5%1%
Number of jobs11,58915,448
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 37%High School Diploma, 40%
Average age4348
Years of experience-4

Gunsmith vs machinist salary

Gunsmiths and machinists have different pay scales, as shown below.

GunsmithMachinist
Average salary$44,684$42,147
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $72,000Between $29,000 And $59,000
Highest paying City-Eugene, OR
Highest paying state-Massachusetts
Best paying company-Westinghouse Appliances Australia
Best paying industry-Automotive

Differences between gunsmith and machinist education

There are a few differences between a gunsmith and a machinist in terms of educational background:

GunsmithMachinist
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 37%High School Diploma, 40%
Most common majorCriminal JusticePrecision Metal Working
Most common college--

Gunsmith vs machinist demographics

Here are the differences between gunsmiths' and machinists' demographics:

GunsmithMachinist
Average age4348
Gender ratioMale, 97.8% Female, 2.2%Male, 92.6% Female, 7.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 15.6% Asian, 3.1% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 6.7% White, 70.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage4%3%

Differences between gunsmith and machinist duties and responsibilities

Gunsmith example responsibilities.

  • Conduct ammunition inventory and lead maintenance team during quarterly magazine sprinkler inspections and certifications.
  • Assist customers in purchasing parts and ammunition.
  • Light use of electronics and PC equipment.
  • Install choke device on shotguns to control shoot pattern.
  • Complete all cleaning, stocking and organizing task in assign sales area.
  • Clean, organize, display, sell firearms, ammunition, and accessories.
  • Show more

Machinist example responsibilities.

  • Manage output according to company quality standards and corresponding ISO certification.
  • Measure parts using micrometers, calipers, bore gauges, depth gauges, height gauges and CMM programs.
  • Utilize CNC lathes, mills, grinders, EDM s and other equipment to manufacture implants and/or instruments.
  • Operate manual machines such as engine lathe, boring mill, vertical and horizontal milling machines, grinders and honing machines.
  • Emphasize the ability to use dial calipers and micrometers to provide consistent repeatable measurements.
  • Operate manual/CNC lathes and used industry standard measuring equipment including manual/digital calipers, manual/digital micrometers and optical comparators
  • Show more

Gunsmith vs machinist skills

Common gunsmith skills
  • Customer Service, 16%
  • Hand Tools, 10%
  • Rifles, 8%
  • Jigs, 6%
  • Law Enforcement, 6%
  • CNC, 5%
Common machinist skills
  • Grinders, 9%
  • CNC Machines, 9%
  • Micrometers, 8%
  • Calipers, 8%
  • Machine Shop, 6%
  • CNC Lathes, 6%

Browse installation, maintenance and repair jobs