Gunsmith salary
- Thread starter Turkey222
- Start date
Dfariswheel
New member
The hard truth is, the "average" self employed gunsmith is making about minimum wage.
No joke!
Figuring that most seldom work only 8 hours a day, by the time you figure in the time to do all the paper work, talking to customers, and ordering parts and supplies, most are probably logging 12 to 14 hour days.
That part of the business doesn't pay a dime, so you're spending those hours as unpaid.
The gunsmiths that make good money are:
Owners of big gunsmithing companies (i.e. Bill Wilson).
Gunsmith's who WORK for big companies and get salary plus benefits.
Gunsmiths with such skills, talent and drive that they are literally world-class famous craftsmen, who get written up in the gun magazines, and whom people will wait years to get work from.
No joke!
Figuring that most seldom work only 8 hours a day, by the time you figure in the time to do all the paper work, talking to customers, and ordering parts and supplies, most are probably logging 12 to 14 hour days.
That part of the business doesn't pay a dime, so you're spending those hours as unpaid.
The gunsmiths that make good money are:
Owners of big gunsmithing companies (i.e. Bill Wilson).
Gunsmith's who WORK for big companies and get salary plus benefits.
Gunsmiths with such skills, talent and drive that they are literally world-class famous craftsmen, who get written up in the gun magazines, and whom people will wait years to get work from.
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I don't know how much gunsmiths get paid nowadays, but from 1983 until 1986, I worked as a gunsmith. In 1985, I took home the magnificent sum of $11,000 (give or take) for about 2,600 hours of work, and I was actually doing pretty well for a gunsmith. Other smiths that worked in our shop made less than I did, some a lot less. To sum it up, if I had been working at McDonalds, I would have made more money and had free meals on top of it.
Dave Haven
New member
I worked for my Dad as a gunsmith/sales clerk from the mid '70's until November, '79 when I started my current job.
Dad paid me 50% commission on gunsmithing labor charges and 10% commission on sales. As I recall, I averaged around $2.00/hour.
I started my current job as a machinist at $4.00/hour.
I still do my own gunsmithing on my own time, and I occasionally help my Dad with gunsmithing jobs in his shop.
I'm glad I have a full-time job with a regular paycheck...
Dad paid me 50% commission on gunsmithing labor charges and 10% commission on sales. As I recall, I averaged around $2.00/hour.
I started my current job as a machinist at $4.00/hour.
I still do my own gunsmithing on my own time, and I occasionally help my Dad with gunsmithing jobs in his shop.
I'm glad I have a full-time job with a regular paycheck...