As of May 11, 2024, the average hourly pay for a Gunsmith in California is $25.78 an hour. While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $31.32 and as low as $14.47, the majority of Gunsmith salaries currently range between $18.99 (25th percentile) to $29.18 (75th percentile) in California.

The ATF requires all gunsmiths to record all repairs, noting the serial number, type of firearm, caliber or gauge, and full particulars of the owner (e.g., address, phone number), with an accepted form of identification to be presented and recorded.

Many aspiring gunsmiths enroll in formal training programs offered by community colleges or trade schools. These formal programs typically lead to a diploma or an associate's degree in gunsmithing.

Gunsmiths not only have the knowledge to make firearms from scratch - they can customize existing weapons and repair a variety of weaponry. Positions for gunsmiths are usually found in both full- and part-time capacities, depending on the level of knowledge and experience that a potential candidate embodies.