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Gun Instructor Jobs in Tacoma, WA (NOW HIRING)

Gun Instructor information

See Tacoma, WA salary details

$10

$22

$38

How much do gun instructor jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for gun instructor in Tacoma, WA is $22.76, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.02 and $25.82 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a gun instructor?

Gun Instructors are professionals who teach individuals how to safely handle, operate, and maintain firearms. They provide instruction on firearm laws, responsible ownership, marksmanship, and safety protocols. Gun Instructors often work in shooting ranges, law enforcement agencies, or private organizations, and may help students prepare for licensing exams or concealed carry permits. Their ultimate goal is to ensure that students are competent and confident in handling firearms while prioritizing safety at all times.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a gun instructor?

To thrive as a Gun Instructor, you need extensive firearms knowledge, safety expertise, and relevant certifications such as NRA Instructor credentials or state-specific licenses. Familiarity with firearms training simulators, range safety protocols, and record-keeping systems is also important. Strong communication, patience, and situational awareness help instructors effectively teach diverse students and maintain a safe learning environment. These competencies are crucial for ensuring responsible gun handling, safety compliance, and positive training outcomes.

What are common challenges faced by gun instructors during training sessions?

Gun instructors often encounter challenges such as varying student experience levels, ensuring strict adherence to safety protocols, and adapting teaching methods to different learning styles. Managing group dynamics and maintaining focus during live-fire exercises can also be demanding. Successful instructors are skilled at creating a supportive environment while consistently reinforcing safety and responsible firearm handling, making adaptability and strong communication essential traits for the role.

What is the difference between Gun Instructor vs Firearms Trainer?

AspectGun InstructorFirearms Trainer
CertificationsState-specific firearm safety and instructor certificationsSimilar certifications, often including NRA or state licenses
Work EnvironmentGun ranges, training facilities, outdoor settingsGun ranges, private training, security training environments
Industry UsageLaw enforcement, civilian firearm safety, shooting schoolsMilitary, law enforcement, civilian self-defense, security

Gun Instructors and Firearms Trainers often share similar certifications and work environments, focusing on firearm safety and shooting skills. The main difference lies in their typical employment sectors and specific training focus, with Gun Instructors more commonly associated with civilian and recreational shooting, while Firearms Trainers may work more broadly in security and law enforcement contexts.

How hard is it to become a gun instructor?

Becoming a gun instructor typically requires obtaining relevant certifications, such as a firearms instructor license or certification from a recognized agency, which involves completing training courses and passing exams. Candidates often need prior shooting experience, a clean background check, and sometimes a certain amount of practical teaching hours, making the process moderately challenging depending on individual skills and preparation.

What are popular job titles related to Gun Instructor jobs in Tacoma, WA?

For Gun Instructor jobs in Tacoma, WA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Gun Instructor jobs in Tacoma, WA look for?

The top searched job categories for Gun Instructor jobs in Tacoma, WA are:

Infographic showing various Gun Instructor job openings in Tacoma, WA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 68% Full Time, 28% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,253 per year, or $22.7 per hour.

Heavy Duty Diesel Technician

Pierce Transit, WA

Lakewood, WA • On-site

$93K - $102K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 19 days ago


Job description

Salary : $93,579.20 - $102,107.20 Annually
Location : 3701 96th St. SW, Lakewood, WA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 2790-26A
Department: Maintenance
Division: Fleet
Opening Date: 07/15/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Description
Pay Details
Pay Details
The top wage listed above includes all eligible premiums (graveyard shift differential and ASE certifications) which are available after completion of probation.
Key Benefits
Working for Pierce Transit gives you access to the following benefits, (check-out the ATU Local 758 Collective Bargaining Agreement, click the Benefits tab above, or read on for details):
  • $2500 moving expense reimbursement
  • ASE Certification Pay (up to $3 per hour)
  • Shift Differential Pay (up to 20% under pilot program with ATU)
  • $500 Annual Tool Allowance
  • Boot Reimbursement
  • No Social Security tax on wages (extra 6.2% in your pocket)
  • Excellent medical, vision and dental coverage
  • Time off - generous vacation, sick leave and holiday (11 fixed and 2 floating holidays) plan, including up to 2 wellness days (up to 39 days off per year for the first 4 years, increases after that)
  • Washington State Public Employees Retirement System Plan - Defined Benefit Pension Plan
  • Matching 457 Deferred Compensation Plan (starts at 4.25%)

What We Do
is an independent municipal organization, dedicated to fulfilling the mission of improving people's quality of life by providing safe, reliable, innovative, and useful transportation services that are locally based and regionally connected.
Founded in 1979, Pierce County Public Transportation Benefit Area Corporation (Pierce Transit) is a nationally recognized leader in the public transportation industry. Pierce Transit covers 292 square miles of Pierce County with roughly 70% of the county population. Servicing Washington's second largest county, we provide three types of service: Fixed Route, SHUTTLE Paratransit, and Vanpool which help get passengers to jobs, schools and appointments.
About the Role:
Heavy Duty Diesel Technicians at Pierce Transit work diligently to serve our community so that service can roll out each morning. Ideal candidates will have a reputation for prioritizing safety, demonstrating reliability, and taking great pride in their work. Regular duties in this role will include:
  • Preventative maintenance.
  • Troubleshooting and diagnosing issues.
  • Repairing natural gas, EV and diesel-powered vehicles and equipment.
  • Diagnoses malfunctions and adjusts fuel, electrical, programmable logic controls (PLC's) and mechanical systems to specifications.
  • Repairs, adjusts, or replaces complete or integral parts of natural gas, EV, and diesel engines, transmissions, drive trains and differentials, and lubrication, cooling, exhaust after treatment, and air or hydraulic systems.
  • Diagnosis, repairs and/or maintains automatic transmissions and engines in buses.
  • Inspects, adjusts, troubleshoots, and repairs bus door operation, air-ride systems, steering systems, and wheelchair lifts.
  • Enters work order data on Agency computers.

Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
  • Must be at least eighteen (18) years old.
  • Graduation from High School or equivalent and completion of a four (4) year diesel mechanic apprentice program or equivalent education and experience as a heavy-duty diesel technician.

License Requirements:
  • Must possess a valid Washington State driver license at time of application, with maintenance thereafter.
  • Must obtain a Class B Commercial License Permit (CLP) prior to hire and successfully obtain a Class B Commercial Driver License (CDL) with air brake and passenger endorsement within ninety (90) days of hire, with maintenance thereafter.
  • Must maintain acceptable driving record throughout employment.
  • Pierce Transit will pay and instruct you on-site to get your Class B CDL with some of the best driving instructors in the industry.

Knowledge of and skill in applying:
  • Methods, materials, tools, and standard practices related to the maintenance and repair of heavy-duty vehicles and equipment.
  • Principles of spark/compression-ignited engines.
  • Safety precautions followed in heavy equipment repair shops

Skill in and ability to:
  • Use jacks, wrenches, grease guns, hydraulic hoists, cleaning materials and other tools and equipment used in the service and repair of heavy equipment.
  • Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
  • Work with other employees in a directed work team environment.
  • Conceptualize required work through personal observation or a verbal description and determine what is necessary to obtain quality results.
  • Perform computerized work order procedures.
  • Pass a job-related examination; pass federally required drug and alcohol testing.
  • Drive all job-related vehicles and maintain a valid Washington State driver license and CDL.

Special Requirements:
  • Please note: In order to obtain a Commercial License Permit in Washington State, you must be able to provide your current license, Social Security number and proof of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Residency.
  • Must be willing to work any shift (assignment to swing shift, graveyard and/or weekends likely).
  • Must have the ability to perform the essential functions as described above including the ability to maneuver objects weighing up to fifty (50) pounds.
  • Must possess a complete set of heavy equipment tools and a roll-a-way toolbox necessary to perform the essential functions of the position.

Mechanic I Offer: Applicants may be offered a Mechanic I opportunity if they do not possess sufficient proficiency to be hired as a Technician. Those hired at the Mechanic I classification will be given on-the-job training with the end goal of achieving Heavy Duty Diesel Technician standing. Starting 2025 pay for Mechanic I is $42.17 per hour.
Representation:
This job is represented by the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), Local 758.
More About Our Benefits:
Relocation Reimbursement: Applicants living more than 60 miles away, can qualify for reimbursement up to $2,500 in moving expenses for those who physically relocate their primary residence to the area (substantiated with receipts). Washington State was recently recognized as being number 1 in the nation for quality of life; read more about that
Workout Facilities: At Pierce Transit, our employees' health is important to us! That's why we offer several on-site gyms and an incredible Wellness Program in addition to excellent medical, dental, and vision packages.
Tuition Assistance: If your career goals change while you're employed, we are here to help. Pierce Transit offers $5,000 per year (up to a total of $18,000) in Tuition Assistance after your one-year anniversary. Certifications, and career skills must be connected to a position at Pierce Transit.
Retirement Plan: Pierce Transit employees are required to participate in the Washington State Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). Pierce Transit offers two Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) plans to choose from, and Employees who have participated in the Tacoma Employee's Retirement System (TERS) may elect to continue to participate in that system. As well as a matching program for 457 deferred compensation.
Deferred Compensation: After probation completion, participating employees receive an Employer-match of 4.25% which increases with tenure.
Flexible Spending Account: Health Care and Depended Care flexible spending accounts are available to employees. This program allows individuals to pay for certain expenses with pre-tax dollars through voluntary deductions.
Free ORCA Benefit: Pierce Transit provides an ORCA Card benefit for each employee and a family member. This benefit provides free access to service on Pierce Transit, Sound Transit, Community Transit, Everett Transit, King County Metro, Kitsap Transit, Seattle Monorail, Seattle Streetcar, King County Water Taxi and Kitsap Foot Ferry.
Paid Time Off: Full-time Pierce Transit employees are eligible to receive 11 paid holidays, 2 personal paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, 12 vacation days per year to start, and the ability to earn 2 Wellness Days. Vacation leave accrual rates increase per the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Shift Requirements: Please note that, due to seniority-based shift assignments, all new employees will likely initially be assigned to either swing or graveyard shifts, following CDL training.
Supplemental Information
Application Instructions:
To be considered for this vacancy, you must apply online:
  1. The online application must include a chronological work and/or education history covering a ten-year period.
  2. At least 3 professional references should be included with names, professional titles, and current phone numbers and/or email addresses.

For questions regarding this recruitment or assistance with the application process, please contact Human Resources staff at 253.581.8095 or
If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email
Pierce Transit is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
Pierce Transit has a strong commitment to the community we serve and our employees. As an equal opportunity employer, we strive to have a workforce that reflects the community we serve. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class.
Pierce Transit's Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay and all other forms of compensation, including benefits, and all other terms and conditions of employment.
01
Which of the following best describes your experience and/or training as related to the minimum qualifications for this position?
  • I have four (4) or more years of journey-level mechanical work experience in transit, bus, or over-the-road coach maintenance. Note: Experience must include at least one year of heavy duty diesel mechanic work experience or alternative fueled spark ignited engines.
  • I have completed a two (2) year diesel mechanic vocational course of study plus two (2) years journey-level mechanical work.
  • I have completed a four (4) year diesel mechanic apprentice program.
  • I earned and possess a certification as a diesel mechanic that was issued by a private or public agency recognized by Pierce Transit.

02
This job requires you to possess a complete set of heavy equipment tools and a roll-a-way toolbox necessary to perform the essential functions. Are you able to meet this requirement? (The expectation is to have up to ½" drive sockets and wrenches up to 1 ¼ "as well as the roll away box.)
  • Yes
  • No

Required Question