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Small Arms Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Bowhead seeks a Small Arms Repair Technician to join our team supporting a recently awarded contract providing small arms support to the USAF on Joint Base San Antonio - Lackland AFB, TX. ...

Spray Equipment Repairer Lead

Westbrook, ME · On-site

$24.25 - $29.50/hr

This position is responsible for spray equipment (e.g. airless, conventional, electrostatic, pressure washers) at the store or at customers' job sites. This includes performing necessary repairs ...

Showing results 41-60

Small Arms information

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$16

$25

$29

How much do small arms jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for small arms in the United States is $25.25, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.84 and $27.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by small arms technicians, and how can they be addressed on the job?

Small Arms Technicians often encounter challenges such as diagnosing complex malfunctions, sourcing replacement parts, and adhering to strict safety protocols. These issues can be addressed by developing strong troubleshooting skills, staying up-to-date with manufacturer guidelines, and maintaining meticulous records of repairs. Additionally, effective communication with team members and end-users ensures that safety standards are met and repairs are performed efficiently. Continuous training and attention to detail are key to succeeding in this role.

What are small arms?

Small arms are firearms designed for individual use, typically operated by a single person. They include handguns, rifles, shotguns, carbines, submachine guns, and light machine guns. These weapons are commonly used by military, law enforcement, and civilians for defense, hunting, and sport shooting. Small arms are distinguished from heavier weaponry, such as artillery or crew-served weapons, by their portability and ease of use.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a small arms technician, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Small Arms Technician, you need expertise in firearms assembly, maintenance, repair, and a solid understanding of ballistics and safety regulations, typically supported by vocational training or military experience. Familiarity with specialized tools, diagnostic equipment, and certification such as the Certified Armorer credential are commonly required. Attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and effective communication are vital soft skills for ensuring precision and safety. These competencies are essential to maintain the reliability, compliance, and safe operation of small arms equipment.

What is the difference between Small Arms vs Firearm Technician?

AspectSmall ArmsFirearm Technician
CertificationsOften requires firearm safety and maintenance certificationsRequires firearm repair, maintenance, and safety certifications
Work EnvironmentMilitary, law enforcement, or civilian firearm manufacturing and repair facilitiesGun shops, manufacturing plants, or repair facilities
Industry UsageMilitary, law enforcement, civilian shooting sportsFirearm repair, customization, and maintenance

Small Arms generally refers to portable firearms like rifles, pistols, and shotguns, often used in military, law enforcement, or civilian contexts. Firearm Technicians specialize in repairing, maintaining, and customizing these firearms. While both roles require firearm safety knowledge and certifications, Small Arms is a broader category, whereas Firearm Technicians focus specifically on firearm repair and servicing.

More about Small Arms jobs

What cities are hiring for Small Arms jobs?

Cities with the most Small Arms job openings:

What states have the most Small Arms jobs?

States with the most job openings for Small Arms jobs include:

Infographic showing various Small Arms job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, and 7% Part Time. Highlights an 87% In-person, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $52,530 per year, or $25.3 per hour.

SMALL ARMS REPAIRER with Security Clearance

Department of the Army

Carson City, NV • On-site

$23.25 - $28.50/hr

Other

Re-posted 16 hours ago


United States Army rating

6.2

Company rating: 6.2 out of 10

Based on 490 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

44th of 49 rated military and defense


Job description

Duties * Performs accurization of national match weapons (pistols, rifles, and light machine guns) on a limited basis. Accurization involves altering and refining mass-produced weapons for use in national competition, by increasing their accuracy and reliability beyond factory specifications. This process involves selecting, fitting, and altering parts to improve the weapon. Altering includes peening, bending, filing, grinding, and the use of lapping compound to alter parts such as individual slide, receiver, sear, disconnector, barrel, barrel bushing, magazine, hammer, recoil spring, flash suppressor, operating rod spring guide, gas cylinder, stock, and the spindle valve. * Disassembles weapons, assemblies, subassemblies and other components. Examines for defects, misalignment and malfunctions. Replaces barrels, firing pins, springs, trigger mechanisms, shell ejectors, and other parts and assemblies. Modifies small weapons by replacing worn or obsolete parts and using hand and power tools, precision gauges, test instruments, jigs and alignment devices in making repairs, modifications, and adjustments. Applies final finishes and test fires and/or performs operational checks of arms repaired to ensure safety, accuracy, and ease of operation. * Performs overhaul, maintenance, and repair on a variety of small arms. Diagnoses and identifies mechanical deficiencies and/or malfunctions in weapons including: automatic pistols, revolvers, shotguns, automatic rifles, grenade launchers, machine guns, and rocket launchers, and other small arms and accessories. * Uses micrometer to measure altered tolerances and makes additional adjustments as required. Anneals certain parts until the proper temper of the metal is obtained. Selects certain parts of specific hardness by researching characteristics of various metals in technical manuals. Uses pre-set specifications to ensure that critical operating tolerances are met. Test fires weapons to ensure that they meet desired performance requirements. * Is responsible for accountability, storage and security of arms and other sensitive items while they are kept for repair, usually in vaults with limited access. * May serve as a commodity inspector during Command Maintenance Management evaluations(COMET) or as a member of a Maintenance Assistance Instruction Team * Performs other duties as assigned. Requirements Conditions of employment MILITARY REQUIREMENTS: Compatible military grade and assignment required prior to the effective date of placement. In compliance with Title 32 United States Code, the compatible military skill set is determined by the applicable service manpower requirements. Upon selection, individuals are assigned to the authorized position and its compatible military skill in accordance with Army skill classification directives, statutes, and National Guard Bureau regulations. The Dual Status technician must obtain and maintain all military skill requirements in regard to training, education, certifications, experience. If you are not sure you are eligible for military membership, please contact a National Guard recruiter prior to applying for this position. ENLISTED: E1 - E8 MOS: 91 series, or must be willing and able to obtain in the first year of employment *Other Requirements & Conditions of Employment: - National Guard Membership is required. - Males born after 31 December 1959 must be registered for Selective Service. - Federal employment suitability as determined by a background investigation. - Must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance of the position. - May be required to successfully complete a probationary period. - Must maintain local network access IAW AR 25-2. - Wear the uniform appropriate for the members' grade and component of the armed forces, maintaining standards of conduct and appearance. - This position is covered by the Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Amendment (30 Sep 96) of the Gun Control Act (Lautenberg Amendment) of 1968. An individual convicted of a qualifying crime of domestic violence may not perform the duties of this position. - Ability to establish effective professional working relationships with coworkers and customers, contributing to a cooperative working environment and successful accomplishment of the mission. - May occasionally be required to work other than normal duty hours; overtime may be required. - The duties and responsibilities of your job may significantly impact the environment. You are responsible to maintain awareness of your environmental responsibilities as dictated by legal and regulatory requirements, your organization, and its changing mission. - For positions requiring the operation of motor vehicles, candidates must have a valid state driver's license. Qualifications In order to qualify for this position, your resume must provide sufficient experience and/or education, knowledge, skills, and abilities, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are being considered. Education requirement is based upon the qualification standards for the specific position and is stated under the heading "EDUCATION". Your resume is the key means we have for evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities, as they relate to this position. Therefore, we encourage you to be clear and specific in describing your experience. EACH APPLICANT MUST FULLY SUBSTANTIATE (IN THEIR OWN WORDS) THAT THEY MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE LISTED BELOW; OTHERWISE, THE APPLICANT WILL BE CONSIDERED UNQUALIFIED FOR THIS POSITION. DO NOT COPY FROM THE VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT OR THE POSITION DESCRIPTION OR YOU MAY BE DISQUALIFIED. GENERAL EXPERIENCE: Must possess experience or training which demonstrates a working knowledge to read and interpret instructions, repair manual, specifications, and drawings; a knowledge of shop mathematics sufficient to use testing devices and measuring instruments; and be proficient in the use and maintenance of hand tools and equipment. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Must possess experience or training with substantial mechanical skill is required to effectively and efficiently repair, overhaul, and rebuild small arms for both conventional uses and for weapons involving accurization; experience to inspect, diagnose malfunctioning, wear and/or damage is required; the ability to perform accurization procedures on weapons to improve their performance is required; basic knowledge of other trades to modify and/or manufacture weapons parts for accurization is required; experience to apply technical manuals, regulations, specifications and drawings to determine operation, assembly, and tolerances of the variety of weapons worked on is required for successful performance; experience using and maintaining a variety of hand and power tools and gages is required; tools include drills, files, precision gages and measuring instruments, magnafluxing equipment and/or borescopes to determine when parts are worn or damaged beyond acceptable tolerances. Education There is no specific education requirement for this position. The applicant's record of experience and/or training must show possession of the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to fully perform the duties of the position. You must provide transcripts or other documentation to support your Training/Educational claims. To receive credit for Training/Education, you must provide documentation of proof that you meet the Training/Education requirements for this position. Additional information - If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency (https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx). - This is a Bargaining Unit position. - Applicants who feel they have restoration rights to this position should contact the HRO. - Military Incentives - Bonuses and Student Loan Repayment Program: If you are selected for this position, you may lose your eligibility for your National Guard Enlistment/Reenlistment Bonus and/or Student Loan Repayment Program incentives. In order to avoid losing your incentive eligibility, you should check with your incentives manager prior to accepting an offer for the position. - Participation in Direct Deposit is mandatory. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: In accordance with the State Merit Placement Plan, candidates will be considered in order of their area of consideration category as appropriate. TERM POSITIONS: "Temporary-Not to Exceed" (TEMP) and "Temporary-Indefinite" (INDEFINITE) are considered to be TERM positions and are limited in duration to 4 years maximum. Employees reaching maximum TERM appointment limit of 4 years may be terminated. CONVERSION OF TERM (TEMPORARY/INDEFINITE) POSITIONS: Positions advertised as TEMP or INDEFINITE may be non-competitively converted to INDEFINITE or PERMANENT without further at a future date contingent upon available funding. For TEMP PROMOTIONS, position may be non-competitively converted upon expiration of the incumbent's USERRA rights. RECRUITMENT/RELOCATION INCENTIVE: Recruitment and/or Relocation incentives may be available, if eligible. Incentives are subject to funding availability and TAG-NV approval and are not guaranteed. PERMANENT CHANGE OF STATION (PCS): PCS funding is NOT authorized . If you do not reside in the location of the position, you will be required to relocate at your own expense. SELECTED RESERVE INCENTIVE PROGRAM: Acceptance of this position will cause termination of Federal bonuses pursuant to respective Selected Reserve Incentive Programs (SRIP). This termination may be with or without recoupment of payments already made.

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About US Army

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

National security, health care and social assistance, national security and international affairs and public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Arlington, VA, US

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