The qualifications needed to become a firearms instructor can vary depending on your field. To instruct police or military personnel, you typically need to have an associate degree and previous experience in law enforcement or the military. If you teach students at a private shooting range, you need certification from a national association, such as the NRA. You can start your firearms instructor career early by becoming an apprentice in the NRA’s apprenticeship program. Excellent communication skills and situational awareness are crucial for this career.

If you are interested in a job related to Firearms Instructor, here are some popular related job searches with the most open positions on ZipRecruiter.

Top Types Of Firearms Instructor Jobs

List of the top 10 highest paying Firearms Instructor positions in 2026, with salary ranges, according to ZipRecruiter.

Weapon Instructor
Salary range: $33,000 - $50,000
Weapon Instructor is a typical job search query Most salaries for Weapon Instructor jobs pay between $33,000 (25th percentile) and $50,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Weapon Instructor job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Marksmanship
Salary range: $111,500 - $131,500
Marksmanship is a typical job search query Most salaries for Marksmanship jobs pay between $111,500 (25th percentile) and $131,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Marksmanship job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Firearm Instructor
Salary range: $55,500 - $60,000
Firearm Instructor is a popular job search query. Most salaries for Firearm Instructor jobs pay between $55,500 (25th percentile) and $60,000 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for Firearm Instructor job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.
Nra Firearms Instructor
Salary range: $55,500 - $60,000
Nra Firearms Instructor is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Nra Firearms Instructor jobs pay between $55,500 (25th percentile) and $60,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Nra Firearms Instructor job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Online Self Defense Instructor
Salary range: $36,000 - $45,000
Online Self Defense Instructor is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Online Self Defense Instructor jobs pay between $36,000 (25th percentile) and $45,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Online Self Defense Instructor job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Uscca
Salary range: $125,500 - $153,500
Uscca is a common job search query. Most salaries for Uscca jobs pay between $125,500 (25th percentile) and $153,500 (75th percentile) annually. There are lots of open positions nationwide for Uscca job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.
Tactical Firearms Instructor
Salary range: $55,500 - $60,000
Tactical Firearms Instructor is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Tactical Firearms Instructor jobs pay between $55,500 (25th percentile) and $60,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Tactical Firearms Instructor job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Maritime Instructor
Salary range: $32,000 - $50,000
Maritime Instructor is a typical job search query Most salaries for Maritime Instructor jobs pay between $32,000 (25th percentile) and $50,000 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for Maritime Instructor job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.
Skateboarding Instructor
Salary range: $16,000 - $30,000
Skateboarding Instructor is a typical job search query Most salaries for Skateboarding Instructor jobs pay between $16,000 (25th percentile) and $30,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Skateboarding Instructor job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Bjj
Salary range: $34,000 - $48,000
Bjj is a common job search query. Most salaries for Bjj jobs pay between $34,000 (25th percentile) and $48,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Bjj job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

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