Skilled Trades & Construction career

Locksmith

Also called: Safe Technician · Security Locksmith · Access Control Technician · Mobile Locksmith

What locksmiths do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does a locksmith do?

Locksmiths and safe repairers repair and open locks, make keys, change locks and safe combinations, and install and repair safes and access control. The median pay is $51,320 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Months to years of training, and employment is projected to grow -11.7% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $51,320
    $24.68/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    -11.7%
    2025–35, a projected decline
  • Openings per year
    1,200
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    High school diploma or equivalent
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    Months to years of training
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    18,700
    Employment, 2025

What locksmiths do

Locksmiths keep people secure. They rekey and install locks, cut keys, open lockouts, program car keys, service safes and install electronic access control for homes, businesses and institutions.

A high school diploma and long-term training are typical; some states license locksmiths. BLS projects decline.

Typical duties

  • Install locks
  • Rekey locks
  • Cut keys
  • Open lockouts
  • Program car keys
  • Service safes
  • Install access control

Work environment and schedule

Locksmiths work in shops, vans and at customer sites.

Schedule: Full time, with emergency calls.

A day in the life

  1. Rekey a rental property.
  2. Respond to a home lockout.
  3. Install commercial hardware.
  4. Program a car key fob.

See a full day in the life of a locksmith →

Locksmith salary

Half of locksmiths earned more than $51,320 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $35,530 for the lowest 10% to $79,400 for the top 10%.

Full locksmith pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a locksmith

  1. Finish high school
  2. Pass a background check
  3. Train with a locksmith
  4. Earn ALOA certification
  5. Get licensed if required

A high school diploma and long-term on-the-job training are typical.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a locksmith →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Lock installation
  • Rekeying
  • Key cutting
  • Lockout opening
  • Automotive keys

People skills

  • Integrity
  • Problem-solving
  • Customer service
  • Patience

All locksmith skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Can be self-employed
  • Problem-solving
  • Security tech growth
  • Steady demand for rekeys

Cons

  • Declining overall
  • Night lockout calls
  • Driving
  • Scam competition

Certifications and licenses

  • ALOA certifications: Associated Locksmiths of America.
  • State locksmith license: Required in some states.
  • Safe technician certification: SAVTA.
  • Access control training: Manufacturer.

Career path

  1. Apprentice: Entry.
  2. Locksmith: Service.
  3. Master Locksmith: Advanced.
  4. Business Owner: Run a shop.

Learn the job before day one

Our Locksmith training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as rekey a pin tumbler lock and verify ownership before a lockout, safety and how to land your first job.

View Locksmith trainingIs this career right for me?

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Compare: Locksmith vs. Garage Door Technician · Locksmith vs. Security Guard · Locksmith vs. Electrician · Locksmith vs. Building Maintenance Tech

Locksmith FAQ

Do locksmiths need a license?

Some states require one.

Is the job declining?

BLS projects decline, though access control grows.

Can I work for myself?

Many locksmiths do.

How much does a locksmith make?

The median annual wage for locksmiths was $51,320 ($24.68 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $35,530 and the highest 10% earned more than $79,400.

How long does it take to become a locksmith?

Most people need about Months to years of training of training. A high school diploma and long-term on-the-job training are typical.

Do you need a degree to be a locksmith?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus long-term on-the-job training.

More locksmith questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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