Locksmith
Repair and maintenance
Locksmithing requires physical presence, manual dexterity, local trust, and a licensed skill set for security work that cannot be done remotely.
- BLS median pay
- $49,910 (May 2024)
- Job outlook
- 4% growth, 2024-34
- Training path
- Certificate or on-the-job, 6-18 months
- Entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- On-the-job training
- Long-term on-the-job training
- Physical demand
- Medium
- Category
- Repair and maintenance
- AI resilience
- Strong
Why This Role Is More Resilient
This career scores strongly on AI resilience. The combination of physical presence, patient or client interaction, and specialized hands-on skills makes it difficult to automate or offshore.
Best For
People who like detail-oriented technical work and want a path to self-employment without years of apprenticeship.
Avoid If
Background check requirements in many states, on-call emergency lockouts, and modest starting wages in shop settings sound difficult.
First Step to Research
Look for locksmith apprenticeships or vocational training programs, and check your state's licensing requirements before you start.
How to Start: First Jobs, Common Mistakes, and Fit
Distilled from how working people and job postings describe the entry path. Use it for direction, then verify licensing, pay, and program details locally.
First job titles to search
Entry roles often aren't posted under "Locksmith." Search and apply under these titles too:
- Locksmith apprentice
- Locksmith trainee
- Road technician trainee
- Access control technician
- Safe technician apprentice
- Institutional locksmith
Common beginner mistakes to avoid
- Searching only "Locksmith" and missing the real beginner titles: Locksmith apprentice, Locksmith trainee, Road technician trainee, Access control technician.
- Paying for training before verifying local employer demand and official eligibility.
- Assuming national wage data equals local first-year pay.
- Buying tools, products, equipment, or supplies before receiving a real list.
- Ignoring schedule, commute, physical strain, and first-setting realities.
Signs this could be a good fit
- You like local service work and customer communication.
- You can manage liability, reputation, and referrals.
- You can tolerate a slow business ramp.
- You are willing to learn sales and documentation.
Warning signs it may not be
- You need immediate predictable income.
- You dislike customer conflict and reputation management.
- Startup costs require debt before demand is proven.
- You are uncomfortable with liability and insurance.
What This Pays in Your State
Locksmith salary & licensing by state
Real state and metro wages, license steps, and where to train as a locksmith in every state we cover:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
Sources and Verification
Pay, education, training, and outlook data sourced from BLS OES: Locksmiths and safe repairers. Verified 2026-06-13. Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) 49-9094 / Occupational Information Network (O*NET) 49-9094.00.
View BLS Occupational Outlook · View O*NET Profile
National median pay is a starting point only. State licensing, local wages, training costs, clinical placement rates, and local employer demand vary. Always verify with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, O*NET, state licensing boards, and local training providers before making a decision.