Locksmith in Georgia: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Repair and maintenance
Georgia employs 330 locksmiths, with a statewide median of $54,050 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Georgia licensing picture, and where to train.
What Locksmiths Earn in Georgia (May 2025)
- Georgia median pay
- $54,050 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $26,900
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $67,030
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $75,530
- Employed in Georgia
- 330
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $49,910 (May 2024)
What That Pay Is Worth in Georgia
Prices in Georgia run about 4% below the national average (cost-of-living index 96.3 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $54,050 median stretches to roughly $56,127 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Georgia (2024–2034)
Georgia is projected to shrink locksmiths employment -3.5%, faster than the -8.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 40 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Georgia License and Certification Requirements
No state license required — ALOA certification recommended — regulated by the No Georgia state locksmith license required.
- Georgia does not require a state locksmith license. No state exam, registration, or permit is needed.
- Pursue ALOA certification (CRL, CML) for professional credibility. Some Georgia cities and counties may have local business licensing requirements for service businesses.
- Start with employment at a locksmith company and build skills in rekeying, lock installation, automotive key programming, and commercial access control before going independent.
Official requirements: No Georgia state locksmith license required →
Training in Georgia
Atlanta's fast-growing commercial and residential real estate market drives strong locksmith demand, particularly for commercial access control and master key systems. Savannah's historic district creates demand for specialized historical hardware and lock restoration.
Is This the Right Move for You?
Best for: People who like detail-oriented technical work and want a path to self-employment without years of apprenticeship.
Think twice if: Background check requirements in many states, on-call emergency lockouts, and modest starting wages in shop settings sound difficult.
Why it's resilient: Locksmithing requires physical presence, manual dexterity, local trust, and a licensed skill set for security work that cannot be done remotely.
First Steps
Look for locksmith apprenticeships or vocational training programs, and check your state's licensing requirements before you start.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do locksmiths make in Georgia?
The median wage for locksmiths in Georgia is $54,050 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $26,900, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $75,530. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Locksmith in Georgia?
No state license required — ALOA certification recommended, overseen by the No Georgia state locksmith license required. Georgia does not require a state locksmith license. No state exam, registration, or permit is needed.
Is being a Locksmith a good career in Georgia?
Locksmithing requires physical presence, manual dexterity, local trust, and a licensed skill set for security work that cannot be done remotely.
Is Locksmith a growing career in Georgia?
Georgia projects locksmiths employment to change -3.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 40 openings a year — a declining field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Georgia statewide and metro estimates for SOC 49-9094. Licensing summary compiled from the No Georgia state locksmith license required (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.
BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Georgia wages · Georgia licensing/certification source
Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities.
Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.