Locksmith in Illinois: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Repair and maintenance

Illinois employs 430 locksmiths, with a statewide median of $58,110 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Illinois licensing picture, and where to train.

What Locksmiths Earn in Illinois (May 2025)

What That Pay Is Worth in Illinois

Prices in Illinois run right about the national average (cost-of-living index 100.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $58,110 median holds roughly its face value.

Job Outlook in Illinois (2024–2034)

Illinois is projected to shrink locksmiths employment -8.0%, about in line with the -8.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 60 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Illinois License and Certification Requirements

Illinois Locksmith License (to be phased out by 2029) — regulated by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).

1. Illinois currently requires individual locksmiths to be licensed through IDFPR. To obtain the license, you must be 18+, complete a IDFPR-approved locksmith training program, pass a background check, and pass the Illinois locksmith exam.
2. Apply to IDFPR for your Locksmith License; fees apply. Note: Illinois has announced plans to eliminate the locksmith license requirement by 2029 as part of occupational licensing reform.
3. License renews biennially with CE requirements. Many Illinois locksmiths also hold ALOA certifications for professional differentiation.

Official requirements: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) →

Training in Illinois

The phase-out of Illinois locksmith licensing (scheduled 2029) means current applicants should verify current status with IDFPR before beginning the process. Chicago is one of the strongest urban locksmith markets in the Midwest — commercial and residential density creates high service volume. Vehicle programming and access control are growing rapidly.

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

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Illinois statewide and metro estimates for SOC 49-9094. Licensing summary compiled from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) (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 Illinois wages · Illinois 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.