Locksmith in Missouri: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Repair and maintenance
Missouri employs 220 locksmiths, with a statewide median of $50,140 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Missouri licensing picture, and where to train.
What Locksmiths Earn in Missouri (May 2025)
- Missouri median pay
- $50,140 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $31,870
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $60,880
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $81,220
- Employed in Missouri
- 220
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $49,910 (May 2024)
What That Pay Is Worth in Missouri
Prices in Missouri run about 9% below the national average (cost-of-living index 90.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $50,140 median stretches to roughly $55,220 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Missouri (2024–2034)
Missouri is projected to shrink locksmiths employment -8.9%, about in line with the -8.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 30 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Missouri License and Certification Requirements
No state license required — ALOA certification recommended — regulated by the No Missouri state locksmith license required.
- Missouri does not require a state locksmith license. No state exam, registration, or permit is needed.
- Pursue ALOA certification (CRL — Certified Registered Locksmith) and carry general liability insurance to establish credibility. St. Louis and Kansas City may have local business registration requirements.
- Build skills in lock installation, rekeying, automotive key programming, and commercial access control through employment with an established locksmith company before going independent.
Official requirements: No Missouri state locksmith license required →
Training in Missouri
Without a state license requirement, ALOA credentials and customer reviews are the primary trust signals in Missouri. St. Louis and Kansas City support active locksmith markets; commercial real estate and automotive locksmith services are the highest-volume categories.
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 Missouri?
The median wage for locksmiths in Missouri is $50,140 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $31,870, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $81,220. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Locksmith in Missouri?
No state license required — ALOA certification recommended, overseen by the No Missouri state locksmith license required. Missouri does not require a state locksmith license. No state exam, registration, or permit is needed.
Is being a Locksmith a good career in Missouri?
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 Missouri?
Missouri projects locksmiths employment to change -8.9% from 2024 to 2034, with about 30 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), Missouri statewide and metro estimates for SOC 49-9094. Licensing summary compiled from the No Missouri 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 Missouri wages · Missouri 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.