Locksmith in Montana: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
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Montana employs 110 locksmiths, with a statewide median of $56,200 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Montana licensing picture, and where to train.
What Locksmiths Earn in Montana (May 2025)
- Montana median pay
- $56,200 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $39,730
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $65,730
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $74,990
- Employed in Montana
- 110
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $49,910 (May 2024)
What That Pay Is Worth in Montana
Prices in Montana run about 5% below the national average (cost-of-living index 94.6 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $56,200 median stretches to roughly $59,408 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Montana (2024–2034)
Montana is projected to shrink locksmiths employment -11.0%, slower than the -8.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 10 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Montana License and Certification Requirements
No state license required — regulated by the No Montana state license.
- Montana does not license locksmiths.
- Learn through an employer, apprenticeship, or ALOA training.
- Build skills in lock installation, rekeying, automotive keys, and access control; bonding/insurance helps you win work.
Official requirements: No Montana state license →
Training in Montana
Low barrier to entry; reputation and mobile-service convenience drive income. Automotive and electronic access control are growth areas.
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 Montana?
The median wage for locksmiths in Montana is $56,200 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $39,730, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $74,990. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Locksmith in Montana?
No state license required, overseen by the No Montana state license. Montana does not license locksmiths.
Is being a Locksmith a good career in Montana?
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 Montana?
Montana projects locksmiths employment to change -11.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 10 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), Montana statewide and metro estimates for SOC 49-9094. Licensing summary compiled from the No Montana state license (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 Montana wages · Montana 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.