Locksmith in South Carolina: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Repair and maintenance
South Carolina employs 140 locksmiths, with a statewide median of $46,560 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact South Carolina licensing picture, and where to train.
What Locksmiths Earn in South Carolina (May 2025)
- South Carolina median pay
- $46,560 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $25,570
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $68,910
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $79,910
- Employed in South Carolina
- 140
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $49,910 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for locksmiths in major South Carolina markets:
- Charlotte
- $45,370 (140 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in South Carolina
Prices in South Carolina run about 6% below the national average (cost-of-living index 93.7 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $46,560 median stretches to roughly $49,691 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in South Carolina (2024–2034)
South Carolina is projected to shrink locksmiths employment -4.4%, faster than the -8.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 20 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
South Carolina License and Certification Requirements
No state license required — regulated by the No South Carolina state license.
- South Carolina 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 South Carolina state license →
Training in South Carolina
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 South Carolina?
The median wage for locksmiths in South Carolina is $46,560 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $25,570, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $79,910. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Locksmith in South Carolina?
No state license required, overseen by the No South Carolina state license. South Carolina does not license locksmiths.
Is being a Locksmith a good career in South Carolina?
Locksmithing requires physical presence, manual dexterity, local trust, and a licensed skill set for security work that cannot be done remotely.
Which South Carolina metros pay locksmiths the most?
Among South Carolina metro areas, Charlotte leads at $45,370. Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.
Is Locksmith a growing career in South Carolina?
South Carolina projects locksmiths employment to change -4.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 20 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), South Carolina statewide and metro estimates for SOC 49-9094. Licensing summary compiled from the No South Carolina 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 South Carolina wages · South Carolina 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.