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

Repair and maintenance

Wisconsin employs 130 locksmiths, with a statewide median of $48,360 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Wisconsin licensing picture, and where to train.

What Locksmiths Earn in Wisconsin (May 2025)

Wisconsin median pay: $48,360 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $37,960
Experienced (75th percentile): $61,170
Top earners (90th percentile): $74,310
Employed in Wisconsin: 130
U.S. median (for comparison): $49,910 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for locksmiths in major Wisconsin markets:

Milwaukee: $61,170 (40 employed)
Minneapolis: $59,410 (160 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Wisconsin

Prices in Wisconsin run about 6% below the national average (cost-of-living index 94.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $48,360 median stretches to roughly $51,392 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Wisconsin (2024–2034)

Wisconsin is projected to shrink locksmiths employment -8.3%, about in line with the -8.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 20 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Wisconsin License and Certification Requirements

No state license required — regulated by the No Wisconsin state license.

Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin state license →

Training in Wisconsin

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 Wisconsin?

The median wage for locksmiths in Wisconsin is $48,360 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $37,960, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $74,310. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Locksmith in Wisconsin?

No state license required, overseen by the No Wisconsin state license. Wisconsin does not license locksmiths.

Is being a Locksmith a good career in Wisconsin?

Locksmithing requires physical presence, manual dexterity, local trust, and a licensed skill set for security work that cannot be done remotely.

Which Wisconsin metros pay locksmiths the most?

Among Wisconsin metro areas, Milwaukee leads at $61,170, followed by Minneapolis ($59,410). 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 Wisconsin?

Wisconsin projects locksmiths employment to change -8.3% 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), Wisconsin statewide and metro estimates for SOC 49-9094. Licensing summary compiled from the No Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin wages · Wisconsin 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.