Locksmith salary in the USA can be around $51,320 per year at the national median, or about $24.68 per hour, according to May 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for locksmiths and safe repairers. A locksmith can make keys, repair and replace locks, install door hardware, work on master key systems, open locked vehicles, and also work with safes, vaults and some electronic access systems. How much does a locksmith make can change a lot by state, experience, type of locksmith work, employer and whether the person works as an employee or operates a locksmith business. The 2025 BLS data shows a national mean wage of about $55,470 per year, while the middle of the occupation is around $51,320. Locksmiths normally enter with a high school diploma or equivalent and learn much of the trade through long-term on-the-job training or apprenticeship style training.
📑 Table of Contents
How Much Does a Locksmith Make in the USA?
A locksmith in the United States can earn different pay depending on where the work is done and what type of service the locksmith provides. For a regular employee, the national median locksmith salary is $51,320 per year, which is about $24.68 per hour. The mean annual wage is higher at about $55,470. These figures are for the BLS occupation called Locksmiths and Safe Repairers, which includes workers who repair and open locks, make keys, change lock combinations, install door hardware and repair or install safes.
Locksmith work can also include emergency calls. A mobile locksmith may travel to homes, businesses, cars, apartments and other locations. Some locksmiths mainly work with residential locks, while others work with commercial buildings, automotive locks, access control systems or safes. Because the work is very hands-on, small differences in skills and services can change the amount a locksmith earns.
BLS reports about 15,040 locksmiths and safe repairers in its May 2025 wage data. The national wage figures do not mean every locksmith receives the same salary. New workers may start closer to the lower part of the wage range, while workers with more experience, specialized skills, or work in higher-paying locations may earn more.
Locksmith Salary Range in the United States
The national locksmith salary range gives a better idea than looking at only one average number. In May 2025, the 10th percentile was about $35,530 per year, the 25th percentile was about $43,160, the median was $51,320, the 75th percentile was $64,560, and the 90th percentile was about $79,400. These are wage estimates for employees covered by the BLS survey and they should not be treated as a guaranteed salary for a new locksmith.
- 10th percentile: about $35,530 per year
- 25th percentile: about $43,160 per year
- Median locksmith salary: about $51,320 per year
- 75th percentile: about $64,560 per year
- 90th percentile: about $79,400 per year
Locksmith business owners can have a different income pattern because business revenue is not the same thing as employee wages. A business owner may charge customers for service calls, lock installation, key cutting, emergency service, automotive work and commercial security work, but also has vehicle, tools, insurance, advertising, equipment and other business costs.
Locksmith Salary by State in the USA
Location is an important part of locksmith salary by state. May 2025 state-level BLS estimates show a wide difference in reported median wages. District of Columbia had a published median of $76,740, while Connecticut was $69,280 and Hawaii was $64,490. California was $61,010 and New York was $61,830. Some states do not have a published estimate for this occupation in the available BLS state data, so they are marked as not published instead of using a made-up number.
Northeast Region
| State | Median Annual Locksmith Salary | Median Hourly Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $69,280 | $33.31 |
| Delaware | $63,640 | $30.60 |
| Maine | $52,670 | $25.32 |
| Maryland | $60,330 | $29.01 |
| Massachusetts | $59,420 | $28.57 |
| New Hampshire | $56,510 | $27.17 |
| New Jersey | $57,000 | $27.41 |
| New York | $61,830 | $29.73 |
| Pennsylvania | $52,160 | $25.08 |
| Rhode Island | $57,360 | $27.58 |
| Vermont | Not Published | Not Published |
Midwest Region
| State | Median Annual Locksmith Salary | Median Hourly Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $58,110 | $27.94 |
| Indiana | $47,640 | $22.91 |
| Iowa | $46,360 | $22.29 |
| Kansas | $52,930 | $25.45 |
| Michigan | $54,120 | $26.02 |
| Minnesota | $59,070 | $28.40 |
| Missouri | $50,140 | $24.11 |
| Nebraska | $49,070 | $23.59 |
| North Dakota | $44,310 | $21.30 |
| Ohio | $47,760 | $22.96 |
| South Dakota | Not Published | Not Published |
| Wisconsin | $48,360 | $23.25 |
South Region
| State | Median Annual Locksmith Salary | Median Hourly Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $43,340 | $20.84 |
| Arkansas | $35,770 | $17.20 |
| Florida | $49,120 | $23.61 |
| Georgia | $54,050 | $25.99 |
| Kentucky | $51,120 | $24.58 |
| Louisiana | $46,550 | $22.38 |
| Mississippi | $42,940 | $20.64 |
| North Carolina | $45,900 | $22.07 |
| Oklahoma | $38,680 | $18.60 |
| South Carolina | $46,560 | $22.39 |
| Tennessee | $50,250 | $24.16 |
| Texas | $43,860 | $21.09 |
| Virginia | $53,590 | $25.76 |
| West Virginia | $56,690 | $27.25 |
| District of Columbia | $76,740 | $36.89 |
West Region
| State | Median Annual Locksmith Salary | Median Hourly Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $58,390 | $28.07 |
| Arizona | $44,460 | $21.37 |
| California | $61,010 | $29.33 |
| Colorado | $47,500 | $22.84 |
| Hawaii | $64,490 | $31.00 |
| Idaho | $43,460 | $20.90 |
| Montana | $56,200 | $27.02 |
| Nevada | $47,450 | $22.81 |
| New Mexico | $41,920 | $20.15 |
| Oregon | $50,450 | $24.25 |
| Utah | $55,520 | $26.69 |
| Washington | $58,010 | $27.89 |
| Wyoming | Not Published | Not Published |
The state figures above are May 2025 median wage estimates compiled from BLS OEWS data. Not every state has a separately published estimate for locksmiths and safe repairers, and unpublished or suppressed figures should not be replaced with an estimated number.
What Does a Locksmith Do?
A locksmith works with locks, keys, door hardware and security systems. The daily work can be different depending on whether the locksmith works in residential service, commercial security, automotive service, safe and vault work, or a mobile emergency service. Some jobs are simple key duplication while other jobs require finding a mechanical problem and repairing the locking system.
- Make new and duplicate keys.
- Repair damaged or worn locks.
- Change locks and lock combinations.
- Install locks, closers and other door hardware.
- Set up and maintain master key systems.
- Provide mobile and emergency locksmith services.
- Work with automotive locks and vehicle entry systems.
- Install or work on electronic access systems.
- Repair and adjust safes and vault doors.
- Keep records of company keys and locking systems.
O*NET lists locksmiths and safe repairers under SOC 49-9094 and includes residential, commercial, automotive, safe and access-control related work. The occupation also requires attention to detail, hand control, customer communication and problem solving because the worker often needs to understand the problem before choosing a repair method.
How Much Does a Locksmith Make an Hour?
Locksmith hourly pay in the USA can be around $24.68 per hour at the national median based on May 2025 BLS wage data. The mean hourly wage was about $26.67. But hourly pay is not same for every locksmith. A person just starting in the trade can earn less, while an experienced locksmith with more skills can earn more than the national median.
Hourly locksmith pay can also change when the work is emergency service, mobile service, automotive locksmith work or commercial security work. Some workers are paid by the hour as employees, while independent locksmiths usually charge customers for the service instead of receiving a normal hourly wage.
- National median hourly pay: about $24.68
- National mean hourly pay: about $26.67
- Lower-paid locksmith jobs: can be below $20 per hour
- Experienced locksmith jobs: can reach $30 or more per hour in some locations and specialties
- Independent locksmiths: income depends on service charges, customers and business expenses
The BLS May 2025 national data reports 15,040 employment for locksmiths and safe repairers and a mean annual wage of $55,470. The median annual wage is $51,320.
Locksmith Starting Salary
Locksmith starting salary is normally lower than the pay of an experienced locksmith because the new worker still needs to learn different locks, key systems, tools, customer service and field work. Many people enter this trade with a high school diploma or equivalent and learn the work through on-the-job training.
O*NET places locksmiths and safe repairers in Job Zone 1-2. Its current occupational information says the occupation usually requires a high school diploma or GED, while training can range from a few days to one year of on-the-job training depending on the job. BLS lists long-term on-the-job training as the typical training for this occupation.
A new locksmith may start by helping an experienced worker, learning key cutting, lock installation, basic repair, inventory and customer calls. After getting more field experience, the worker can take more complicated jobs and may move into automotive, commercial, safe or electronic access work.
Entry Level Locksmith Salary
Entry level locksmith salary is usually connected with the lower part of the occupation's wage range. The exact starting amount depends on the employer, location, training, previous mechanical experience and the kind of locksmith company.
Entry-level workers may spend more time learning the trade instead of handling difficult jobs alone. A beginner can learn how to identify common lock types, use key cutting equipment, install door hardware, keep key records and communicate with customers. These basic skills are important because locksmith work requires accuracy and careful handling of small mechanical parts.
- Learn basic lock and key systems.
- Learn safe use of locksmith hand tools.
- Practice key duplication and key cutting.
- Assist with lock replacement and installation.
- Learn how to document keys and lock information.
- Work with an experienced locksmith on service calls.
- Build customer service and communication skills.
Experienced Locksmith Salary
An experienced locksmith salary can be higher when the worker has several years of field experience and can handle more types of jobs. Experience with commercial hardware, master key systems, automotive locks, safes and electronic access can make a locksmith useful for more specialized service work.
O*NET lists master key systems, door hardware, mechanical and electrical locking devices, safes, vault doors, vehicle unlocking and electronic access systems among the work performed in this occupation.
An experienced worker may also become a lead technician, service manager or trainer. Some locksmiths eventually start their own mobile or local locksmith business. In that case, personal income is affected by business revenue and operating costs, so it should not be directly compared with the employee wage figures from BLS.
Automotive Locksmith Salary
Automotive locksmith salary can be different from a general locksmith wage because automotive work requires knowledge of vehicle locks, keys and newer vehicle entry systems. Automotive locksmiths may work on cars, trucks and other vehicles and may provide mobile service at a customer's location.
Automotive work can include vehicle lockouts, key duplication, replacement keys and other lock-related service. Modern vehicles can also involve electronic systems, so locksmiths working in this area may need additional training and equipment.
- Vehicle lockout service
- Automotive key duplication
- Replacement vehicle keys
- Vehicle lock and door hardware service
- Mobile automotive locksmith calls
- Work with newer electronic vehicle security systems
O*NET specifically lists unlocking cars and other vehicles as one of the tasks for locksmiths and safe repairers.
Commercial Locksmith Salary
Commercial locksmith salary can be different from residential locksmith work because commercial customers can have larger and more complicated security requirements. A commercial locksmith may work for offices, stores, apartment buildings, schools, warehouses and other organizations.
Commercial jobs can include installing door locks and closers, maintaining master key systems, changing locks and working with electronic access systems. The job may also require keeping accurate records for company keys and locks.
- Commercial door lock installation
- Master key system work
- Door hardware installation
- Lock replacement and repair
- Electronic access system installation
- Business rekeying services
- Key control and record keeping
O*NET identifies master key systems, door hardware, company lock and key records and electronic access systems as part of the occupation's tasks.
Mobile Locksmith Salary
A mobile locksmith travels to customers instead of doing all work at a fixed shop. This can include residential emergency calls, car lockouts, business service and lock replacement. Mobile locksmiths may work from a service van and carry tools and common replacement parts.
Mobile work can be attractive for people who like field work because every service call can be different. But the schedule can also depend on customer demand. Emergency calls may happen outside normal business hours, depending on the company and service area.
For an employee, mobile locksmith pay is generally based on the employer's compensation system. For a self-employed locksmith, the business may charge customers per service call, but the owner has to pay for fuel, vehicle maintenance, tools, insurance, supplies, advertising and other expenses.
Safe Technician and Vault Locksmith Salary
A locksmith can also specialize in safe and vault work. This is a more specialized part of the occupation and can involve repairing safes, adjusting safe doors, installing vault components and working with safe locking mechanisms.
O*NET lists safe repair, vault doors, safe installation and safe locks among the occupation's duties. Some workers use specialized tools and equipment for this type of work.
Because safe and vault work requires additional knowledge and equipment, workers who specialize in this area can have a different earning pattern than locksmiths who mainly provide basic residential service. The actual salary still depends on employer, location, experience and amount of specialized work.
How to Become a Locksmith in the USA
How to become a locksmith can be different from one state or local area to another. A common path starts with a high school diploma or GED, followed by locksmith training and practical work experience. Some people enter through an apprenticeship or start as an assistant with a locksmith company.
O*NET currently lists locksmith and safe-and-vault service mechanic as examples of Registered Apprenticeship occupations. The occupation also has a practical training component because workers need to learn tools, locks, keys and repair procedures through actual work.
Typical Steps to Become a Locksmith
- Complete high school or obtain a GED.
- Learn basic mechanical and lock-related skills.
- Take locksmith training or enter an apprenticeship when available.
- Work with an experienced locksmith to gain practical experience.
- Learn residential, commercial or automotive locksmith services.
- Check state and local licensing requirements before offering services independently.
- Build experience with more specialized locksmith systems.
- Consider professional certification or additional technical training.
Locksmith Training and Apprenticeship
Locksmith training can include classroom learning, practical training and supervised field work. A new worker needs to understand different lock types, key systems, door hardware, safe mechanisms and the tools used to repair or install them.
Apprenticeship can be useful because locksmith work involves small mechanical parts and accuracy. A person can learn by watching an experienced locksmith and then performing tasks under supervision. O*NET lists Registered Apprenticeship examples for this occupation, including Locksmith and Safe & Vault Service Mechanic.
- Lock and key identification
- Key cutting and duplication
- Lock installation and replacement
- Master key systems
- Door hardware
- Automotive locksmith work
- Safe and vault service
- Electronic access systems
- Customer service and service records
Locksmith License Requirements
Locksmith license requirements are not exactly the same across the United States. Some locations regulate locksmith businesses or individual locksmiths, while other locations may have different registration, local business or security-related requirements. A person planning to work independently should check the rules of the state and city where the business will operate before starting the service.
Licensing and training should also be separated from professional certification. A certificate from an industry organization does not automatically mean that it replaces a state or local license when a license is legally required.
For this reason, people searching for how to become a locksmith should check the official state licensing agency and local government requirements for their exact location. Requirements can change, so an old training page should not be treated as the final legal requirement.
Locksmith Career and Work Environment
A locksmith career is practical and hands-on. The worker can spend part of the day at a shop and another part traveling to customer locations. The job involves tools, small mechanical components, customer communication and problem solving.
O*NET reports that locksmiths frequently communicate with customers and that accuracy is important in the occupation. It also identifies repairing, installation, troubleshooting, service orientation and complex problem solving as useful transferable skills.
The work can be a good match for people who like fixing things and working with their hands. It can also require patience because a lock problem is not always obvious when the locksmith first arrives at a job.
Locksmith Job Outlook in the USA
The locksmith job market has a different outlook from many fast-growing occupations. BLS currently projects employment for locksmiths and safe repairers to decline by about 12 percent from 2025 to 2035, with about 2,200 fewer jobs projected over that period. Even with projected decline, workers can still be needed because businesses replace workers who leave the occupation and customers continue to need lock and security services.
This projection is about employment in the occupation and should not be read as a prediction of an individual locksmith's income. Local demand, retirement and replacement needs, construction activity, vehicle ownership, business activity and the type of locksmith service offered can all affect actual job opportunities.
Locksmith Salary Factors
Locksmith salary is not decided by one thing. The location, experience, employer, work type and technical skills can all make difference in how much a locksmith earns. A locksmith working for a local shop may have different pay from a technician working for a larger security company. A self-employed locksmith has another income model because customer charges become business revenue before expenses.
- Location: Pay can be different from one state or city to another.
- Experience: Experienced workers can handle more complicated service jobs.
- Specialization: Automotive, commercial, safe and electronic access work may require extra skills.
- Employer: Locksmith shops, security companies and other employers can have different pay structures.
- Work schedule: Emergency and mobile service can involve evenings, nights or weekends.
- Business ownership: Independent locksmith income depends on customers, service prices and operating costs.
- Training: Additional technical training can help a worker perform a wider range of locksmith services.
Residential Locksmith Salary
Residential locksmith work focuses mainly on homes, apartments and other residential properties. Common services can include lock replacement, rekeying, key duplication, lock repair and emergency home lockout service. Some locksmiths also install new door hardware when homeowners replace or upgrade their locks.
Residential work can be a starting area for a new locksmith because the technician can gradually learn common lock types and service procedures. With more experience, the locksmith may move into commercial, automotive, safe or electronic access work.
Emergency Locksmith Salary
An emergency locksmith provides service when a customer cannot normally wait for regular business hours. A customer may be locked out of a home, vehicle or business, or may need a damaged lock replaced quickly.
Emergency locksmith work can have irregular working hours because calls can happen at night, during weekends or on holidays. The income arrangement depends on whether the locksmith is an employee or an independent service provider. Employees may receive hourly wages or other compensation, while independent locksmiths normally charge customers for each service.
- Home lockout service
- Car lockout service
- Business lockout service
- Broken key related service
- Emergency lock replacement
- After-hours mobile service
Self-Employed Locksmith Income
Self-employed locksmith income can look much different from the salary of a regular employee. An independent locksmith can receive money from residential calls, commercial contracts, automotive services, key cutting, lock installation and emergency service. But the total customer payments are not the same as personal profit.
A locksmith business can have expenses for a service vehicle, fuel, tools, replacement locks, key blanks, software or electronic equipment, insurance, advertising, phone service and business registration. After these costs are paid, the remaining amount is what can contribute to the owner's income.
Because of this, online claims about a locksmith business making a certain amount per year should not be compared directly with the BLS employee wage data. BLS wage statistics are occupational wage estimates, while business revenue and owner profit depend on the individual business.
Locksmith Tools and Skills
A locksmith needs both practical hand skills and knowledge of different locking systems. The exact tools depend on the service area. Residential locksmith work, automotive locksmith work and safe work can all require different equipment.
- Key cutting equipment
- Lock installation and repair tools
- Hand tools used for door hardware
- Key identification and measuring tools
- Automotive locksmith equipment
- Tools for safe and vault service
- Equipment for electronic access systems
- Computer or mobile devices for service records and business work
Technical skill is important because a locksmith often needs to identify the lock or security system before deciding what service is required. Good communication is also useful because the technician needs to explain the work and service cost to the customer.
Locksmith Jobs in Different Industries
Most people think of locksmiths as people who open locked doors, but the occupation has more work areas. Locksmiths can work for specialized locksmith companies, security companies, hardware-related businesses and organizations that need regular lock and access services.
- Residential locksmith companies
- Commercial security companies
- Automotive locksmith businesses
- Safe and vault service companies
- Property management services
- Hardware and door service businesses
- Institutional and commercial facilities
- Independent mobile locksmith businesses
Locksmith Salary Compared With Related Jobs
People researching locksmith salary may also compare the career with other hands-on maintenance and repair occupations. Locksmith work is more specialized around locks, keys, doors, safes and access systems, while other trades may focus on plumbing, electrical systems, construction or general maintenance.
The right comparison should include training time, licensing requirements, working conditions, local demand and the type of work a person wants to perform. Salary alone does not describe the complete career path.
Is Locksmith a Skilled Trade?
Yes, locksmith work is generally considered a skilled trade because the worker develops specialized practical knowledge through training and experience. The job requires understanding mechanical locking systems, keys, door hardware and in some cases electronic access systems.
Unlike a job where the same task is repeated every day, a locksmith can face different locks and different customer problems. The worker needs to identify the problem, select the correct tools and complete the repair without causing unnecessary damage.
Locksmith Career Advancement
A locksmith does not necessarily have to stay at the beginner level. After gaining experience, a worker can take more specialized service calls or move into a senior technician, lead technician or management role depending on the employer.
- Entry-level locksmith
- Residential locksmith technician
- Mobile locksmith technician
- Automotive locksmith technician
- Commercial locksmith technician
- Safe and vault technician
- Senior locksmith technician
- Service manager
- Independent locksmith business owner
Career advancement is not automatic and job titles are different between companies. Extra training, field experience, customer service ability and knowledge of modern access systems can help a locksmith take on more responsibility.
Locksmith Salary Outlook for the Future
The future of the locksmith occupation is connected with changes in physical locks, vehicle security and electronic access technology. Traditional key and lock work continues to be part of the occupation, while some locksmiths also work with electronic access systems and newer security hardware.
BLS projects a decline in overall employment for locksmiths and safe repairers during 2025–2035. At the same time, the occupation can continue to have openings because existing workers retire or leave the field. For someone considering this career, local licensing rules, training opportunities and the type of locksmith services needed in the local market are important things to research before entering the trade. ([bls.gov](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/about/data-for-occupations-not-covered-in-detail.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
Key Points About Locksmith Salary in the USA
Locksmith salary in the USA has a national median of about $51,320 per year based on May 2025 BLS wage data. The national median hourly wage is about $24.68, while the mean annual wage is about $55,470. State wages can be higher or lower than the national figure. Experience and specialization can also make a major difference.
- Locksmiths and safe repairers had a May 2025 national median wage of about $51,320.
- The national median hourly wage was about $24.68.
- The national mean annual wage was about $55,470.
- Entry-level workers normally need training and practical experience before handling complex work independently.
- Automotive, commercial, safe and electronic access work can require additional skills.
- Locksmith licensing requirements can vary by state and local jurisdiction.
- Self-employed locksmith income is different from employee salary because business expenses must be considered.
- BLS projects declining employment for the occupation from 2025 to 2035, while replacement openings can still occur.
For anyone searching how much does a locksmith make, the most useful number is not only the national average. Looking at state wages, experience level, specialization, employment type and local licensing rules gives a more realistic picture of the locksmith career in the United States.