What You Need to Know About Locksmith or Safe Repairer
Occupation Description Repair and open locks; make keys; change locks and safe combinations; and install and repair safes.
Daily Life Of a Locksmith or Safe Repairer
- Keep records of company locks and keys.
- Repair and adjust safes, vault doors, and vault components, using hand tools, lathes, drill presses, and welding and acetylene cutting apparatus.
- Unlock cars and other vehicles.
- Move picklocks in cylinders to open door locks without keys.
- Install door hardware, such as locks and closers.
- Open safe locks by drilling.
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Things a Locksmith or Safe Repairer Should Know How to Do
Below is a list of the skills most Locksmiths and Safe Repairers say are important on the job.
Repairing: Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Related Job Titles
- Key Maker
- Safe and Vault Service Mechanic
- Safe and Vault Mechanic
- Lock Fitter
- Safe and Vault Installer
Job Opportunities for Locksmiths and Safe Repairers
There were about 28,700 jobs for Locksmith or Safe Repairer in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Locksmith or Safe Repairer. There will be an estimated 2,500 positions for Locksmith or Safe Repairer per year.

The states with the most job growth for Locksmith or Safe Repairer are Utah, Maryland, and North Dakota. Watch out if you plan on working in South Dakota, Vermont, or Wisconsin. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Locksmith or Safe Repairer Salary
The average yearly salary of a Locksmith or Safe Repairer ranges between $24,270 and $65,870.

Locksmiths and Safe Repairers who work in Alaska, District of Columbia, or Connecticut, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Locksmiths and Safe Repairers in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $31,780 |
Alaska | $68,260 |
Arizona | $36,960 |
Arkansas | $35,830 |
California | $50,620 |
Colorado | $44,880 |
Connecticut | $60,010 |
Delaware | $44,820 |
District of Columbia | $62,600 |
Florida | $40,900 |
Georgia | $37,530 |
Hawaii | $46,760 |
Idaho | $33,480 |
Illinois | $51,080 |
Indiana | $41,940 |
Iowa | $40,320 |
Kansas | $51,990 |
Kentucky | $34,490 |
Louisiana | $40,120 |
Maine | $45,410 |
Maryland | $48,070 |
Massachusetts | $51,660 |
Michigan | $35,980 |
Minnesota | $43,920 |
Mississippi | $43,650 |
Missouri | $44,740 |
Montana | $39,420 |
Nebraska | $39,800 |
Nevada | $45,650 |
New Hampshire | $44,260 |
New Jersey | $46,550 |
New Mexico | $31,710 |
New York | $54,230 |
North Carolina | $34,880 |
North Dakota | $50,690 |
Ohio | $39,760 |
Oklahoma | $35,160 |
Oregon | $37,810 |
Pennsylvania | $49,410 |
Rhode Island | $42,490 |
South Carolina | $38,980 |
Tennessee | $35,650 |
Texas | $40,640 |
Utah | $44,520 |
Virginia | $46,430 |
Washington | $37,740 |
West Virginia | $34,260 |
Wisconsin | $39,660 |
What Tools & Technology do Locksmiths and Safe Repairers Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Locksmiths and Safe Repairers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Intuit QuickBooks
- Scheduling software
- Inventory tracking software
- Mapping software
- dESCO ESC
Becoming a Locksmith or Safe Repairer
Individuals working as a Locksmith or Safe Repairer have obtained the following education levels:

How many years of work experience do I need?

Who Employs Locksmiths and Safe Repairers?

Below are examples of industries where Locksmiths and Safe Repairers work:

References:
Image Credit: Phasmatisnox via CC BY 3.0
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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