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Locksmiths and Safe Repairers: Career Profile
Repair and open locks, make keys, change locks and safe combinations, and install and repair safes.
What Do Locksmiths and Safe Repairers Do?
The day-to-day responsibilities of locksmiths and safe repairers include:
- Cut new or duplicate keys, using impressions or code key machines.
- Insert new or repaired tumblers into locks to change combinations.
- Move picklocks in cylinders to open door locks without keys.
- Cut new or duplicate keys, using key cutting machines.
- Open safe locks by drilling.
- Set up and maintain master key systems.
- Install door hardware, such as locks and closers.
- Keep records of company locks and keys.
What Locksmiths and Safe Repairers Need to Know
Effective locksmiths and safe repairers draw on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Key Skills
These are the skills most important for this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Core Knowledge
Types of Locksmiths and Safe Repairers Jobs
This career also goes by job titles like:
- Access Control Technician (Access Control Tech)
- CML (Certified Master Locksmith)
- CMS (Certified Master Safecracker)
- Certified Professional Safe Technician (CPS)
- Commercial Vault Associate
- Forensic Locksmith
- Key Maker
- Key Technician (Key Tech)
Job Outlook
The U.S. employs around 371,577 locksmiths and safe repairers working in the United States today. Demand is forecast to grow by +10.8% over the projection horizon.
Salary for Locksmiths and Safe Repairers
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $49,146 |
| Hourly median | $23.63 |
| 10th percentile | $31,750 |
| 25th percentile | $40,448 |
| 75th percentile | $57,845 |
| 90th percentile | $66,543 |
Pay can vary substantially based on experience, location, and industry.
Pay by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $74,470 |
| Rhode Island | $73,120 |
| Connecticut | $64,470 |
| Massachusetts | $62,670 |
| Georgia | $61,610 |
| California | $61,500 |
| Minnesota | $61,420 |
| New York | $59,560 |
| Maryland | $59,310 |
| Alaska | $59,300 |
| New Jersey | $59,300 |
| Michigan | $58,570 |
| Virginia | $57,990 |
| New Hampshire | $55,070 |
| Nevada | $54,330 |
| Pennsylvania | $53,750 |
| Washington | $50,520 |
| Delaware | $50,520 |
| Kansas | $49,920 |
| Oregon | $49,780 |
| Indiana | $49,320 |
| Maine | $48,670 |
| North Dakota | $48,150 |
| Montana | $47,760 |
| Wisconsin | $47,720 |
| Utah | $47,690 |
| Florida | $47,610 |
| Missouri | $47,490 |
| Nebraska | $47,470 |
| Illinois | $47,360 |
| Colorado | $46,990 |
| West Virginia | $46,630 |
| Idaho | $46,290 |
| South Carolina | $45,950 |
| New Mexico | $45,190 |
| Oklahoma | $45,170 |
| Tennessee | $45,110 |
| Mississippi | $45,000 |
| Iowa | $45,000 |
| Kentucky | $44,850 |
| Texas | $44,700 |
| Alabama | $44,140 |
| Ohio | $43,960 |
| Arizona | $43,320 |
| North Carolina | $42,190 |
| Louisiana | $40,390 |
| Arkansas | $36,930 |
Pay by U.S. Region
Pay for locksmiths and safe repairers differ across the country. Top regions by median wage:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| New England | $63,010 | 4.6% | 1.08 |
| Middle Atlantic | $59,088 | 18.4% | 1.29 |
| Far Western US | $58,788 | 19.0% | 1.15 |
| Plains States | $50,303 | 4.6% | 0.76 |
| Great Lakes | $48,469 | 10.4% | 0.76 |
| Southeast | $48,034 | 26.5% | 1.15 |
| Rocky Mountains | $47,177 | 4.1% | 1.11 |
| Southwest | $44,508 | 12.3% | 0.97 |
Highest-Paying Metro Areas for Locksmiths and Safe Repairers
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | CA | $75,780 | 290 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | CA | $75,130 | 100 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | DC | $73,770 | 390 |
| New Haven, CT | CT | $73,260 | 30 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | CA | $69,890 | 30 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | RI | $69,050 | 90 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | CT | $67,370 | 40 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | NJ | $65,660 | 70 |
Which Industries Hire Locksmiths and Safe Repairers
The largest employers of locksmiths and safe repairers are found across these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 11,010 | $48,030 |
| Educational Services | 1,810 | $58,740 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 400 | $67,760 |
| Wholesale Trade | 250 | $45,610 |
| Construction | 230 | $47,750 |
| Accommodation and Food Services | 200 | $60,920 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 180 | $74,470 |
| Manufacturing | 80 | $77,220 |
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Tech Stack
- Accounting software: Intuit QuickBooks (hot technology)
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
Work Environment
The work environment for locksmiths and safe repairers tends to involve the following characteristics:
- Telephone Conversations
- Contact With Others
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
Getting Started in This Career
Most locksmiths and safe repairers positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education. This career aligns with Some Preparation Needed (Job Zone 2), indicating the level of preparation typically expected.
Related Careers
Similar Occupations
- Electricians (Supplemental)
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (Supplemental)
- Helpers–Electricians (Primary-Short)
- Helpers–Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (Primary-Long)
- Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers (Primary-Short)
- Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers (Primary-Long)
- Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment (Supplemental)
- Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles (Primary-Long)
Where to Study
Students preparing for locksmiths and safe repairers typically earn programs in:
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians
1 programs across 1 majors
About the Data
Statistics shown above are sourced from the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 49-9094.00 (Locksmiths and Safe Repairers).
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