How much does a locksmith make?
a year · about $25 an hour
A typical locksmith in the United States makes $51,320 a year, about $25 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
Locksmiths check their calls, visit customers, diagnose stuck locks, then repair or rekey them, cut keys, and test that they work. Some jobs involve opening or repairing a safe and updating key or access records.
Did you know? Some locksmiths repair vault doors with welding tools and acetylene cutters—not just keys and door locks.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $35,530 and $79,400How do you become one?
In the U.S., finish high school or a GED, then learn hands-on through a job or apprenticeship; ALOA offers credentials. State rules differ, and some require a minimum age, experience, an exam, and a license.
School needed: High school plus some training
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, experience, state licenses, ALOA credentials, and specialties such as safe work can affect a locksmith’s pay. The employer, location, and hours—including overtime or emergency work—can also make a difference.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in District of Columbia ($76,740), lowest in Arkansas ($35,770).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $35,530 | $51,320 | $79,400 | about 15,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $76,740 | — |
| Connecticut | $69,280 | about 120 |
| Hawaii | $64,490 | about 50 |
| Delaware | $63,640 | about 50 |
| New York | $61,830 | about 960 |
Official definition: Repair and open locks, make keys, change locks and safe combinations, and install and repair safes.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes499094.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/49-9094.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.aloa.org/certifications
- www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-jersey/N-J-A-C-13-31A-2-1
- ofm.wa.gov/hr-policies/compensation-job-classes/job-classes-salaries/listing/spe
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY