Locksmith Training and Jobs
Schools and Degrees
The Master Locksmiths Association offers courses for locksmiths. Programs offered by the MLA teach students about access controls, security devices and lock repair. However, prior to applying for this program, one needs to have a clear criminal background. Students can also opt for correspondence locksmith courses that are offered by a number of technical and vocational schools. Nevertheless, most locksmiths learn their skills on the job from an experienced worker. Some organizations also offer trainee positions for those starting out in this profession. Training usually lasts for one year.
Training and Education
Moderate-term on-the-job training is often necessary for working in the field. Some college, below a 4-year degree, is sufficient for 33% of locksmiths. Workers with only a high school education represent about 56% of all.
Job Overview
Locksmiths are responsible for adjusting, installing, selling, repairing and opening locks. They repair damaged locks by replacing tumblers, springs and other parts. Locksmiths also change lock combinations and make keys. Some locksmiths specialize in installing and repairing burglar and fire alarm systems while others work for large industrial plants, small businesses or government agencies.
Job Requirements
Employers generally prefer candidates with a high school degree. Those interested in entering this profession should take courses in mechanical drawing, mathematics and machine shop. Prior experience in engineering and carpentry can also prove to be helpful. In some states, locksmiths are required to have a license.
To be a successful locksmith, one should develop personal traits like tactfulness and dependability. Locksmiths need to have a pleasant, positive and supportive attitude towards the people they work with. Mechanical aptitude, excellent eyesight, hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity are of extreme importance. It is also necessary to maintain a neat appearance and strong interpersonal skills. These are particularly vital since building a good reputation is crucial for success in this profession.
Nature of Work
Most locksmiths work in small, well kept locksmith shops, while many have their own businesses. Hardware and department stores sometimes employ locksmiths. Some of them work for manufacturers of safes and locks, or large industrial plants. With the increasing awareness and demand for security, locksmiths are often requested to install and service electronic security systems. They might occasionally have to work in bad weather, uncomfortable positions and for long hours. Locksmiths also spend a lot of their time travelling from job to job. Their work hours may vary greatly depending on the number of emergencies, so odd work hours are common.
Area Job Conditions
Employees appear most common in Houma (Louisiana), Gainesville (Florida), and Medford (Oregon), and least common in Fort Worth (Texas), Minneapolis (Minnesota), and Louisville (Kentucky).
Ocala (Florida), Bridgeport (Connecticut), and New Haven (Connecticut) offer the highest pay. Tucson (Arizona), Mobile (Alabama), and Atlanta (Georgia) offer the lowest salaries.
Part-Time and Self Employment
Government statistics report that 11% of locksmiths are employed part-time. Workers who work for themselves total about 28%.
Career Videos
Locksmiths by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)
In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.
Alabama
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | $24,000 | 180 | +367% |
Arizona
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | $39,000 | 300 | +115% |
| Tucson | $29,000 | 80 | +201% |
Arkansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | $30,000 | 60 | +287% |
| Little Rock | $25,000 | 60 | +123% |
California
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield | $33,000 | 50 | +149% |
| Fresno | $38,000 | 30 | +21% |
| Los Angeles | $44,000 | 510 | +59% |
| Modesto | $32,000 | 50 | +328% |
| Oakland | $43,000 | 210 | +167% |
| Oxnard | $44,000 | 30 | +30% |
| Riverside | $48,000 | 180 | +89% |
| Sacramento | $48,000 | 40 | -41% |
| San Diego | $42,000 | 210 | +103% |
| San Francisco | $43,000 | 140 | +79% |
| Santa Ana | $47,000 | 290 | +152% |
| Santa Barbara | $36,000 | 30 | +137% |
Colorado
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver | $43,000 | 330 | +235% |
| Fort Collins | $27,000 | 30 | +221% |
Connecticut
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | $43,000 | 100 | +200% |
| Hartford | $50,000 | 30 | -34% |
| New Haven | $46,000 | 60 | +185% |
District of Columbia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $46,000 | 210 | +9% |
Florida
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral | $27,000 | 70 | +375% |
| Lakeland | $30,000 | 80 | +458% |
| Naples | $38,000 | 60 | +627% |
| Orlando | $34,000 | 220 | +174% |
| Palm Bay | $33,000 | 50 | +233% |
Georgia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | $41,000 | 80 | -56% |
Illinois
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Champaign | $38,000 | 50 | +567% |
| Chicago | $42,000 | 310 | +4% |
| Rockford | $34,000 | 30 | +185% |
Kansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topeka | $27,000 | 40 | +392% |
Louisiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lafayette | $26,000 | 50 | +367% |
| New Orleans | $31,000 | 140 | +237% |
Maryland
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | $44,000 | 90 | -13% |
Massachusetts
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | $47,000 | 270 | +96% |
| Springfield | $43,000 | 30 | +30% |
Minnesota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis | $48,000 | 100 | -29% |
Mississippi
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson | $27,000 | 60 | +207% |
Missouri
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Louis | $36,000 | 100 | -5% |
Nebraska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha | $35,000 | 100 | +171% |
Nevada
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas | $52,000 | 130 | +94% |
New Hampshire
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashua | $49,000 | 30 | +192% |
New Jersey
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City | $55,000 | 60 | +451% |
| Edison | $48,000 | 80 | -1% |
| Newark | $48,000 | 160 | +103% |
| Trenton | $55,000 | 30 | +72% |
New Mexico
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $25,000 | 80 | +166% |
New York
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $37,000 | 50 | +42% |
| Buffalo | $31,000 | 70 | +61% |
| New York | $48,000 | 500 | +21% |
| Poughkeepsie | $28,000 | 140 | +637% |
| Rochester | $41,000 | 30 | -24% |
| Syracuse | $39,000 | 30 | +23% |
Ohio
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canton | $34,000 | 30 | +138% |
| Cincinnati | $35,000 | 170 | +112% |
| Toledo | $36,000 | 40 | +75% |
Oregon
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland | $35,000 | 220 | +172% |
Pennsylvania
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harrisburg | $34,000 | 40 | +61% |
| Lancaster | $34,000 | 60 | +232% |
| Philadelphia | $38,000 | 180 | +19% |
| Pittsburgh | $40,000 | 80 | -12% |
Rhode Island
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | $38,000 | 70 | +60% |
South Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Myrtle Beach | $29,000 | 50 | +521% |
Tennessee
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville | $43,000 | 70 | +20% |
Texas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin | $32,000 | 100 | +61% |
| Dallas | $31,000 | 180 | +8% |
| Fort Worth | $52,000 | 80 | +17% |
| Killeen | $28,000 | 130 | +1255% |
| San Antonio | $34,000 | 60 | -13% |
Utah
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ogden | $32,000 | 70 | +360% |
| Salt Lake City | $41,000 | 80 | +67% |
Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond | $41,000 | 90 | +86% |
| Roanoke | $34,000 | 40 | +240% |
| Virginia Beach | $35,000 | 70 | +17% |
Washington
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle | $35,000 | 200 | +80% |
Wisconsin
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison | $28,000 | 50 | +90% |
| Milwaukee | $41,000 | 110 | +68% |