Locksmiths and safe repairers salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,530 | $17.08 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $51,320 | $24.68 |
| Mean (average) | $55,470 | $26.67 |
| 90th percentile | $79,400 | $38.17 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Locksmiths and safe repairers pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 49 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $43,340 | $29,690 | $57,880 | 200 | 1 |
| Alaska | $58,390 | $44,050 | $114,440 | 80 | 2.56 |
| Arizona | $44,460 | $37,120 | $73,220 | 260 | 0.83 |
| Arkansas | $35,770 | $28,360 | $59,120 | 100 | 0.83 |
| California | $61,010 | $47,020 | $93,030 | 2,060 | 1.17 |
| Colorado | $47,500 | $35,530 | $70,840 | 380 | 1.37 |
| Connecticut | $69,280 | $45,520 | $98,620 | 120 | 0.73 |
| Delaware | $63,640 | $45,710 | $93,450 | 50 | 1.03 |
| District of Columbia | $76,740 | $60,000 | $104,500 | ||
| Florida | $49,120 | $36,060 | $77,830 | 1,440 | 1.49 |
| Georgia | $54,050 | $26,900 | $75,530 | 330 | 0.7 |
| Hawaii | $64,490 | $30,720 | $82,280 | 50 | 0.87 |
| Idaho | $43,460 | $29,140 | $57,860 | 150 | 1.77 |
| Illinois | $58,110 | $35,960 | $88,790 | 430 | 0.74 |
| Indiana | $47,640 | $28,900 | $61,610 | 250 | 0.81 |
| Iowa | $46,360 | $34,030 | $68,970 | 120 | 0.79 |
| Kansas | $52,930 | $37,010 | $70,740 | 110 | 0.78 |
| Kentucky | $51,120 | $40,410 | $65,060 | 120 | 0.63 |
| Louisiana | $46,550 | $24,460 | $76,740 | 190 | 1.02 |
| Maine | $52,670 | $43,010 | $66,390 | 140 | 2.24 |
| Maryland | $60,330 | $47,720 | $81,290 | 270 | 1.02 |
| Massachusetts | $59,420 | $49,230 | $100,340 | 300 | 0.85 |
| Michigan | $54,120 | $27,100 | $72,370 | 230 | 0.53 |
| Minnesota | $59,070 | $40,040 | $74,740 | 220 | 0.78 |
| Mississippi | $42,940 | $30,440 | $63,310 | 80 | 0.72 |
| Missouri | $50,140 | $31,870 | $81,220 | 220 | 0.77 |
| Montana | $56,200 | $39,730 | $74,990 | 110 | 2.23 |
| Nebraska | $49,070 | $34,110 | $69,620 | 50 | 0.55 |
| Nevada | $47,450 | $37,630 | $67,700 | 170 | 1.16 |
| New Hampshire | $56,510 | $31,970 | $72,500 | 40 | 0.54 |
| New Jersey | $57,000 | $46,220 | $79,770 | 480 | 1.15 |
| New Mexico | $41,920 | $28,670 | $62,540 | 140 | 1.68 |
| New York | $61,830 | $36,950 | $88,890 | 960 | 1.02 |
| North Carolina | $45,900 | $29,020 | $71,040 | 480 | 1.01 |
| North Dakota | $44,310 | $37,700 | $67,010 | 70 | 1.6 |
| Ohio | $47,760 | $34,560 | $65,000 | 400 | 0.74 |
| Oklahoma | $38,680 | $27,740 | $62,600 | 180 | 1.08 |
| Oregon | $50,450 | $38,480 | $75,130 | 250 | 1.33 |
| Pennsylvania | $52,160 | $35,980 | $82,380 | 530 | 0.91 |
| Puerto Rico | $27,220 | $24,620 | $33,690 | 40 | 0.47 |
| Rhode Island | $57,360 | $41,600 | $86,030 | 80 | 1.68 |
| South Carolina | $46,560 | $25,570 | $79,910 | 140 | 0.65 |
| Tennessee | $50,250 | $34,630 | $72,330 | 340 | 1.08 |
| Texas | $43,860 | $18,230 | $59,280 | 1,420 | 1.04 |
| Utah | $55,520 | $34,770 | $74,320 | 180 | 1.07 |
| Virginia | $53,590 | $34,870 | $76,200 | 430 | 1.09 |
| Washington | $58,010 | $46,240 | $79,580 | 380 | 1.12 |
| West Virginia | $56,690 | $31,970 | $98,160 | 50 | 0.77 |
| Wisconsin | $48,360 | $37,960 | $74,310 | 130 | 0.47 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for locksmiths and safe repairers
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 1,200. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Share of workers who are self-employed (2025): 18.5%.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for locksmiths and safe repairers
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Long-term on-the-job training
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- Locksmithing and Safe Repair CIP 47.0403
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- 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.
Technology skills
- Intuit QuickBooks (hot technology)
- Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Inventory tracking software
- Mapping software
- Marathon Data Systems ServiceCEO
- Scheduling software
- WH Software InstaCode
- WH Software MasterKey
- dESCO ESC
Transferable skills for career changers: Repairing, Time Management, Service Orientation, Quality Control Analysis, Complex Problem Solving, Installation.
Common job titles: Certified Professional Safe Technician (CPS), CML (Certified Master Locksmith), CMS (Certified Master Safecracker), Forensic Locksmith, Lock Technician (Lock Tech), Locksmith, Road Service Locksmith, RST (Registered Safe Technician), Safe Technician (Safe Tech), Vault Technician (Vault Tech).
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do locksmiths and safe repairers make?
The national median annual wage for locksmiths and safe repairers was $51,320 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $35,530 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $79,400. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do locksmiths and safe repairers need?
BLS lists high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and long-term on-the-job training on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is locksmiths and safe repairers a growing career?
BLS projects employment of locksmiths and safe repairers to change -11.7% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 1,200 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay locksmiths and safe repairers the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were District of Columbia ($76,740), Connecticut ($69,280), Hawaii ($64,490). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.