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Security Systems & Alarm Services
ADT, Vivint, SimpliSafe
Locksmiths and Safe Repairers
Locksmiths and safe repairers fix, rekey, and replace the hardware that keeps buildings, safes, and access points secure. The work mixes hands-on mechanical repair with newer electronic access systems, so the trade rewards precision and trust but is under pressure from smarter locks and a shrinking job market.
Also known as LocksmithMobile LocksmithCommercial LocksmithSafe TechnicianLocksmith Technician
Median Salary
$50,490
Mean $55,200
U.S. Workforce
~16K
1.7K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+-8.3%
18.8K to 17.2K
Entry Education
High school diploma or equivalent
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Locksmiths and Safe Repairers sits in the Trades category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~16K workers, with a median annual pay of $50,490 and roughly 1.7K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to decline from 18.8 K in 2024 to 17.2K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with High school diploma or equivalent, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Locksmith Apprentice and can progress toward Security Hardware Supervisor / Shop Owner. High-value skills usually include Lock Mechanism Repair & Rekeying, Key Cutting Machines & Code Machines, and Electronic Access Control Systems, paired with soft skills such as Critical Thinking, Time Management, and Active Listening.
Core Responsibilities
- Take apart damaged locks, replace worn internal parts, and put them back together so they work again.
- Change the inside of a lock so old keys no longer open it.
- Cut new keys or make duplicates from a code, a key pattern, or a key-cutting machine.
- Install safes, vault doors, and deposit boxes, often moving heavy equipment into place and following a layout plan.
Keep exploring: more Trades careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Take apart damaged locks, replace worn internal parts, and put them back together so they work again.
02 Change the inside of a lock so old keys no longer open it.
03 Cut new keys or make duplicates from a code, a key pattern, or a key-cutting machine.
04 Install safes, vault doors, and deposit boxes, often moving heavy equipment into place and following a layout plan.
05 Open locked safes when the combination is lost, then repair the lock and other hardware inside them.
06 Install and test alarm systems and electronic door access controls.
Industries That Hire
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Facilities Management
CBRE, JLL, Cushman & Wakefield
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Home Improvement & Hardware Retail
The Home Depot, Lowe's, Ace Hardware
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Property Management & Real Estate
Greystar, Brookfield Properties, Related Companies
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Government & Public Facilities
U.S. Postal Service, General Services Administration, Smithsonian Institution
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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The pay is solid for a trade: the median is $50,490 and the mean is $55,200, with room to earn more on emergency or commercial jobs.
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You do not need years of school to get started; the usual entry point is a high school diploma plus long-term on-the-job training.
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The work is varied, ranging from simple key copies to safes, vault doors, and electronic access systems, so the job rarely feels repetitive.
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Even with a shrinking occupation, there are still about 1.7K annual openings, which creates steady replacement demand.
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The skills can transfer into access control, alarm systems, and facilities work if you want to move beyond basic lock work.
Challenges
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Employment is projected to fall 8.3%, from 18.8K jobs in 2024 to 17.2K by 2034, so the field is getting smaller.
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Routine work is being squeezed by electronic access systems and smarter locks, which reduces demand for some of the most basic mechanical tasks.
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The job is physical: you may need to lift heavy safes, drill into metal, and work in tight spaces or awkward positions.
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Income can be uneven because much of the work depends on service calls, emergency lockouts, and customer demand rather than a steady desk schedule.
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The career ceiling is limited unless you branch into security systems, management, or business ownership, since the pure locksmith market is fairly narrow.
Career Progression
Locksmith Apprentice
0-2 years
$33K-$41K
Learns to cut keys, do basic rekeys, and assist with service calls under close supervision.
Locksmith and Safe Repairer
2-6 years
$42K-$58K
Handles routine lockouts, safe repairs, key duplication, and smaller electronic access jobs independently.
Senior Locksmith / Safe Specialist THIS ROLE
6-10 years
$59K-$74K
Takes on complex vault work, commercial accounts, and difficult installations that require more judgment and precision.
Security Hardware Supervisor / Shop Owner
10+ years
$75K-$92K
Oversees crews, pricing, and emergency work, or runs a small business serving homes, offices, and institutions.
Education Paths
High school diploma or equivalent
This is the most common entry point, held by 61.54% of workers in the role, and most people learn the trade through long-term on-the-job training.
Post-secondary certificate in locksmithing or security systems
A common alternative path for 15.38% of workers, usually combining classroom basics with hands-on practice on locks, keys, and access hardware.
Some college courses in electronics, construction, or building maintenance
This route appears for 7.69% of workers and can help with electronic locks, alarms, and heavier installation work.
Apprenticeship plus manufacturer or state certification
A practical alternative for people who want to learn by doing, especially if they plan to work on commercial locks, safes, and electronic access systems.
Key Skills
Technical
Lock Mechanism Repair & Rekeying 63%
Key Cutting Machines & Code Machines 56%
Electronic Access Control Systems 53%
Safe, Vault & Deposit Box Installation 52%
Blueprint Reading & Heavy Tool Setup 50%
Alarm System Installation & Troubleshooting 48%
Soft Skills
Critical ThinkingTime ManagementActive ListeningService OrientationSpeakingComplex Problem Solving Job Outlook and Trends
+-8.3%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
1.7K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 18.8K to 17.2 K over the next decade, representing -8.3% growth. Around 1.7 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.