Skilled Trades

Locksmiths and Safe Repairers

Repair and open locks, make keys, change locks and safe combinations, and install and repair safes.

Median salary (BLS)

$51,320

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$36k – $79k

Job outlook

No separate BLS projection for this specific role

AI exposure

Plan a path to Locksmiths and Safe Repairers

Qualification costs Stack income Best cities/states School ROI Job-posting fit Tailored resume

Education

Typical entry: No degree required

Plan my path to this →

How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$100–$2,600

Time to qualify

3.1 yr

Renewal

$50/yr

1
Registered apprenticeship (paid)
Experience
Earn-while-you-learn training — apprentices are paid during the program; fees are tools/books, not tuition.
$0–$2,000 · 36 months · varies by state source
2
Journeyman exam & state/local license
License
Most states and municipalities test and license journeyman-level trades workers.
$100–$600 · 1 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Locksmiths and Safe Repairers" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

Junior Locksmiths and Safe Repairers
Entry / Junior
$35,530
~2 yrs to advance
Locksmiths and Safe Repairers
Established
$51,320
~3 yrs to advance
Senior Locksmiths and Safe Repairers
Senior
$65,360

Key skills

A typical day

•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.

Fields of study

Any field

Top colleges for Skilled Trades

Explore all

Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.