How Much Do Locksmiths Make? Hourly and Yearly Salaries in the U.S.

What do locksmiths do?

Locksmiths handle a range of jobs related to locks, keys, and other security systems, including:

• Installing, repairing, and maintaining locks
• Cutting keys and making copies
• Emergency lock services (cars, homes, safes, etc.)
• Rekeying locks
• Installing, repairing, and maintaining security systems

Breakdown of locksmith income

Here’s what you can expect for a locksmith salary—apprentice, journeyman, and master—and other factors that could increase your earnings.

Annual income for locksmiths

Locksmiths in the United States earn between $34,750 and $79,340 per year, based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This wide range reflects differences in skill level and experience. 

Entry-level locksmiths may start at around $30,000, while more experienced journeyman and master locksmiths may make upwards of $80,000. 

On average, locksmiths in the United States make $55,200 per year,  or $26.54 per hour.

Annual and hourly locksmith salary averages by percentile in the U.S.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Entry-level locksmith salary

 Becoming a locksmith begins with the completion of a training program or an apprenticeship. This can take anywhere from 6 months to a year before you’re able to start working in the field. Entry-level or apprentice locksmiths handle more basic jobs like key cutting and installing standard household locks under the supervision of a journeyman or master locksmith.

As they are just beginning their careers, entry-level locksmiths earn in the lower percentiles for salary, from $30,000 to $40,000. An apprenticeship lasts anywhere from 2 to 4 years and provides valuable work experience that leads to becoming a journeyman.

Journeyman locksmith salary

Journeyman locksmiths are seasoned veterans who have completed an apprenticeship. They can work independently on all manner of tasks, including more complex lock and security system installations. 

Journeyman locksmiths represent the majority of professionals in the industry and earn salaries between $50,000 and $80,000, which is in the median range and above.

Master locksmith salary

Master locksmiths are the highest level of technician, managing journeymen and apprentices across every type of installation, repair, and maintenance service. They often possess even more specialized skills, which is why they earn in the 75th percentile and above. 

Master locksmiths earn anywhere from $60,000 to more than $80,000 per year.

Locksmith salary ranges by state

How much locksmiths make varies from state to state based on licensing requirements, demand, cost of living, and competition in the market.

Highest paying U.S. states for locksmiths

Here are the top 5 states where you stand to make the most money as a locksmith:

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

These states offer higher wages due to a mix of factors: high cost of living, strict licensing requirements, a large number of commercial entities like governments and corporations, and higher population density.

Lowest-paying U.S. states for locksmiths

On the other end of the spectrum are the states paying the least for locksmiths:

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistic (2023)

The two primary factors for the lower wages in these states is a lower cost of living and lower population density. Louisiana, West Virginia, Arkansas, and New Mexico all rank low in population density, which means less overall demand.

Average salary by state

Now that you know the highest and lowest paying states for locksmiths, here’s a look at the entire annual and hourly salary picture across the United States.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2023)

NOTE: The BLS does not provide consolidated locksmith salary data for Alaska, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming.

Income potential for locksmith business owners

You know what you can make as an individual locksmith, but there’s even more potential when you start your own locksmith service business. 

A small locksmith company can make anywhere from $80,000 to $200,000 in annual revenue. As a locksmith business owner, you could find yourself making between $45,000 and $80,000 a year once you’re established. This could increase to more than $100,000 annually based on the services you offer, location, and number of service calls.

As the owner of a locksmith business, you’re in charge of managing employees, scheduling jobs, attracting and retaining clients, and a lot of other administrative tasks to make sure you’re growing effectively. 

With more responsibility (and more at stake), you’re entitled to earn more than you would as an employee of someone else’s business or as an independent locksmith.

Additional revenue streams

You can increase your earnings by offering more services, such as:

• Access control system installation and maintenance contracts
• Safe and vault servicing, including combination changes and opening
• 24/7 emergency lockout services for homes, businesses, and vehicles
• Master key system design and installation for commercial clients
• Automotive services like programming transponder keys and replacing fobs

Factors that increase your earning potential

A locksmith’s salary depends on several key factors, like where you work, your experience and skillset, and whether you work for someone or own your own business. 

Experience

The more experience you have, the more you can charge for your services. Advancing from apprentice to journeyman and eventually to master locksmith can take almost a decade, but each step comes with greater responsibility, skill, and pay.

Specialties

Adding to your skill set can also command more pay, like installing smart home security systems, for example. Other common specialties include Residential, Commercial, Automotive, Safe and Vault specialist, and Access Control specialist. A combination of 1 or more of these is sure to put more money in your pocket.

Location

Where you work plays a big role in how much you can earn. Factors like cost of living, population density, and types of clients will impact salary ranges. 

For example, locksmiths in states with more government and commercial clients, like California and Georgia, earn a higher average annual salary than those in South Carolina and Kentucky.

Other benefits of becoming a locksmith

Financial stability is one of the attractive features of becoming a locksmith, but it’s not all you can get out of this rewarding career. Here are some of the most valuable benefits that you can expect as a locksmith.

• Health, dental, and vision insurance: It’s important to take care of yourself in any profession, and being a locksmith is no different. Having good health, dental, and vision coverage allows you to stay in shape throughout your career. Many companies offer insurance packages that include coverage for doctor visits, basic dental procedures, and eye exams.
• Retirement plans: You want to be comfortable in retirement and trust that you’ve got enough money to last through your golden years. Some locksmith companies give you the opportunity to contribute to a 401(k) and will match your contributions.
• Paid time off: Locksmiths can work pretty demanding hours, often outside of their control. Having the option to take time off, whether paid vacation or sick days, makes handling an unpredictable and challenging schedule more manageable.
• Job stability and career progression: A dedicated locksmith has the opportunity to grow quickly in the field and establish themselves as a real commodity. With the path from apprentice to master locksmith taking less than 10 years, you can be at the top of your craft with your whole career still in front of you.

Non-monetary benefits

• Trusted member of your community: A locksmith provides peace of mind to their clients, whether you’re unlocking a house or car, or helping install an advanced security system. The presence of a locksmith and the work you do is built on trust, and it makes people feel safer in their everyday lives.
• Solving problems: Being a locksmith comes with an itch only your skills can scratch. You are constantly solving various degrees of problems and helping people at the same time. Being a locksmith is challenging, and that’s the fun part.