🔧 Skilled Trades ↑ 5% growth · Average

Locksmith

Locksmiths install, repair, and open locks — from house lockouts to high-security commercial access control systems. It's a trade you can learn quickly, run as a small business, and apply across residential, automotive, and commercial markets with year-round demand.

$46,710 Median Salary
29K US Jobs
3–12 months Training
$1,500–$5,000 Typical Cost
Get Free Program Info → Find Schools

💰 Salary & Earning Potential

Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Figures represent national averages — local wages vary by state, city, and employer.

Entry Level
$33,000
Median
$46,710
Experienced
$65,000
Want your state's salary? Select a state below to see local wage data, demand, and training programs.

📈 Job Outlook

5%
Projected Growth (10yr)
Average
29K
Total US Jobs
Active positions nationwide
ALOA Certification + State License
Required Credential
ALOA Certification + State License (most states)

🎓 Training & Education

Typical Program
Vocational Certificate or Apprenticeship
Program Length
3–12 months
Typical Tuition
$1,500–$5,000
Work Setting
Residential, automotive, commercial, on-call/mobile
🏆 Credential Required: ALOA Certification + State License (most states)

☀️ Day in the Life

A typical day as a Locksmith involves working closely with clients and colleagues in a Residential environment. You'll apply your training daily while building expertise and advancing your career.

⚖️ Pros & Cons

Advantages

  • ✅ Strong job security
  • ✅ Rewarding work
  • ✅ Clear career progression
  • ✅ Growing demand

Challenges

  • ⚠️ Can be physically demanding
  • ⚠️ May require ongoing certification
  • ⚠️ Entry-level wages vary by region

🗺️ Locksmith by State

See local salary data, licensing requirements, and schools in your state:

FL FloridaGA GeorgiaTX TexasCA CaliforniaNY New YorkNC North CarolinaIL IllinoisOH OhioPA PennsylvaniaAZ ArizonaAL AlabamaAR ArkansasLA LouisianaMS MississippiSC South CarolinaTN TennesseeVA VirginiaWV West VirginiaKY KentuckyMD MarylandDE DelawareNJ New JerseyCT ConnecticutMA MassachusettsRI Rhode IslandNH New HampshireVT VermontME MaineMI MichiganIN IndianaWI WisconsinMN MinnesotaIA IowaMO MissouriND North DakotaSD South DakotaNE NebraskaKS KansasOK OklahomaCO ColoradoMT MontanaWY WyomingID IdahoUT UtahNV NevadaNM New MexicoWA WashingtonOR OregonAK AlaskaHI HawaiiDC Washington DC