How long does it take to become a Key Holder?

It takes 2 years of professional experience to become a key holder. That is the time it takes to learn specific key holder skills, but does not account for time spent in formal education. If you include the normal education requirements to complete a college degree, then it takes 5 to 7 years years to become a key holder.

What is a key holder and how to become one

Updated June 25, 2024

6 min read

Quoted Experts

Cynthia Krom,

Sonya DiPalma Ph.D.

A key holder is responsible for securing and managing the keys to a building or business. They are typically trusted employees who have been given the authority to open and close the building. Key holders secure the premises, and oversee activities such as locking up at night, opening in the morning, and granting access to authorized personnel. They also maintain and organize the keys, keeping track of their location and uses.

How long does it takes to become a key holder?

It typically takes 4-6 years to become a key holder:

Years 1-4: Gaining work experience in duties such as customer service, sales, and cash handling. This can include roles like sales associate or cashier.
Years 5-6: Accumulating more experience and potentially receiving on-the-job training in key holder duties such as opening and closing procedures, key handling, and security protocols.

ScoreKey HolderUS Average

Salary

2.5

Avg. Salary $31,779

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

9.4

Growth Rate -6%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

8.4

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.65%

Asian 6.61%

Black or African American 8.55%

Hispanic or Latino 18.14%

Unknown 4.65%

White 61.39%

Gender

female 71.95%

male 28.05%

Age - 42

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42

Stress Level

9.4

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

5.2

Complexity Level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

4.6

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a Key Holder?

Pros

Higher pay compared to non-key holder positions
Flexibility in scheduling and hours
Additional training and development opportunities
Gain valuable experience in the retail or hospitality industry
Potential for career advancement within the company

Cons

Increased stress and pressure to perform well
Greater risk of theft or security breaches
Increased liability if something goes wrong while on duty
Potential for conflict with other employees or customers over access to restricted areas or equipment
Greater chance of being called in on short notice in case of emergencies or staffing shortages

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Key steps to become a key holder

Explore key holder education requirements

The educational requirements for a key holder are diverse, with a high school diploma being the most common, held by 51.67% of key holders. However, some key holders may hold an associate degree (24.91% a certificate (8.92% or even a bachelor's degree (0.42%). According to Michael Grossman Ph.D., Professor of Political Studies and International Studies at the University of Mount Union, "It's all about practical knowledge. Employers are less interested in your major or the classes you take. They want to see that you can do the work they need you to do." Therefore, internships and practical experiences are crucial for key holders to increase their earning potential.

Most common key holder degrees

High School Diploma

35.2 %

Bachelor's

31.8 %

Associate

20.7 %

Start to develop specific key holder skills

Key holders ensure optimum levels of customer service, supervise other associates, and maintain an orderly stock room and inventory. They also handle operations like cash control, staff supervision, and customer relations. As Sonya DiPalma Ph.D., Associate Professor, Chair, Academic Policies Committee, and Director of MCOM Internship Program at the University of North Carolina at Asheville, puts it, "Great employees listen well and ask good follow-up questions. Be versatile and adaptable. If you find some downtime between projects, ask how you may help with another project."

Skills	Percentages
Sales Floor	18.09%
Product Knowledge	10.69%
Visual Standards	9.07%
Bank Deposits	6.88%
Loss Prevention	6.52%

Complete relevant key holder training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New key holders learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a key holder based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real key holder resumes.

Gain additional key holder certifications

Key holder certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific key holder certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for key holders include Professional Credit Associate (PCA) and Automotive Sales Professional.

More About Certifications

Research key holder duties and responsibilities

A key holder's responsibilities include overseeing daily front-of-store operations to ensure customer satisfaction, maintaining store cleanliness, and executing small-scale visual merchandising tasks. They also handle cash management, including deposits and processing returns and exchanges. Additionally, key holders often mentor and train staff on corporate visual standards and customer service excellence. As Cynthia Krom, Associate Professor and Department Chair at Franklin and Marshall College's Business, Organizations, and Society Department, puts it, "Professional certifications matter. Find out what is available in your profession and take whatever courses or exams are needed to be at the top of your game."

Achieve and exceed store and company sales and KPI goals.
Manage monetary transactions and POS operations.
Used upselling techniques daily when selling gaming systems and accessories.
Maintain operational duties in the manager's absence including scheduling and review of KPI reports.

Prepare your key holder resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your key holder resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a key holder resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

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