How hard is it to become a locksmith?

It is not necessarily difficult to become a locksmith. To become a locksmith, you need to complete some sort of training. This can include a training program, on-the-job training, or completing an official apprenticeship.

How to start a locksmith business?

To start a locksmith business, you need to purchase equipment, decide on your scope, and market your business. Starting with a business plan can give you a clear idea of where you see your business going and the steps you need to get there.

What companies hire locksmiths?

Companies in retail, government, and locksmiths hire locksmiths. Locksmiths typically have completed some training or an internship before they begin looking for work in their field. There are some businesses like Home Depot and Lowe's that may hire locksmiths who can use their knowledge to help customers with any questions that may arise. The largest employer of locksmiths in the United States is the US Government, which hires locksmiths to aid the FBI and other organizations by helping train individuals on how to work through many locks.

How To Become A Locksmith: What It Is and Career Path

What is a locksmith and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Locksmiths are skilled tradesmen responsible for installing, replacing, or maintaining locks. They provide keys and duplicates or install entire security systems upon demand. They carry out reparations, fix jammed doors, replace locks after burglaries, advise on security measures, and ensure security devices function correctly.

Doing an apprenticeship is a great way to get started as a locksmith. You might opt for formal training in a specialty area, but a GED will usually suffice to start working in this position.

You might work as a freelance tradesperson or work for a maintenance company and report to a manager. You need to know your way around cutting keys and interpreting master key systems. You will use a variety of tools and you will need to be fully aware of safety regulations that apply to your job.

ScoreLocksmithUS Average

Salary

3.2

Avg. Salary $40,723

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.7

Growth rate 8%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.2

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.95%

Asian 3.33%

Black or African American 4.06%

Hispanic or Latino 16.56%

Unknown 4.40%

White 70.70%

Gender

female 10.91%

male 89.09%

Age - 47

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 - 47

Stress level

6.7

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.6

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

2.9

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a locksmith

Explore locksmith education requirements

Most common locksmith degrees

High School Diploma

38.7 %

Associate

20.3 %

Bachelor's

19.5 %

Start to develop specific locksmith skills

Skills	Percentages
Hand Tools	16.39%
Door Locks	13.66%
Door Hardware	5.68%
Emergency Calls	5.63%
Customer Service	5.16%

Complete relevant locksmith training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New locksmiths 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 locksmith based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real locksmith resumes.

Gain additional locksmith certifications

Locksmith 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 locksmith certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for locksmiths include Certified Master Locksmith (CML) and OSHA Safety Certificate .

More About Certifications

Research locksmith duties and responsibilities

Attain high security certifications for ASSA, Medeco and Primus.
Manage overflow and on-demand jobs for other locksmiths throughout central Indiana.
Fabricate tools and jigs that are not available within the company to assist in accomplishing difficult and technical assignments.
Install and maintain CCTV systems.

Prepare your locksmith resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your locksmith 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 locksmith resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable locksmith resume templates

Build a professional locksmith resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your locksmith resume.

Apply for locksmith jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a locksmith job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do locksmiths rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Locksmith reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on May 2020

Pros

First of all I love it because it's a job that I can perform I could be 80 90 years old and still performed Plus it's always something new as for me it's not a boring job cuz I love to do locksmith I just love it.

Cons

There is nothing that I don't like.