Locksmiths and Safe Repairers
Repair and open locks, make keys, change locks and safe combinations, and install and repair safes.
Also called: Certified Professional Safe Technician (CPS) · CML (Certified Master Locksmith) · CMS (Certified Master Safecracker) · Forensic Locksmith · Lock Technician (Lock Tech) · Locksmith
Median pay (national)
$50,490
$34,750–$79,340 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
15,550
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
-8.3%
~1,700 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for locksmiths and safe repairers shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $79,340 versus $34,750 at the bottom 10% — 2.3x. The median of $50,490 leaves roughly 57% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change -8.3% from 2024 to 2034 — a projected decline, against +3% across all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 1,700 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 47 states with released data, District of Columbia pays the most for this role (median $74,470, +47% vs the national median), while Arkansas sits lowest at $36,930 — a 102% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Critical Thinking, Active Listening, Speaking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Mathematics
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
- Learning Strategies
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Insert new or repaired tumblers into locks to change combinations.
- Open safe locks by drilling.
- Disassemble mechanical or electrical locking devices, and repair or replace worn tumblers, springs, and other parts, using hand tools.
- Repair and adjust safes, vault doors, and vault components, using hand tools, lathes, drill presses, and welding and acetylene cutting apparatus.
- Install safes, vault doors, and deposit boxes according to blueprints, using equipment such as power drills, taps, dies, truck cranes, and dollies.
- Cut new or duplicate keys, using impressions or code key machines.
- Move picklocks in cylinders to open door locks without keys.
- Cut new or duplicate keys, using key cutting machines.
- Set up and maintain master key systems.
- Install door hardware, such as locks and closers.
Tools & technology
- Intuit QuickBooks
- dESCO ESC
- Inventory tracking software
- Mapping software
- Marathon Data Systems ServiceCEO
- Scheduling software
- WH Software InstaCode
- WH Software MasterKey
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
Knowledge areas
- Mechanical
- Customer and Personal Service
- Public Safety and Security
- English Language
- Administration and Management
- Law and Government
- Sales and Marketing
- Education and Training