The median pay for Locksmiths and Safe Repairers is $51,320 a year ($24.68/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to fall 11.7% through 2035, with about 1,200 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 49-9094
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Locksmith and Safe Repairer in four numbers
- Median pay
- $51,320a year, or $24.68/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $36KTop 10% $79K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -11.7%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−11.7%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −11.7% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 1,20018,700 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202518.7K
- Projected 203516.5K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 18.7K Projected 2035 16.5K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school7.7%
- High school61.5%
- Certificate15.4%
- Some college7.7%
- Bachelor's3.9%
- Professional degree3.9%
Highest education held by locksmiths and safe repairers Segment Value Less than high school 7.7% High school 61.5% Certificate 15.4% Some college 7.7% Bachelor's 3.9% Professional degree 3.9%
Also advertised as: Certified Professional Safe Technician (CPS), CML (Certified Master Locksmith), CMS (Certified Master Safecracker), Forensic Locksmith, Lock Technician (Lock Tech), Locksmith.
Pay
How much do Locksmiths and Safe Repairers make?
Every locksmith and safe repairer in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$51,320
Middle half earn $43,160 to $64,560
- 10th
- $35,530
- 25th
- $43,160
- 75th
- $64,560
- 90th
- $79,400
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $35,530 |
| 25th | $43,160 |
| Median | $51,320 |
| 75th | $64,560 |
| 90th | $79,400 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $51,320
- Median hourly wage
- $24.68/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $55,470
- People employed
- 15,040
Versus all US occupations
At $51,320, the median for Locksmiths and Safe Repairers sits in line with the $50,980 median across all US occupations.
Versus installation, maintenance, and repair occupations
Inside the Installation, Maintenance, and Repair group, where the middle occupation pays $61,150, this is 16% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $79,400 or more while the bottom 10% earn $35,530, a gap of 2.2×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 24% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
District of Columbia pays the most at $76,740, and still leads at $69,826 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Locksmiths and Safe Repairers the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1District of Columbia | $76,740 | $69,826 | N/A |
| 2Connecticut | $69,280 | $66,866 | 120 |
| 3Hawaii | $64,490 | $58,653 | 50 |
| 4Delaware | $63,640 | $63,762 | 50 |
| 5New York | $61,830 | $57,292 | 960 |
| 6California | $61,010 | $55,103 | 2,060 |
| 7Maryland | $60,330 | $57,480 | 270 |
| 8Massachusetts | $59,420 | $56,185 | 300 |
| 9Minnesota | $59,070 | $59,896 | 220 |
| 10Alaska | $58,390 | $57,044 | 80 |
Job outlook
Is Locksmith and Safe Repairer a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -11.7% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Locksmiths and Safe Repairers | −11.7% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Locksmiths and Safe Repairers to change -11.7% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 2,200 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 1,200 openings are projected each year, 6.4% of the 18,700 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become a Locksmith and Safe Repairer
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Long-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Little or no preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as locksmiths and safe repairers.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)61.5%
- Post-Secondary Certificate15.4%
- Less than a High School Diploma7.7%
- Some College Courses7.7%
- Bachelor's Degree3.9%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 61.5% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 15.4% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 7.7% |
| Some College Courses | 7.7% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 3.9% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Locksmith and Safe Repairer do?
Repair and open locks, make keys, change locks and safe combinations, and install and repair safes.
Day-to-day tasks
- Cut new or duplicate keys, using impressions or code key machines.
- Insert new or repaired tumblers into locks to change combinations.
- Move picklocks in cylinders to open door locks without keys.
- Cut new or duplicate keys, using key cutting machines.
- Open safe locks by drilling.
- Set up and maintain master key systems.
- Install door hardware, such as locks and closers.
- Disassemble mechanical or electrical locking devices, and repair or replace worn tumblers, springs, and other parts, using hand tools.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather at least weekly.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely importantDealing with customers or the public is very important.
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Critical Thinking3.4
- Active Listening3.1
- Speaking3.1
- Reading Comprehension3.0
- Writing2.8
- Mathematics2.6
- Active Learning2.6
- Monitoring2.6
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 3.4 |
| Active Listening | 3.1 |
| Speaking | 3.1 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.0 |
| Writing | 2.8 |
| Mathematics | 2.6 |
| Active Learning | 2.6 |
| Monitoring | 2.6 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Repairing3.5
- Time Management3.3
- Service Orientation3.1
- Quality Control Analysis3.1
- Complex Problem Solving3.0
- Installation3.0
- Operation and Control3.0
- Troubleshooting3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Repairing | 3.5 |
| Time Management | 3.3 |
| Service Orientation | 3.1 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.1 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.0 |
| Installation | 3.0 |
| Operation and Control | 3.0 |
| Troubleshooting | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Accounting software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Calendar and scheduling software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Inventory management software
- Map creation software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Locksmith and Safe Repairer?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Locksmith and Safe Repairer |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 6 |
| Investigative | 2 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic6.1
- Conventional5.0
- Investigative2.1
- Social1.6
- Enterprising1.4
- Artistic1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Locksmith and Safe Repairer
O*NET related occupations
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Most earn $29K to $56K
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More installation, maintenance, and repair careers
Median annual pay, with locksmiths and safe repairers highlighted
- Aircraft Mechanic$79,870
- Millwright$65,700
- Industrial Machinery Mechanic$64,520
- Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist$61,770
- Medical Equipment Repairer$61,660
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer$61,010
- Automotive Body and Related Repairer$54,890
- Locksmith and Safe Repairer$51,320
- Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic$50,620
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Aircraft Mechanic | $79,870 |
| Millwright | $65,700 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $64,520 |
| Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist | $61,770 |
| Medical Equipment Repairer | $61,660 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer | $61,010 |
| Automotive Body and Related Repairer | $54,890 |
| Locksmith and Safe Repairer | $51,320 |
| Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic | $50,620 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Locksmith and Safe Repairer appears on
Questions
Locksmith and Safe Repairer: frequently asked questions
How much do Locksmiths and Safe Repairers make?
Locksmiths and Safe Repairers earn a median of $51,320 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), close to the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $24.68/hr. The middle half earn between $43,160 and $64,560. The top 10% earn $79,400 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Locksmith and Safe Repairer?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Locksmiths and Safe Repairers. BLS also lists long-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 61.5% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Locksmith and Safe Repairer a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 11.7% over 2025–2035, a loss of 2,200 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 1,200 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Locksmith and Safe Repairer do?
Repair and open locks, make keys, change locks and safe combinations, and install and repair safes. A core O*NET task: cut new or duplicate keys, using impressions or code key machines. Employers most often ask for Accounting software, Electronic mail software, Office suite software.
Which states pay Locksmiths and Safe Repairers the most?
The highest state medians for Locksmiths and Safe Repairers are District of Columbia ($76,740), Connecticut ($69,280), Hawaii ($64,490) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Locksmith and Safe Repairer?
O*NET scores Locksmiths and Safe Repairers highest on the Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.