Occupation salary profile

Locksmiths and Safe Repairers

SOC 49-9094 BLS OEWS May 2025

Repair and open locks, make keys, change locks and safe combinations, and install and repair safes.

National median · BLS
$51,320
▲ +1.64% YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$55,470
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
15,040
Jobs (BLS)
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Pay range for Locksmiths and Safe Repairers

Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.

Percentile All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay$35,530
25th$43,160
Median (50th)$51,320
75th$64,560
90th — top pay$79,400

Hourly ⇄ annual pay

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Based on hrs/week × weeks/year = 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035

Job outlook for Locksmiths and Safe Repairers

BLS projects employment of locksmiths and safe repairers to decline 11.7% from 2025 to 2035, while employment across all occupations grows 3.5%. About 1,200 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.

Jobs 2025 → 2035
18,700 → 16,500
-2,200 jobs
Projected change
-11.7%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
1,200
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
No related experience required
On-the-job training
Long-term on-the-job training
Self-employed
18.5% of workers (2025)
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 2)
Very Little to Some Preparation Needed. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Fastest-declining jobs → Best-paying jobs that need a high school diploma →

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–2035

Skills & tools

Skills needed for Locksmiths and Safe Repairers

How important each skill and knowledge area is for this job, rated by O*NET on a 1–5 scale from surveys of workers and occupational analysts.

Top skills
  • Repairing3.5
  • Critical Thinking3.4
  • Time Management3.3
  • Active Listening3.1
  • Quality Control Analysis3.1
  • Service Orientation3.1
  • Speaking3.1
  • Complex Problem Solving3.0
  • Installation3.0
  • Operation and Control3.0
Top knowledge areas
  • Mechanical4.2
  • Customer and Personal Service4.0
  • Public Safety and Security3.8
  • English Language3.5
  • Administration and Management3.5
  • Law and Government3.4
  • Sales and Marketing3.3
  • Education and Training3.3
Software and technology used
Intuit QuickBooksMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WorddESCO ESCInventory tracking softwareMapping softwareMarathon Data Systems ServiceCEOScheduling softwareWH Software InstaCodeWH Software MasterKey

Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).

Source: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.

About the job

What locksmiths and safe repairers do

  • 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.
  • Keep records of company locks and keys.
Also called
CML (Certified Master Locksmith)Lock Technician (Lock Tech)LocksmithSafe Technician (Safe Tech)Certified Professional Safe Technician (CPS)CMS (Certified Master Safecracker)Forensic LocksmithRoad Service LocksmithRST (Registered Safe Technician)Vault Technician (Vault Tech)
More job titles for this occupation (19)
Access Control Technician (Access Control Tech)Commercial Vault AssociateKey MakerKey Technician (Key Tech)KeysmithLock ExpertLock FitterLock SetterLockmakerLocksmith Tech (Locksmith Technician)Safe and Vault Service MechanicSafe ExpertSafe InstallerSafe MechanicSafe Service MechanicTime Lock ExpertVault InstallerVault MechanicVault Service Mechanic

Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.