Repair and open locks, make keys, change locks and safe combinations, and install and repair safes.
Locksmiths and Safe Repairers
SOC: 49-9094 O*NET: 49-9094.00
Median Salary
$50,490
per year
Job Growth
📉 -8.3%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1.7
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Repair and open locks, make keys, change locks and safe combinations, and install and repair safes.
What does a Locksmiths and Safe Repairers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$34,750
10th percentile
Early Career
$40,650
25th percentile
Median
$50,490
50th percentile
Experienced
$64,330
75th percentile
Top Earners
$79,340
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$34,750
25th
$40,650
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$50,490
Mean: $55,200
75th
$64,330
90th
$79,340
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $44,590 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $40,650 and $64,330
- •Salary spread is 46.9% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 15,550 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:18,800
Top Industries
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services70.8%
Administrative and Support Services70.8%
Investigation and Security Services68.7%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-8.3%
Annual Openings:1,700
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)18,800
Current
2034 (Projected)17,200
-8.3%
-1,600
Employment Change
-8.3%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Locksmiths and Safe Repairers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 47 locations
California
2,130 jobs$61,5001.17x
Florida
1,480 jobs$47,6101.50x
Texas
1,260 jobs$44,7000.90x
New York
1,240 jobs$59,5601.29x
New Jersey
570 jobs$59,3001.33x
Illinois
560 jobs$47,3600.92x
North Carolina
520 jobs$42,1901.06x
Massachusetts
440 jobs$62,6701.20x
Virginia
440 jobs$57,9901.06x
Pennsylvania
430 jobs$53,7500.72x
Ohio
420 jobs$43,9600.76x
Washington
370 jobs$50,5201.03x
Georgia
360 jobs$61,6100.74x
Tennessee
360 jobs$45,1101.10x
Arizona
360 jobs$43,3201.11x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Repairing
100%
#2
Critical Thinking
94%
#3
Time Management
86%
#4
Service Orientation
80%
#5
Active Listening
74%
#6
Quality Control Analysis
66%
#7
Speaking
60%
#8
Troubleshooting
54%
#9
Reading Comprehension
46%
#10
Complex Problem Solving
40%
Skills Overview
Repairing
advanced5.0
100%
Critical Thinking
advanced4.7
94%
Time Management
intermediate4.3
86%
Service Orientation
intermediate4.0
80%
Active Listening
intermediate3.7
74%
Quality Control Analysis
intermediate3.3
66%
Speaking
intermediate3.0
60%
Troubleshooting
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Repairing
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Time Management
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Quality Control Analysis
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Troubleshooting
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Avionics Technicians67%
5 shared skills
Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers67%
5 shared skills
Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers67%
5 shared skills
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay67%
5 shared skills
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers67%
5 shared skills
Home Appliance Repairers67%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Time Management
- ✓Service Orientation
Learn on the Job:
- →Quality Control Analysis
- →Troubleshooting
- →Speaking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Time Management
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Repairing
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Service Orientation
- ★Repairing
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Active Listening
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Locksmiths and Safe Repairers
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Intuit QuickBooks
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Intuit QuickBooks
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🌤️
Location
MOSTLY OUTDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly outdoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
14
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (12)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)
1
Cut new or duplicate keys, using key cutting machines.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Keep records of company locks and keys.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping97% perform98%
3
Insert new or repaired tumblers into locks to change combinations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Move picklocks in cylinders to open door locks without keys.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Disassemble mechanical or electrical locking devices, and repair or replace worn tumblers, springs, and other parts, using hand tools.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Repair and adjust safes, vault doors, and vault components, using hand tools, lathes, drill presses, and welding and acetylene cutting apparatus.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Install safes, vault doors, and deposit boxes according to blueprints, using equipment such as power drills, taps, dies, truck cranes, and dollies.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Open safe locks by drilling.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Remove interior and exterior finishes on safes and vaults, and spray on new finishes.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Cut new or duplicate keys, using impressions or code key machines.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •50% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Locksmiths and Safe Repairers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Locksmiths and Safe Repairers professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value independence
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Locksmiths and Safe Repairers
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.92
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.62
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.54
Persistence
Very ImportantPersistence
Importance Level4.27
Analytical Thinking
Very ImportantAnalytical Thinking
Importance Level4.15
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.15
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
4.9
Attention to Detail
4.6
Dependability
4.5
Persistence
4.3
Analytical Thinking
4.2
Self-Control
4.2
Stress Tolerance
4.0
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.9
Initiative
3.9
Achievement/Effort
3.9
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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