Locksmiths and Safe Repairers: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Locksmiths and Safe Repairers fall under the Installation, Maintenance, and Repair category in the U.S. occupational classification. Locksmiths and Safe Repairers earn a median salary of $51,320 per year, ranking in the top 64% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -11.7% job growth through 2035, projected to lose jobs through 2035. Entry into this field typically requires an apprenticeship, technical certification, or postsecondary training, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do locksmiths and safe repairers earn?

The median annual wage for locksmiths and safe repairers is $51,320. That puts locksmiths and safe repairers at #525 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is locksmiths and safe repairers a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for locksmiths and safe repairers is -11.7%, projected to lose jobs through 2035. Employment is projected to move from approximately 18K positions in 2024 to 16K in 2034, a net change of <1K. A declining outlook does not mean the field is disappearing; it means automation, demographics, or substitution effects are shrinking the pool of openings. Students entering a declining field should plan for adjacent skills that transfer to growing roles.

What do locksmiths and safe repairers do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working locksmiths and safe repairers, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Set up and maintain master key systems.
2. 2.Unlock cars and other vehicles.
3. 3.Open safe locks by drilling.
4. 4.Insert new or repaired tumblers into locks to change combinations.
5. 5.Cut new or duplicate keys, using impressions or code key machines.
6. 6.Keep records of company locks and keys.
7. 7.Install alarm and electronic access systems.
8. 8.Repair and adjust safes, vault doors, and vault components, using hand tools, lathes, drill presses, and welding and acetylene cutting apparatus.

Top skills for locksmiths and safe repairers

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become locksmiths and safe repairer?

Locksmiths and Safe Repairers typically enter the field through a formal apprenticeship, technical certification, or vocational training program — a strong fit for teens who prefer hands-on learning over traditional college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Home Appliance Repairers
  $50,990 median
• Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
  $50,620 median
• Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
  $49,590 median
• Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other
  $49,230 median
• Motorcycle Mechanics
  $48,580 median
• Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles
  $48,420 median

Common questions parents ask about locksmiths and safe repairers