Locksmith Salary: What Do Locksmiths Make in 2026?

The BLS reports a median annual wage of approximately $47,290 for locksmiths and safe repairers.

The bottom 10% earn approximately $30,000, while the top 10% earn more than $72,000.

Self-employed locksmiths in active markets with emergency service availability can earn substantially above the median through service call fees and premium emergency rates.

For a trades comparison, electricians earn a median of about $61,590 — reflecting how specialization and licensing can drive pay differences within the skilled trades.

Understanding your average net worth by age benchmarks can help self-employed locksmiths track whether their income is translating into long-term financial security.

For a complete breakdown of how any hourly wage in these ranges translates to annual, monthly, weekly, and after-tax take-home, see our hourly-to-annual salary conversion guides.

Locksmiths employed by security companies, property management firms, or retail key-copying chains earn predictable hourly wages.

Self-employed locksmiths set their own service rates and can earn more per job, particularly for emergency lockouts (often $75–$200 for a service call) and commercial high-security installations.

Like plumbers and other independent trade contractors, self-employed locksmiths must plan for self-employment tax and variable income — tools like emergency fund planning are especially important without the safety net of employer benefits.

Mastering salary negotiation — or, for independents, pricing strategy — can meaningfully lift annual income.

Licensing requirements for locksmiths vary by state. Some states require a state license, background check, and continuing education. Others have no licensing requirement beyond basic business registration.

Many locksmiths hold Certified Registered Locksmith (CRL) or Certified Professional Locksmith (CPL) credentials from the Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA), which signal professional standards to clients.

Tradespeople in regulated fields such as electricians often see how licensure directly correlates with earning power — the same dynamic applies here.

The BLS does not separately project employment for locksmiths, but demand is supported by continued need for residential and commercial security services.

Electronic access control and smart lock installation have expanded the scope of locksmith services into technology-oriented security work.

Locksmiths who expand into commercial electronic security may find their income approaching that of electrical engineers working in building systems, particularly for large-scale commercial projects.

As income grows, building a consistent retirement savings plan — including maximizing contributions to a IRA account — becomes essential for self-employed trade workers without employer-sponsored retirement plans.