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Locksmith or Safe Repairer

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What is a Locksmith or Safe Repairer?

Position Description Repair and open locks; make keys; change locks and safe combinations; and install and repair safes.

Locksmith or Safe Repairer Responsibilities

  • Move picklocks in cylinders to open door locks without keys.
  • Install alarm and electronic access systems.
  • Set up and maintain master key systems.
  • Install safes, vault doors, and deposit boxes according to blueprints, using equipment such as power drills, taps, dies, truck cranes, and dollies.
  • Open safe locks by drilling.
  • Insert new or repaired tumblers into locks to change combinations.

Locksmith or Safe Repairer Required Skills

When polled, Locksmiths and Safe Repairers say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:

Repairing: Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

  • Safe and Vault Mechanic
  • Lock Fitter
  • Vault Service Mechanic
  • Lock Setter
  • Safe and Vault Service Mechanic

Is There Job Demand for Locksmiths and Safe Repairers?

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 28,700 jobs in the United States for Locksmith or Safe Repairer. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Locksmith or Safe Repairer. There will be an estimated 2,500 positions for Locksmith or Safe Repairer per year.

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The states with the most job growth for Locksmith or Safe Repairer are Utah, Maryland, and North Dakota. Watch out if you plan on working in South Dakota, Vermont, or Wisconsin. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Locksmith or Safe Repairer Salary

The salary for Locksmiths and Safe Repairers ranges between about $24,270 and $65,870 a year.

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Locksmiths and Safe Repairers who work in Alaska, District of Columbia, or Connecticut, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Locksmiths and Safe Repairers in different U.S. states.

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $31,780
Alaska $68,260
Arizona $36,960
Arkansas $35,830
California $50,620
Colorado $44,880
Connecticut $60,010
Delaware $44,820
District of Columbia $62,600
Florida $40,900
Georgia $37,530
Hawaii $46,760
Idaho $33,480
Illinois $51,080
Indiana $41,940
Iowa $40,320
Kansas $51,990
Kentucky $34,490
Louisiana $40,120
Maine $45,410
Maryland $48,070
Massachusetts $51,660
Michigan $35,980
Minnesota $43,920
Mississippi $43,650
Missouri $44,740
Montana $39,420
Nebraska $39,800
Nevada $45,650
New Hampshire $44,260
New Jersey $46,550
New Mexico $31,710
New York $54,230
North Carolina $34,880
North Dakota $50,690
Ohio $39,760
Oklahoma $35,160
Oregon $37,810
Pennsylvania $49,410
Rhode Island $42,490
South Carolina $38,980
Tennessee $35,650
Texas $40,640
Utah $44,520
Virginia $46,430
Washington $37,740
West Virginia $34,260
Wisconsin $39,660

What Tools & Technology do Locksmiths and Safe Repairers Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Locksmiths and Safe Repairers may use on a daily basis:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Intuit QuickBooks
  • Scheduling software
  • Inventory tracking software
  • Mapping software
  • dESCO ESC

Becoming a Locksmith or Safe Repairer

Education needed to be a Locksmith or Safe Repairer:

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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Where do Locksmiths and Safe Repairers Work?

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Locksmiths and Safe Repairers work in the following industries:

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References:

Image Credit: Phasmatisnox via CC BY 3.0

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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