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Becoming a locksmith in Kentucky is a great way to earn a living.
This is a job that has strong networking possibilities.
You can become a female locksmith working for a private company or an owner of a locksmithing firm yourself.
It all starts with deciding on where you need to go for training and certification, which is a requirement in Kentucky.
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From there, in order to freelance or start your own business as a locksmith in KY, you will need to establish a business with a license, and be bonded with business insurance.
Find out what else it takes to become a locksmith in the Blue Grass State.
Steps to Become a Locksmith in Kentucky
The path to becoming a locksmith in Kentucky involves a training program that results in certification and licensing.
This starts with finding a traditional school or an online platform that trains locksmiths.
Students can train within the state at a limited number of schools.
In addition, students may train out of state or online and receive their certificates.
Once the student graduates from a locksmith training program, they are eligible to start a business.
This involves finding an insurance company to provide bonding services and coverage, which is necessary for getting a business license and banking account in Kentucky.
At this point, with the training and certification, as well as insurance and business licensing, a locksmith is ready to face the hefty task of helping people who have locked themselves out of their vehicle or their keys and potentially kids and/or pets inside.
Locksmiths have a high demand in KY and throughout the Southeast.
There are fewer locksmiths and safe repairers, which is another alternative career option for a locksmith in Kentucky, compared to the rest of the nation.
This means there is high demand for individuals interested in working as a locksmith.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that Kentucky has a 0.20 to 0.40 location quotient compared to Florida, which has a location quotient of 2.50 to 3.50.
This also suggests there are fewer concentrated businesses working as locksmiths in Kentucky, which opens the door for competition.
Licensing Requirements to Become a Locksmith
In Kentucky, students might need to have a GED or high school diploma to set out on the route as a locksmith.
This is a requirement in order to start a post-secondary school program including technical or trade school.
However, online training programs for locksmithing do not have this same application requirement, which offers an alternative pathway.
To get certification as a locksmith and a certificate to use for proof of training, locksmiths in KY must attend a professional training program.
While a license is not a requirement for a job as a KY locksmith, this state does require locksmiths to have this training and certificate.
Since locksmiths are technically involved with breaking and entering vehicles, they must receive a certificate.
This, along with bonded insurance coverage, protects the locksmith and the public from a prevalence of fraudulent locksmiths.
Locksmiths are also required to carry business insurance to protect themselves and their customers, which is often $1 million in coverage.
Locksmith Programs
In Kentucky, there are not that many locksmith programs.
Lockmasters Security Institute, Inc. (LSI) in Nicholasville, KY provides locksmith training and locksmith courses by lockmasters.
Courses include professional locksmithing, door, and door hardware installation, and door and lock entry techniques.
The school is Kentucky Commission of Proprietary Education licensed and also offers GI Bill-approved training.
The training at LSI can take two to 10 days with some programs taking up to five weeks.
This locksmith training is in-person at the LSI facility.
The tuition is $5,200 and a $100 enrollment fee is required.
Students generally get a scholarship or a grant to attend the school, so interested applicants should contact the LSI financial aid office for more information.
Salary
The salary for a locksmith in Kentucky range is from $46,973 to $61,041, and the average annual salary is $54,145 for a certified locksmith.
The figures do not determine if the average salary is in the range for someone with one to five years of work experience or someone with a 20-year work history.
However, the job requires one to three years of related experience, such as being an auto mechanic or car repair.
This would enable someone to build up the tools and skills needed to provide safe and secure locksmithing services in Kentucky.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Lexington-Fayette | $50,988 |
| Louisville | $51,058 |
| Owensboro | $50,851 |
| Bowling Green | $49,013 |
| Covington | $52,948 |
| Hopkinsville | $48,730 |
| Frankfort | $49,499 |
| Henderson | $51,176 |
| Richmond | $50,476 |
| Jeffersontown | $50,555 |
Regional Salary in Kentucky
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | 30 | $43,030 | $20.69 | $54,200 | $30,200 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tools are needed to be a locksmith in school in Kentucky?
Students enrolled in a locksmithing school in Kentucky need to have a basic set of locksmithing tools.
What other jobs are open to locksmiths in Kentucky?
If someone is a locksmith with certification, they can pick locks at banks and businesses that need corporate locksmithing services.
They may also work with the general public and the city department to pick locks for vehicles and equipment.
A locksmith can also pick vault locks and safes, which is an asset that businesses and agencies often require.
Do I need previous experience to work as a professional locksmith in Kentucky?
Yes, students should have some experience with automobiles or security mechanisms, and understand the basics when working with locksmith tools.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Locksmith
Locksmith Training by State