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Do you wish to become a locksmith in West Virginia with the right tools of the trade, including training and certification?
While you are not required to be certified as a locksmith, this is a valuable way to start off on the right foot in this trade.
You should learn all the methods and how to use locksmith tools successfully from experts in the field.
This sets you up for success, whether you plan to work for a company as a locksmith or to go out on your own as a freelance locksmith in West Virginia.
Earn your accredited, affordable Locksmith career diploma online with Penn Foster in as little as 2 months!
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Steps to Become a Locksmith in West Virginia
To become a locksmith in West Virginia does not require anyone to follow a rigorous list of steps like their neighbor, Virginia.
However, using the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services recommendations, a locksmith should be at least 18 years old, and be a US citizen or legal resident alien.
There are many job titles related to locksmithing that could be used when searching for a training program and job in West Virginia.
These include lock technician, boxman, safe technician, lock installer, or physical security technician.
Choose to work as a locksmith or in one of these associated job types for your career.
You can work as a freelance locksmith part-time or as a full-time business owner of a locksmith and safe repair company.
The demand for locksmiths in West Virginia is particularly high near the US Capitol in the District of Columbia (Washington, DC).
This is where locksmiths from WV earn more money and have more work opportunities.
Licensing Requirements to Become a West Virginia Locksmith
Locksmith training is recommended but not required or offered throughout the state.
If you want to get a license in West Virginia to be able to support your locksmith operations, there are no options for this type of license in this state.
There are also no required permits for locksmiths in WV.
But, if you want to work with a state agency or state vendor, you are required to obtain a special permit or license.
This can be applied for using the State of West Virginia’s online WV One Stop Business Portal.
Locksmith Programs
In West Virginia, there are not many locksmith programs for students interested in training to become a locksmith.
However, there are more than 100 businesses in Virginia that offer certified 18-hour locksmith training courses.
Consider traveling across the state line to earn a certificate as a locksmith.
This training and certification will help you find a job as a locksmith in West Virginia.
You will also learn the ropes about setting up your own business as a WV locksmith by the time you complete a certified training program.
Salary
The average salary for a locksmith in West Virginia in Weirton is $52,826 based on a range of $39,459 to $65,680 annually.
Compare this to the average salary in these other WV cities:
- Beckley—a median salary of $48,887 out of a range of $36,516 to $60,783
- Charleston—a median salary of $49,320 out of a range of $36,840 to $61,321
- Fairmont—a median salary of $53,008 out of a range of $39,594 to $65,906
- Huntington—a median salary of $48,362 out of a range of $36,124 to $60,130
- Morgantown—a median salary of $53,008 out of a range of $39,594 to $65,906
- Parkersburg—a median salary of $48,080 out of a range of $35,914 to $59,780
- Wheeling—a median salary of $53,008 out of a range of $39,594 to $65,906
| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Charleston | $49,320 |
| Huntington | $48,362 |
| Parkersburg | $48,080 |
| Wheeling | $53,008 |
| Morgantown | $53,008 |
| Weirton | $52,826 |
| Fairmont | $53,008 |
| Beckley | $48,887 |
| Clarksburg | $47,647 |
| Martinsburg | $60,003 |
Frequently Asked Questions
In West Virginia, where is the most populated area for locksmiths?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the seventh highest employed metropolitan area for locksmiths and safe repairers in the US at large is in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV.
Here are 270 locksmiths employed at a rate of 0.09 per thousand jobs.
This is also the region with the highest hourly wage compared to the other top 10 metropolitan areas, paying WV locksmiths $31.97 an hour and $66,500 a year.
What do West Virginia locksmiths need to start a business?
A locksmith may want to have a West Virginia business license that permits them to operate in their local jurisdiction.
The application should be filed on the WV One Stop Business Portal.
This ensures that the business is tax applicable and able to apply for business loans and grants, as well as Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and Requests for Quotes (RFQs) in order to work on government bids.
This is the basic requirement to start a business as a locksmith in West Virginia.
Which region pays the most for locksmiths working in West Virginia?
While the BLS does not have data for most West Virginia locksmiths and safe repairers, there are some clues to this question.
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WW metropolitan area is the third highest paying metropolitan region in the US, behind Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA (1st) and Fresno, CA (2nd).
The annual mean wage for locksmiths in this WV metro area is $66,500 and $31.97 an hour.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Locksmith
Locksmith Training by State