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If you’re contemplating the idea of starting a career as a locksmith, it’s best if you find out more about what this profession entails before enrolling in a training program.
Although job descriptions vary depending on the specialization and the type of project, a locksmith is a person who installs and secures locks but also maintains, fixes, and opens them.
Locksmiths may work with locks, keys, and complex electronic security systems.
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Nowadays locksmiths also install and adjust locking systems using specialized equipment at stores and other commercial buildings.
Some of them also have security consultant abilities.
As a locksmith, you will use not only your hands but also your mind because you will be the one who will help people feel safe at their homes, business, and other environments.
Article Table of Contents
A Locksmith’s Typical Workday
Your typical workday as a locksmith may include duplicating keys, replacing locks, and making sure that security devices installed at homes, businesses, schools, and other buildings work properly.
The exact tasks that you will have to complete daily depend on your place of employment, your role within the company, your experience, and your area of expertise.
Most locksmiths report to a manager.
The Skills That Make a Good Locksmith
A locksmith is not responsible only for creating keys and installing locks on properties but also for writing reports that detail daily problems and should be prepared to contact the police if they notice any illegal activities.
As locking systems become more and more sophisticated, if you want to start a successful career in this profession you should be able to understand intricate locking manuals.
Communication skills are also key because you may have to help your customers solve various problems over the phone.
Locksmiths work in a variety of different settings, such as hotels, casinos, schools, stores but also residential properties where they interact with customers from different backgrounds.
Earning Prospects
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for locksmiths and safe repairers in the United States was $41,940 as of May 2019, which means that half of all workers in this profession earned less than this amount while half earned more.
Salaries vary depending on the level of certification, the place of employment, the region, and a variety of other factors.
According to the report published by BLS, the bottom 10 percent of workers in the profession earned less than $25,240 while the top 10 percent made more than $67,540.
Places of Employment
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the biggest employers for locksmiths and safe repairers are companies that provide investigation and security services.
Job openings may also occur at schools, colleges, or local government institutions.
Your job prospects as a locksmith will depend on your skills, certifications, experience but also on the region and the local economy.
Having some formal training and a certification will look good on your resume and will give you better chances of finding a good job.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Locksmith