Locksmith salary
BLS occupation: Locksmiths and Safe Repairers · Installation, maintenance and repair · data for May 2025
Median salary $51,320 a year, US
Median hourly pay $24.68 an hour
Middle half earn $43,160–$64,560 25th to 75th percentile
Locksmiths employed 15,040 −11.7% projected by 2035
How much does a locksmith make?
- The median locksmith salary in the US is $51,320 a year ($24.68 an hour): half of the 15,040 locksmiths BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $55,470.
- The middle half earn between $43,160 and $64,560. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $35,530 and the top 10% more than $79,400.
- That is about the same as the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- The District of Columbia pays locksmiths the most (median $76,740), followed by Connecticut ($69,280) and Hawaii ($64,490). Arkansas pays the least ($35,770).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in the District of Columbia, where the median is worth $69,826 in typical US prices, then Connecticut and Delaware.
- In 2 of the 91 metro areas with data, the median locksmith salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of locksmiths to shrink 11.7% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 1,200 openings a year. The typical entry education is a high school diploma or equivalent.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what locksmiths are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Locksmith salary range
Half of locksmiths earn between $43,160 and $64,560 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $35,530
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $43,160
Median Yearly pay: $51,320
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $64,560
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $79,400
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $35,530 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $43,160 |
| Median | $51,320 |
| Top 25% earn over | $64,560 |
| Top 10% earn over | $79,400 |
Locksmith salary by state
The District of Columbia pays locksmiths the most; Arkansas the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($51,320), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $76,740 median |
| Connecticut | $69,280 median |
| Hawaii | $64,490 median |
| Delaware | $63,640 median |
| New York | $61,830 median |
| California | $61,010 median |
| Maryland | $60,330 median |
| Massachusetts | $59,420 median |
| Minnesota | $59,070 median |
| Alaska | $58,390 median |
| Illinois | $58,110 median |
| Washington | $58,010 median |
| Rhode Island | $57,360 median |
| New Jersey | $57,000 median |
| West Virginia | $56,690 median |
| New Hampshire | $56,510 median |
| Montana | $56,200 median |
| Utah | $55,520 median |
| Michigan | $54,120 median |
| Georgia | $54,050 median |
| Virginia | $53,590 median |
| Kansas | $52,930 median |
| Maine | $52,670 median |
| Pennsylvania | $52,160 median |
| Kentucky | $51,120 median |
| Oregon | $50,450 median |
| Tennessee | $50,250 median |
| Missouri | $50,140 median |
| Florida | $49,120 median |
| Nebraska | $49,070 median |
| Wisconsin | $48,360 median |
| Ohio | $47,760 median |
| Indiana | $47,640 median |
| Colorado | $47,500 median |
| Nevada | $47,450 median |
| South Carolina | $46,560 median |
| Louisiana | $46,550 median |
| Iowa | $46,360 median |
| North Carolina | $45,900 median |
| Arizona | $44,460 median |
| North Dakota | $44,310 median |
| Texas | $43,860 median |
| Idaho | $43,460 median |
| Alabama | $43,340 median |
| Mississippi | $42,940 median |
| New Mexico | $41,920 median |
| Oklahoma | $38,680 median |
| Arkansas | $35,770 median |
Where locksmith pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Locksmiths' pay goes furthest in the District of Columbia once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $69,826 |
| Connecticut | $66,866 |
| Delaware | $63,762 |
| West Virginia | $63,343 |
| Minnesota | $59,896 |
| Montana | $59,380 |
| Kansas | $58,767 |
| Hawaii | $58,653 |
| Illinois | $58,134 |
| Maryland | $57,480 |
Locksmith pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $76,740 | $36.89 | $60,000 | $104,500 | – | $69,826 |
| Connecticut | $69,280 | $33.31 | $45,520 | $98,620 | 120 | $66,866 |
| Hawaii | $64,490 | $31.00 | $30,720 | $82,280 | 50 | $58,653 |
| Delaware | $63,640 | $30.60 | $45,710 | $93,450 | 50 | $63,762 |
| New York | $61,830 | $29.73 | $36,950 | $88,890 | 960 | $57,292 |
| California | $61,010 | $29.33 | $47,020 | $93,030 | 2,060 | $55,103 |
| Maryland | $60,330 | $29.00 | $47,720 | $81,290 | 270 | $57,480 |
| Massachusetts | $59,420 | $28.57 | $49,230 | $100,340 | 300 | $56,185 |
| Minnesota | $59,070 | $28.40 | $40,040 | $74,740 | 220 | $59,896 |
| Alaska | $58,390 | $28.07 | $44,050 | $114,440 | 80 | $57,044 |
| Illinois | $58,110 | $27.94 | $35,960 | $88,790 | 430 | $58,134 |
| Washington | $58,010 | $27.89 | $46,240 | $79,580 | 380 | $54,208 |
| Rhode Island | $57,360 | $27.58 | $41,600 | $86,030 | 80 | $56,081 |
| New Jersey | $57,000 | $27.40 | $46,220 | $79,770 | 480 | $52,387 |
| West Virginia | $56,690 | $27.25 | $31,970 | $98,160 | 50 | $63,343 |
| New Hampshire | $56,510 | $27.17 | $31,970 | $72,500 | 40 | $54,250 |
| Montana | $56,200 | $27.02 | $39,730 | $74,990 | 110 | $59,380 |
| Utah | $55,520 | $26.69 | $34,770 | $74,320 | 180 | $56,158 |
| Michigan | $54,120 | $26.02 | $27,100 | $72,370 | 230 | $56,248 |
| Georgia | $54,050 | $25.99 | $26,900 | $75,530 | 330 | $56,131 |
| Virginia | $53,590 | $25.76 | $34,870 | $76,200 | 430 | $53,005 |
| Kansas | $52,930 | $25.45 | $37,010 | $70,740 | 110 | $58,767 |
| Maine | $52,670 | $25.32 | $43,010 | $66,390 | 140 | $54,271 |
| Pennsylvania | $52,160 | $25.08 | $35,980 | $82,380 | 530 | $53,458 |
| Kentucky | $51,120 | $24.58 | $40,410 | $65,060 | 120 | $56,700 |
| Oregon | $50,450 | $24.25 | $38,480 | $75,130 | 250 | $48,810 |
| Tennessee | $50,250 | $24.16 | $34,630 | $72,330 | 340 | $54,697 |
| Missouri | $50,140 | $24.11 | $31,870 | $81,220 | 220 | $55,210 |
| Florida | $49,120 | $23.62 | $36,060 | $77,830 | 1,440 | $47,498 |
| Nebraska | $49,070 | $23.59 | $34,110 | $69,620 | 50 | $54,460 |
| Wisconsin | $48,360 | $23.25 | $37,960 | $74,310 | 130 | $51,395 |
| Ohio | $47,760 | $22.96 | $34,560 | $65,000 | 400 | $51,480 |
| Indiana | $47,640 | $22.90 | $28,900 | $61,610 | 250 | $51,045 |
| Colorado | $47,500 | $22.84 | $35,530 | $70,840 | 380 | $46,093 |
| Nevada | $47,450 | $22.81 | $37,630 | $67,700 | 170 | $47,460 |
| South Carolina | $46,560 | $22.38 | $25,570 | $79,910 | 140 | $49,665 |
| Louisiana | $46,550 | $22.38 | $24,460 | $76,740 | 190 | $52,774 |
| Iowa | $46,360 | $22.29 | $34,030 | $68,970 | 120 | $52,825 |
| North Carolina | $45,900 | $22.07 | $29,020 | $71,040 | 480 | $48,661 |
| Arizona | $44,460 | $21.38 | $37,120 | $73,220 | 260 | $44,161 |
| North Dakota | $44,310 | $21.30 | $37,700 | $67,010 | 70 | $49,809 |
| Texas | $43,860 | $21.09 | $18,230 | $59,280 | 1,420 | $45,190 |
| Idaho | $43,460 | $20.89 | $29,140 | $57,860 | 150 | $45,511 |
| Alabama | $43,340 | $20.84 | $29,690 | $57,880 | 200 | $48,794 |
| Mississippi | $42,940 | $20.64 | $30,440 | $63,310 | 80 | $49,383 |
| New Mexico | $41,920 | $20.15 | $28,670 | $62,540 | 140 | $45,460 |
| Oklahoma | $38,680 | $18.60 | $27,740 | $62,600 | 180 | $44,033 |
| Arkansas | $35,770 | $17.20 | $28,360 | $59,120 | 100 | $41,145 |
BLS does not publish pay for locksmiths in 3 states (too few workers to estimate reliably). After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Locksmith salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes locksmith pay: 91 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- New Haven, CT $78,160
- San Jose, CA $74,320
- Hartford, CT $70,980
- Atlantic City, NJ $70,120
- San Francisco, CA $65,370
- Honolulu, HI $64,970
- Fresno, CA $63,770
- Stockton, CA $62,930
- Riverside, CA $62,910
- Santa Maria, CA $62,050
Where the pay goes furthest
- New Haven, CT $74,752
- Atlantic City, NJ $70,931
- Hartford, CT $69,083
- San Jose, CA $67,305
- Syracuse, NY $63,306
- Milwaukee, WI $63,103
- Fresno, CA $62,423
- Nashville, TN $61,523
- Portland, ME $60,231
- Lafayette, LA $60,097
All 91 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Haven, CT | $78,160 | 30 | $74,752 | 31% |
| San Jose, CA | $74,320 | 90 | $67,305 | 62% |
| Hartford, CT | $70,980 | 40 | $69,083 | 34% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $70,120 | 60 | $70,931 | 35% |
| San Francisco, CA | $65,370 | 340 | $56,542 | 63% |
| Honolulu, HI | $64,970 | 40 | $58,552 | 56% |
| Fresno, CA | $63,770 | 50 | $62,423 | 39% |
| Stockton, CA | $62,930 | 30 | $59,883 | 46% |
| Riverside, CA | $62,910 | 170 | $59,103 | 48% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $62,050 | 30 | $57,032 | 63% |
| New York, NY | $61,830 | 960 | $54,929 | 69% |
| Boston, MA | $61,500 | 230 | $56,805 | 58% |
| Portland, ME | $61,350 | 70 | $60,231 | 45% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $61,170 | 40 | $63,103 | 30% |
| Baltimore, MD | $60,850 | 130 | $58,237 | 38% |
| Washington, DC | $60,720 | 300 | $55,766 | 48% |
| Syracuse, NY | $60,610 | 30 | $63,306 | 32% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $59,940 | 30 | $55,611 | 53% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $59,410 | 160 | $56,677 | 35% |
| Nashville, TN | $59,270 | 110 | $61,523 | 37% |
| Anchorage, AK | $58,340 | – | $55,341 | 39% |
| Albany, NY | $58,230 | 50 | $58,484 | 35% |
| Chicago, IL | $58,110 | 320 | $56,093 | 45% |
| Seattle, WA | $58,110 | 210 | $52,289 | 46% |
| Atlanta, GA | $58,000 | 210 | $57,966 | 38% |
| San Diego, CA | $57,660 | 200 | $51,534 | 62% |
| Providence, RI | $57,360 | 90 | $56,361 | 45% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $57,320 | 760 | $50,473 | 61% |
| Oxnard, CA | $57,100 | 40 | $51,658 | 62% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $57,000 | 270 | $55,580 | 40% |
| Sacramento, CA | $56,940 | 90 | $53,380 | 48% |
| Spokane, WA | $56,520 | 30 | $56,325 | 32% |
| Detroit, MI | $56,180 | 100 | $56,013 | 32% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $55,530 | 90 | $55,052 | 36% |
| Palm Bay, FL | $55,490 | 40 | $55,487 | 41% |
| Rochester, NY | $55,410 | 40 | $57,103 | 33% |
| Trenton, NJ | $54,310 | 50 | $52,636 | 56% |
| Buffalo, NY | $54,070 | 50 | $56,415 | 32% |
| Kansas City, MO | $53,930 | 130 | $58,276 | 34% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $53,080 | 30 | $53,806 | 33% |
| Durham, NC | $53,060 | 30 | $54,380 | 37% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $52,990 | 90 | $54,104 | 43% |
| Wichita, KS | $52,930 | 30 | $59,508 | 27% |
| Lafayette, LA | $52,410 | 30 | $60,097 | 32% |
| Miami, FL | $51,470 | 400 | $45,088 | 62% |
| Cape Coral, FL | $51,440 | 50 | $50,259 | 43% |
| Richmond, VA | $51,260 | 90 | $52,382 | 40% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $50,660 | 40 | $55,805 | 32% |
| St. Louis, MO | $50,510 | 80 | $53,119 | 34% |
| Portland, OR | $50,270 | 160 | $47,685 | 43% |
| North Port, FL | $50,200 | 30 | $49,015 | 50% |
| Columbus, OH | $49,890 | 60 | $52,258 | 37% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $49,820 | 30 | $52,142 | 39% |
| Allentown, PA | $49,710 | 30 | $49,726 | 44% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $49,660 | 120 | $49,918 | 41% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $49,180 | 80 | $51,392 | 37% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $49,150 | 80 | $51,536 | 37% |
| Orlando, FL | $48,980 | 270 | $48,295 | 47% |
| Denver, CO | $48,560 | 200 | $45,906 | 47% |
| Memphis, TN | $48,430 | 80 | $52,539 | 35% |
| Lakeland, FL | $48,050 | 50 | $49,464 | 45% |
| Reno, NV | $48,010 | 40 | $47,528 | 52% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $48,000 | 50 | $47,663 | 44% |
| New Orleans, LA | $47,770 | 50 | $51,589 | 40% |
| Austin, TX | $47,740 | 110 | $48,682 | 40% |
| Tampa, FL | $47,720 | 200 | $47,299 | 50% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $47,610 | 130 | $50,290 | 37% |
| Greensboro, NC | $47,520 | 40 | $51,171 | 36% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $47,450 | 120 | $47,348 | 44% |
| Dallas, TX | $47,370 | 390 | $45,950 | 42% |
| Raleigh, NC | $47,200 | 60 | $48,086 | 42% |
| Knoxville, TN | $46,920 | 40 | $50,687 | 44% |
| Fargo, ND | $46,780 | 40 | $51,480 | 28% |
| Killeen, TX | $46,500 | 60 | $51,025 | 34% |
| Naples, FL | $46,240 | 30 | $44,806 | 68% |
| San Antonio, TX | $45,900 | 110 | $48,461 | 37% |
| Tucson, AZ | $45,800 | 40 | $47,267 | 39% |
| Charlotte, NC | $45,370 | 140 | $46,606 | 46% |
| Eugene, OR | $45,370 | 40 | $44,670 | 47% |
| Deltona, FL | $45,350 | 30 | $45,639 | 47% |
| Lubbock, TX | $44,630 | 40 | $48,874 | 36% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $44,460 | 180 | $43,033 | 46% |
| Boise, ID | $43,470 | 70 | $44,181 | 53% |
| Cleveland, OH | $39,960 | 100 | $42,545 | 43% |
| Birmingham, AL | $39,140 | 50 | $42,709 | 43% |
| Tulsa, OK | $38,920 | 70 | $43,625 | 42% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $38,390 | 70 | $42,463 | 43% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $37,980 | 70 | $39,750 | 47% |
| El Paso, TX | $37,790 | 40 | $42,030 | 48% |
| Houston, TX | $37,250 | 360 | $37,768 | 53% |
| Little Rock, AR | $37,190 | 40 | $41,616 | 40% |
What the median locksmith salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $51,320 |
| Month | $4,277 |
| Every two weeks | $1,974 |
| Week | $987 |
| Hour | $24.68 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a locksmith: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | Long-term on-the-job training |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | −11.7% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 1,200 |
| Self-employed | 18.5% |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs.
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|---|---|---|
| HVAC technician | $61,010 | Postsecondary certificate |
| Lineman | $95,320 | High school diploma |
| Diesel mechanic | $61,770 | High school diploma |
| Aircraft mechanic | $79,870 | Postsecondary certificate |
| Maintenance technician | $49,590 | High school diploma |
| Auto mechanic | $50,620 | Postsecondary certificate |
| Millwright | $65,700 | High school diploma |
Questions about locksmith pay
How much does a locksmith make an hour?
The median is $24.68 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $17.08 and the top 10% over $38.17.
How much does a locksmith make a month?
About $4,277 a month before taxes at the median salary of $51,320, or $1,974 every two weeks.
What state pays locksmiths the most?
The District of Columbia, with a median of $76,740. Connecticut ($69,280), Hawaii ($64,490), Delaware ($63,640) and New York ($61,830) follow.
Where do locksmiths make the most after cost of living?
The District of Columbia: its median of $76,740 is worth $69,826 at typical US prices. Connecticut, Delaware and West Virginia come next.
How much do entry-level locksmiths make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of locksmiths earn under $35,530 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $43,160, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a locksmith?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a high school diploma or equivalent. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: long-term on-the-job training.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 49-9094 (Locksmiths and Safe Repairers). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.