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Residential, commercial & automotive
Locksmith
A trade you can run alone out of one van.
Typical pay
$38k-$85k
How you get in
Apprenticeship or short course plus state licensing
Outlook
Steady; automotive and access control are the growth
Locksmiths install, repair and bypass locks and access control systems. Automotive key programming and commercial access control have largely replaced simple lockouts as where the money is.
A day in the life
- 8:00aCheck the schedule, stock key blanks and cylinders
- 8:30aRekey a house for a new homeowner
- 10:30aCar lockout, then program a replacement fob
- 12:30pLunch in the van
- 1:30pCommercial job — install panic hardware and a master key system
- 4:00pQuote an access control upgrade, invoice the day
How to get in
Work for a locksmith shop
Duration
1-2 years
Cost
$0 — paid
Credential
State locksmith license where required, plus bonding
- Get hired as a helper at an established shop
- Learn rekeying, master keying and hardware installation
- Get licensed and bonded — most states require a background check
- Add automotive key programming, which is where the margin is
Training course then independent
Duration
3-9 months
Cost
$3,000-$15,000 including tools
Credential
Certificate plus state license and bonding
- Complete a locksmith training program or ALOA coursework
- Buy a starter tool set and key machine
- Get licensed, bonded and insured
- Start mobile — a van is the entire premises
Specialize in access control
Duration
1-3 years after the basics
Cost
$2,000-$15,000 in equipment and certification
Credential
Manufacturer access control certifications
- Master mechanical locksmithing first
- Add electronic access control, keypads and networked systems
- Get certified by the manufacturers you install
- Commercial contracts and service agreements beat one-off lockouts
What people love
- · Very low startup cost for your own business
- · Automotive key work has excellent margins
- · Genuinely interesting problem-solving
- · Emergency calls command premium rates
What wears people down
- · On-call nights and weekends for lockouts
- · Background checks and bonding are required
- · Key programming equipment is expensive to keep current
- · Competing with dealer and app-based services