- Locksmith & Home Security Technician
- Getting a career diploma in as little as 2 months.
- Gain experience with practical exercises and interactive assignments.
- Learn how to identify, create, and duplicate keys.
- Learn to work with several types of locks including safes, valuts, and auto.
- and more...
For almost as long as humans have been around to want to keep something private, there have been locksmiths.
Locksmithing is actually one of the oldest specialties anyone can have.
The profession is believed to have originated in Mesopotamia around 4,000 years ago.
Since then, the purpose of the job hasn’t changed but the tools used have.
Thanks to technology, there are some out-of-this-world ways to lock something up.
Being a locksmith, you won’t just be unlocking people’s house doors when they lose their keys.
Stay tuned as we walk through the profession and what it would take to get started.
Table of Contents
Do You Need a License to Become a Locksmith?
Depending on where you plan to be a locksmith can make a big difference to what you need to be official.
Some states do not require a license but others do.
Those states include Alabama, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.
If you’re in one of those states, you might also have to put in a year of work as a locksmith before applying for a license.
The application fee varies but could cost between $300 and $500 to get and renew.
Don’t be late either.
A fine of as much as $200 could be added to the renewal license if it isn’t done in a timely manner.
Taking a locksmithing course in any of those states would come with the necessary exam for a license.
Typically, maintaining a license requires continuing education courses every two years.
How Much is a Locksmith Course?
Depending upon where you take the locksmithing course, it could cost between $400 and $1,000 in total.
Along with location, the price of becoming an expert locksmith will be impacted by the venue.
Usually, online-only courses are cheaper than attending in person.
Don’t be fooled by the price difference, though.
The online courses may be cheaper but they come with all the materials in downloadable form and are taught by experts in the field.
If the price sounds like a lot, don’t be afraid to shop around for a variety of course choices.
There are schools that work with students in regard to financing and offer monthly payments instead of the whole thing up front.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Locksmith?
Course lengths vary according to everything that is included in the education.
For instance, there is a class offered in Texas that takes 48 hours of work to complete.
That sounds easy, at first.
However, 600 hours of apprenticeship is required to call yourself an expert.
Different states have unique requirements for what they want you to know and how much hands-on experience before taking the exam.
Other states have courses that are more comprehensive, as opposed to learning with your hands.
These locksmith courses take a few months and can be done at your own pace.
Is Becoming a Locksmith Worth It?
The average salary in the US for locksmiths is about $51,000 a year.
Of course, depending on where you live, that number could go in either direction.
Over the years, that number will continue to climb.
When you take into account the cost of education, it could be a very viable career.
Before spending the money on a course, though, please consult with a current career locksmith.
The more you learn about the trade, the better you’ll be able to decide if it’s for you or not.
Some locksmiths work on a regular schedule, others are on call.
There is an opportunity to branch out onto your own.
There’s a lot to consider, including interest, when deciding if it’s the best step.
Officially a Locksmith
When it boils down to it, here’s the short and the long of what it takes to call yourself a master locksmith:
- Locksmithing is one of humanity’s original careers.
- Being a locksmith has a lot of job security.
- This occupation choice can offer flexible schedules.
- Most states do not require a license to work as a locksmith.
- To be on the safe side, always check what your state requires before getting started with any course.
- States that require a license will also require so many on-the-job hours to get approved.
- Locksmithing might also be a good side hustle.
- Students spend up to $1,000 for a course on the subject.
- Classes in the art of locksmithing can be done online or in person.
- Courses can be completed in just a few months and are self-paced.
- On average, locksmiths make around $51,000 a year.
Affordable education options can be considered if you are thinking of the budget you have. But always research for the best quality education as well so you won’t suffer in the end.
The demand for locksmiths continues to grow as security concerns remain a priority for individuals and businesses alike. For me, the cost of being a locksmith will be worth it in the future as long as you have continuous learning.
I have various income streams besides being a locksmith. In addition to offering traditional lock and key services, I can specialize in areas such as automotive locksmithing, electronic security systems, or even safe maintenance and installation. It takes a lot of training but the cost was worth it.