- 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...
So, you’re interested in becoming a locksmith in Pennsylvania?
This is an excellent choice since locksmiths in Pennsylvania earn a good living, and you can get into the field quickly.
In addition, Pennsylvania is one of the easiest states to set up a locksmithing business or become an apprentice at an existing shop.
Locksmiths are trained professionals installing, replacing, repairing, and inspecting locking systems for businesses and residences.
They also cut duplicate and new keys for various locks and assist when an individual is locked out.
Keep reading if you’re interested in becoming a locksmith in Pennsylvania!
Table of Contents
Steps to Become a Locksmith in Pennsylvania
The requirements for becoming a locksmith in Pennsylvania are light, so you can enter the field quickly.
However, the basic steps include the following:
Step One: Complete the Six-Day Fundamental Training
The Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA)offers a six-day fundamental locksmith training course, which can be taken in person or online.
The course content covers the basics of locksmithing and the tools required to complete jobs.
Step Two: Investigate Recommended Classes
While no school requirements exist to become a locksmith in Pennsylvania, you can take specialty courses to expand your business and industry knowledge.
This makes you a more credible locksmith.
You may even be able to find free classes near your location.
Step Three: Get an Apprenticeship
Emergency roadside assistance providers or hardware store owners can give you or point you in the right direction to earn an apprenticeship.
This first-hand experience prepares you for the job search and official hiring while giving you the necessary experience to run a locksmithing business in the future.
Also, many owners and providers hire apprentices after completing the training.
Step Four: Search for Jobs
Job opportunities can arise in even the strangest circumstances when you least expect them, so always be prepared.
To start your search, navigate to the Safe and Vault Technicians Association (SAVTA), ALOA constantly posts job openings, or you can ask course instructors for assistance.
While searching for full-time work, you could also seek temporary positions to gain additional experience and start earning money.
Licensing Requirements to Become a Locksmith
The good news about becoming a locksmith in Pennsylvania is you aren’t required to do anything special to start a business.
The bad news is that you aren’t required to do anything special to set up a business.
This is good because you can set up the locksmithing business fast, but bad because any individual can call themselves a locksmith.
There are instances where unsavory characters create locksmithing businesses to scam customers out of money, tarnishing the entire industry’s reputation.
However, by becoming a locksmith, you can change that perception!
Locksmith Programs
Enrolling in a locksmith program is advisable to fine-tune your craft.
Some of the top programs in the state include:
ALOA
ALOA offers a variety of courses depending on which certification type you want.
The organization offers five certifications, including:
- Certified Registered Locksmith
- Certified Master Locksmith
- Certified Professional Locksmith
- Certified Professional Safe Technician
- Certified Master Safe Technician
The more schooling you receive, the higher your certification, with CMST being at the top.
Penn Foster
As an online-only program, Penn Forster offers a Locksmith & Home Security Technician training course, allowing you to work and learn simultaneously without needing to travel to a physical location.
Topics in the program include key making, working with several lock types like vaults, safes, automobile locks, and electronic safety.
In addition, the course provides a locksmith’s kit with basic tools, costing around $900.
The average program completion time is seven months, but the material can be fast-tracked in five months.
Stratford Locksmith Training
The Stratford Career Institute offers a locksmith training program for around $700.
This in-depth program helps you gain the skills necessary to work and be successful in the field.
Students learn topics ranging from basic information about the required tools to advanced locksmithing concepts.
Also, the course provides all the necessary details for owning a locksmithing business.
The curriculum is divided into four parts: introduction to Locksmithing, Professional Locksmithing Techniques Volume 1, Professional Locksmithing Techniques Volume 2, and Professional Locksmithing Techniques Volume 3.
4 Best Locksmith Schools in Pennsylvania
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| The Locksmith School | PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA |
| ALOA | Online |
| Penn Foster | Online |
| Stratford Locksmith Training | Online |
Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national annual average income for a locksmith is $47,800, with pay ranging from $29,000 to $70,000.
Comparatively, in Pennsylvania, the average locksmith’s income is $53,700.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Locksmiths in Pennsylvania
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Allentown | $54,068 |
| Greensburg | $50,688 |
| Altoona | $49,294 |
| York | $52,351 |
| Harrisburg | $52,351 |
| Bethlehem | $54,068 |
| Lancaster | $52,565 |
| Erie | $49,562 |
| Lebanon | $52,083 |
| Philadelphia | $56,644 |
Regional Salary in Pennsylvania
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 250 | $61,670 | $29.65 | $83,740 | $42,120 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 100 | $54,990 | $26.44 | $76,480 | $35,570 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Good read! I will look into the programs listed and maybe decide on what is best for me. Hopefully, I can manage my time better.
Being a locksmith here in Pennsylvania is a continuous job since every day we encounter different problems and solutions for our customers.
I was just looking into skilled trades, and locksmithing sounds like a great career choice! This post makes the process for getting licensed in Pennsylvania so much clearer—definitely excited to start the training!