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Locksmith

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AVG. SALARY

$40,940

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EDUCATION

High school preferred +

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JOB OUTLOOK

Stable

What They Do

Locksmiths and Safe Repairers Career Video

About This Career

Repairs and opens locks, makes keys, changes locks and safe combinations, and installs and repairs safes.

This career is part of the Manufacturing cluster Maintenance, Installation and Repair pathway.

A person in this career:

  • Cuts new or duplicate keys, using key cutting machines.
  • Cuts new or duplicate keys, using impressions or code key machines.
  • Disassembles mechanical or electrical locking devices, and repairs or replaces worn tumblers, springs, and other parts, using hand tools.
  • Opens safe locks by drilling.
  • Installs door hardware, such as locks and closers.
  • Inserts new or repaired tumblers into locks to change combinations.
  • Sets up and maintains master key systems.
  • Keeps records of company locks and keys.
  • Moves picklocks in cylinders to open door locks without keys.
  • Repairs and adjusts safes, vault doors, and vault components, using hand tools, lathes, drill presses, and welding and acetylene cutting apparatus.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

  • You would often handle loads up to 10 lbs., sometimes up to 20 lbs. You might do a lot of walking or standing, or you might sit but use your arms and legs to control machines, equipment or tools.
  • Work in this occupation involves use of protective items such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, a hard hat, or personal flotation devices
  • Lighting is either extremely bright or inadequate
  • Conditions are very hot (above 90 F) or very cold (under 32 F)
  • Work in this occupation involves using your hands to hold, control, and feel objects more than one-third of the time
  • Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time
  • Sound and noise levels are loud and distracting
  • Work in this occupation requires being outside most of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

  • Bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching
  • Seeing clearly up close
  • Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
  • Identifying and understanding the speech of another person
  • Using abdominal and lower back muscles repeatedly or over time without tiring

Work Hours and Travel

  • Irregular hours
  • Weekend work

Specialty and Similar Careers

Careers that are more detailed or close to this career:

  • Certified Master Locksmith (CML)
  • Certified Master Safecracker (CMS)
  • Forensic Locksmith — Analyses a lock to determine if it has been broken into, finding out the means of access, the tools used and the time and skill that went into play in order to aid law-enforcement agencies.
  • Lock Technician
  • Road Service Locksmith
  • Safe Technician
  • Certified Master Safe Cracker
  • Registered Safe Technician (RST)
  • Vault Technician

Contact

  • Email Support

  • 1-800-GO-TO-XAP (1-800-468-6927)
    From outside the U.S., please call +1 (424) 750-3900

Support


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