What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Locksmiths and Safe Repairers in the U.S. earn more than $51,320 a year — the middle 80% land between $35,530 and $79,400. About 15,040 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Locksmiths and Safe Repairers”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Craft and related trades workers earn about ₹16,825 a month on average — around ₹2.0 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$51,320typical pay / year
15,040people in this work
$79,400+top 10% earn
₹2.0 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Make1
Make keys
+Cut five house keys to match the existing Yale cylinder at 42 Maple Street, stamp each with 'Maple 42', check…
Make keys
+Cut five house keys to match the existing Yale cylinder at 42 Maple Street, stamp each with 'Maple 42', check fit in the original lock on site, and log new key codes in the job sheet before 4pm Friday.
The tools that do the workWH Software InstaCodeESCOjob descriptionsO*NET
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Fixing5
Repair and open locks
+Attend to the broken deadbolt at 89 Birch Avenue, extract the snapped cylinder, replace and code a new…
Repair and open locks
+Attend to the broken deadbolt at 89 Birch Avenue, extract the snapped cylinder, replace and code a new cylinder to the owner's thumbturn, lubricate the bolt, test three openings, and note parts used on the invoice.
The tools that do the workMarathon Data Systems ServiceCEOjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Repair and maintain locks and safes
+Service the commercial safe at 12 Oak Court: strip the lock mechanism, replace worn levers, recalibrate the…
Repair and maintain locks and safes
+Service the commercial safe at 12 Oak Court: strip the lock mechanism, replace worn levers, recalibrate the dial to the documented combination, run five opening cycles, and file the maintenance report under the client's account.
The tools that do the workInventory trackingESCOjob descriptionsWikipedia
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Perform emergency lockout services
+Respond to Jonathan Miller at 7 Cedar Lane for an immediate lockout: arrive within the hour, gain entry…
Perform emergency lockout services
+Respond to Jonathan Miller at 7 Cedar Lane for an immediate lockout: arrive within the hour, gain entry non-destructively, supply one temporary key, record time and method used, and invoice as emergency callout.
The tools that do the workMappingESCOjob descriptionsWikipedia
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Install alarm and electronic access systems.
+Install keypad access and door strike at Sunrise Medical Clinic, mount the keypad at staff entrance, wire the…
Install alarm and electronic access systems.
+Install keypad access and door strike at Sunrise Medical Clinic, mount the keypad at staff entrance, wire the strike to the existing door frame, program five staff codes, test fail-safe and log installation details in the handover sheet.
The tools that do the workWH Software MasterKeyO*NETWikipedia
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Repair safes
+Attend the jammed safe at 101 Bank Street, diagnose the locking fault, replace the spindle and drive cam if…
Repair safes
+Attend the jammed safe at 101 Bank Street, diagnose the locking fault, replace the spindle and drive cam if required, perform three timed openings to prove reliability, and produce a parts-and-labour estimate for the client before leaving.
The tools that do the workMarathon Data Systems ServiceCEOjob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work16
Create and assemble locks and keys
+Assemble and test three deadbolt sets and four cylinder-and-key assemblies for the Elm Street contract, cut…
Create and assemble locks and keys
+Assemble and test three deadbolt sets and four cylinder-and-key assemblies for the Elm Street contract, cut and file each key to fit, bench-test on metal door samples, pack complete sets with installation screws and serial-tag the batch before invoicing.
The tools that do the workWH Software MasterKeyO*NETWikipedia
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Provide security consultations
+Survey the clinic on Maple Avenue, log existing door and window hardware, recommend three phased upgrades…
Provide security consultations
+Survey the clinic on Maple Avenue, log existing door and window hardware, recommend three phased upgrades with estimated costs and priority—front door, pharmacy, staff entrance—then draft a one-page security brief to review with the practice manager on Friday.
The tools that do the workMappingMicrosoft WordESCOjob descriptions
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Unlock cars and other vehicles.
+Respond to the roadside call at 148 Pine Road, gain entry to the 2016 Honda Civic without damage, document…
Unlock cars and other vehicles.
+Respond to the roadside call at 148 Pine Road, gain entry to the 2016 Honda Civic without damage, document method used and part replacement needs, return the vehicle and hand the owner a written receipt before leaving the scene.
The tools that do the workMarathon Data Systems ServiceCEOO*NET
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Adjust locks and safes
+Inspect the Westside office safe, diagnose the binding in the boltwork, adjust the cam spacing and re-tension…
Adjust locks and safes
+Inspect the Westside office safe, diagnose the binding in the boltwork, adjust the cam spacing and re-tension the drive springs, then run ten open-close cycles and produce a short repair note with parts used and recommended follow-up.
The tools that do the workWH Software InstaCodejob descriptions
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Use manual and automatic cutting tools
+Set up the bench for profile cutting, calibrate the lathe and the electronic code reader, cut five blanks to…
Use manual and automatic cutting tools
+Set up the bench for profile cutting, calibrate the lathe and the electronic code reader, cut five blanks to specification, measure tolerances to 0.1 mm, deburr each piece and log batch dimensions and operator initials in the job sheet.
The tools that do the workWH Software MasterKeyWikipedia
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Design lock mechanisms
+Draft a concept for a modular four-pin hybrid lock, sketch the core and sidebar interactions, list materials…
Design lock mechanisms
+Draft a concept for a modular four-pin hybrid lock, sketch the core and sidebar interactions, list materials and machining tolerances needed, estimate prototype time and cost, and flag any patent or compliance risks for legal review.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordWikipedia
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Cut keys
+Cut a new house key to match the Yale cylinder code from the customer's old key, verify fit and smooth action…
Cut keys
+Cut a new house key to match the Yale cylinder code from the customer's old key, verify fit and smooth action in the lock, deburr the blank, label with customer name and address, and log the cut on the shop key ticket before handing it over.
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Maintain customer service
+Call Mrs. Patel and confirm her Saturday appointment window, note arrival ETA and vehicle description,…
Maintain customer service
+Call Mrs. Patel and confirm her Saturday appointment window, note arrival ETA and vehicle description, confirm access instructions and payment method, log the interaction in the customer file, and follow up with a thank-you text after the job is done.
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Test lock security features
+Test the front-door cylinder, deadbolt and strike under torque, pick-resistance and bump tests, log failures…
Test lock security features
+Test the front-door cylinder, deadbolt and strike under torque, pick-resistance and bump tests, log failures with photos, note manufacturer and model, and only pass locks that meet the two-minute forced-entry standard before returning to the client.
The tools that do the workWH Software MasterKeyWikipedia
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Use locksmith equipment
+Run through the full kit: tension wrenches, pick set, decoder, plug spinners and key gauge, verify each…
Use locksmith equipment
+Run through the full kit: tension wrenches, pick set, decoder, plug spinners and key gauge, verify each tool's calibration, photograph any worn bits, replace blades that fail the edge test, and update the tool log before the next job.
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Locking mechanisms
+Inspect latch, cam and follower alignment on the office mortice, check actuator travel and spring tension,…
Locking mechanisms
+Inspect latch, cam and follower alignment on the office mortice, check actuator travel and spring tension, measure clearances, record sticking or misalignment with images, and recommend specific parts or machining if tolerances exceed spec.
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Repair lockable devices
+Strip the vandal-damaged padlock, measure and photograph worn tumblers and cam, replace seized bearings and…
Repair lockable devices
+Strip the vandal-damaged padlock, measure and photograph worn tumblers and cam, replace seized bearings and reface mating surfaces, then bench-test key operation fifty cycles and note remaining serviceable life for the owner.
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Manufacturing of door furniture from metal
+Cut and form two pairs of lever handles from 3mm stainless, machine spindle holes to fit the specified…
Manufacturing of door furniture from metal
+Cut and form two pairs of lever handles from 3mm stainless, machine spindle holes to fit the specified mortice, deburr and polish the faces, assemble with the supplied rose and run durability cycles before tagging for installation.
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Carry out inventory planning
+Audit stock levels of cylinders, mortice locks and replacement parts, forecast four-week demand from recent…
Carry out inventory planning
+Audit stock levels of cylinders, mortice locks and replacement parts, forecast four-week demand from recent job sheets, flag items below reorder point, and prepare a purchase list with preferred suppliers and lead times for Monday approval.
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Inventory tracking
+Update the inventory tracking for the locksmith van: log twenty-five new Kwikset cylinders, note three blank…
Inventory tracking
+Update the inventory tracking for the locksmith van: log twenty-five new Kwikset cylinders, note three blank key tags lost on June 12, reconcile stock levels so mobile orders this week don't drop below five, and flag re-order for cores by Friday.
The tools that do the workWH Software MasterKeyO*NET
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Inventory tracking
+Update the inventory tracking for the west-side service van: count blanks, cylinder batches, and cut key…
Inventory tracking
+Update the inventory tracking for the west-side service van: count blanks, cylinder batches, and cut key stock, reconcile with last week's purchases, flag any items below reorder level, and save the updated van parts list under today’s date.
The tools that do the workWH Software MasterKeyO*NET
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Says who?
These are the pages we read to build this. Open any of them and check us.
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses