Locksmiths do a valuable job for their clients by fixing and changing locks that keep people safe. A lot of the time, they help people who are locked out of their homes or cars in an emergency. If someone wants to feel proud of their work, becoming a locksmith is a fairly quick job path. Find out how to become a locksmith, how much they make, and more in this piece.
Locksmiths do what?
Locks on doors, windows, automobile doors, safes, and other items can be installed, repaired, replaced, unlocked, and adjusted by locksmiths. They also offer advice to companies and homes that want to make their security better by focusing on their locks and other security services. Also, locksmiths are famous for responding to emergency calls at all hours of the day and night to help those who have locked themselves out of their houses or cars.
How much do locksmiths usually make?
Indeed Salaries says that locksmiths make $47,513 a year. While working outside of normal business hours, they may sometimes get extra pay. The average length of time someone works as a locksmith is two to four years.
Needs for locksmith training
To be eligible for the position of locksmith, one must complete training, the specifics of which differ from one state to the next. Start by looking at the professional locksmith groups, beginning with the Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA), to find training programs that are recognized by the group and to find out what specific training is needed in your state.
A license is necessary for locksmiths to work in some states or localities. These are the places in question: Those areas are as follows: Alabama, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.
How to become a locksmith
Here are some steps you might want to take to become a locksmith:
Finish a training course.
Do a job as an apprentice.
Get your license in the states and areas that allow it.
Do work for a locksmith business and learn new things.
1. Finish a training course
To become a locksmith, you need to go through a training program after getting your high school education or the equivalent. You can usually find these at community colleges and trade schools in your area. Most likely, the training will include both hands-on work and tests, and it will happen over several months or years. If you live in a state that needs licenses, you should go to a training school that will lead to a license.
2. Work for someone else
You can do an apprenticeship instead of or along with official training. Through apprenticeships, new employees can learn from more experienced workers and get hands-on practice in locksmithing. While there are apprenticeships that pay their trainees, the majority of them just provide experience and are necessary to attain a paid job. If you want to become an intern, make sure that the person you work with has a license or certificate so that you can get the best training.
3. Get your license in the states and areas that allow it
You will need to get a license or certificate if your state needs them. That means putting your locksmith skills to the test and passing successfully. The Association of Locksmiths of America (ALOA) is the governing body that is responsible for administering the certification exam and providing designations to individuals who pass it, such as Certified Master Safe Tech, Certified Automotive Locksmiths, and Registered Locksmiths. You might also have to go through a full security check and give the state your fingerprints to get your license.
4. Join a locksmith business and learn new skills
Before going into business for yourself, it makes sense to look for work with a well-known locksmith company. By doing this, you’ll learn how a business works, including how to do office work and gain the skills you need to work for yourself. Different states have different rules, so you might even have to work for a locksmith for a few years before you can become one yourself.
One option is to work for a big company that offers emergency help 24 hours a day, or for a small company that is only open during business hours. You could also talk to security companies, hardware shops, and other businesses that hire people in related fields.
Frequently Asked Questions about Locksmithing
We’ve put together a list of commonly asked questions about locksmithing and answered them. Some things you might be asking yourself if you want to become a locksmith are:
How can I find out what kind of schooling my state needs for me to become a locksmith?
If you want to find out more about the requirements that are in place in your state, you should go to the website of your local government as well as the ALOA. Each state has its own rules for locksmiths, so it’s important to find this information first. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a locksmith, you may find a list of approved training programs maintained by the ALOA.
No matter what your state’s standards are, people who want to become locksmiths must pass an exam with at least two elective categories and ten required categories.
How long does it take to learn how to be a locksmith?
It can take anywhere from months to years to learn how to be a locksmith. You might be able to start working as a locksmith right away if you finish some training programs in as little as three months as required by your state. In other places, on the other hand, you might need years of training that includes schooling, work experience, and getting certified or licensed. Most people can learn how to be a locksmith in about two years.
What kinds of jobs are there for locksmiths?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that locksmithing is a career that is expanding, even though it is expanding at a slower rate than other professions. For people who want to get into the field, internships or jobs at big 24-hour companies may be the best way to start.
What do I do to get a job as a locksmith?
Before going to work on your own, it’s a good idea to look for a locksmith job. Do that by looking for jobs on a website like Indeed and sending in your resume. Make sure your resume is up-to-date with your new schooling, training, and skills before you hit “submit.” You should learn about the company and practice both general and locksmith-specific interview questions and answers to get ready for the interview.
