Fortunately, most locksmith jobs take only about half an hour to complete, but multiple or complex challenges will take longer. If you need a locksmith on a holiday or a weekend, you may pay an additional fee.
Read more about Automotive locksmith here.
This is beneficial if several exterior doors have different locks. You can have the locksmith rekey them with the same key all at once. Almost everyone has had the misfortune of losing or forgetting their keys. The best option is to call a locksmith since they are well equipped to restore access to your house or car. On the off chance the lost key is a car key that has a chip in it, be sure to ask the locksmith to access the car’s immobilizer memory to disable that car key. The national average cost to hire a locksmith is $150, but it can range from $50–$400. The locksmith may charge a flat rate, by the lock, or an hourly rate of $50-$75.
Average Hourly Salary by State
Community colleges, vocational schools, and locksmith associations commonly provide certificate programs. Many work settings are available for a locksmith—real estate company, security system company, locksmith company, private businesses, and many other locations. But there are certifications you can get that will state your experience and are recognized throughout the lock and security industry. Maturity is the main criteria of being a locksmith, not education. You will be entrusted with a lot of your client’s security information, and you’ll need to be mature and responsible enough to handle it professionally. I’ve hired locksmiths with experience that had neither, but I wouldn’t hire an apprentice without one of those.
Changing House Locks
Reach out to your classmates to ask if they want to form a study group, either remotely or in person if you feel like that would be beneficial to you. Getting a certification lends you credibility as a tradesman, both to customers and to potential employers. This covers not only the cost of the course but also the cost of any tools and materials you may need for your studies. Depending on your program, you may be able to access the course through a public computer (such as at a library) if you do not have internet access at home.
You are currently required to get a locksmith license before starting out as a locksmith in 13 US states. In these states, it is illegal for anyone other than a licensed locksmith to try opening any lock or tinker with security installations. However, one of the factors that draw locksmiths to the job is the dynamic and always-changing work environment. It is almost impossible for any two days on the job to be the same. Locksmiths can often expect to make between $45,783 and $59,490 per year.
