Locksmith Information
A locksmith makes, repairs and unlocks locks. These include combination locks, deadbolts, timed locks, safe-deposit box locks and car locks. Working as a locksmith requires a strong understanding of how locks operate, including all their individual components. Because they are required to work with small tools and make delicate movements, locksmiths must have good perception, vision and hand-eye coordination. They may also be required to operate a wide variety of electronic alarm and surveillance systems.
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Education and Training
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Most locksmiths start out as apprentices and receive on-the-job training. This is primarily how locksmiths learn the trade. On-the-job training, according to guidetoonlineschool.com, can take anywhere from a few months to four years. Schools offer locksmith certification classes, which are meant to speed the training process. Business courses can be beneficial for self-employed locksmiths.
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Licensing
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According to guidetoonlineschool.com, most states and cities require locksmiths to obtain a license. Often this involves being fingerprinted, an extensive background check and a written exam. Locksmiths who are self-employed must maintain a detailed and correct inventory of all locksmithing tools, keys, locks and other parts.
Mobile Locksmiths
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Mobile locksmiths make on-site visits to unlock, repair or install locks.
According to guidetoonlineschools.com, mobile locksmiths are often self-employed or work for family-operated locksmith businesses. Most mobile locksmiths are called by individuals who claim to have lost their only set of keys for a particular lock, so they must have good judgment to know whether to trust potential customers.
Commercial Locksmiths
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Commercial locksmiths cater to the security needs of small businesses, large companies and institutions. For small businesses, they often help install locks and design security systems for protecting merchandise. Hotels and apartment building owners commonly hire commercial locksmiths to install new lock-and-key systems for individual rooms and master key systems. The automotive industry also relies on commercial locksmiths to install new key and lock systems in car doors, and to replace missing keys. While not mobile by definition, automotive locksmiths may have to travel to help drivers who have misplaced keys or who have locked them in their cars. Commercial locksmiths are also employed by institutions such as college campuses and government agencies to design keycard systems and record key assignments.
Safe Technician Locksmiths
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Safe-technician locksmiths sell, install, and repair safes for families and businesses. They are often employed by banks, which utilize multiple locking mechanisms that require continuous updating and repairing. These include timed locks, teller machinery, safe-deposit boxes and vault doors. Safe technician locksmiths often need to be certified by the Associated Locksmiths of America, due to the valuable and personal contents often stored in safes.
Salary
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According to salary.com, locksmiths, including safe-technician locksmiths, earned a median yearly income of $32,858 in 2008. The bottom 25 percent of earners made $26,855 or lower, while the top 25 percent made $39,461 or higher.
References
- Photo Credit "Freedom" is Copyrighted by Flickr user: Dazzie D (Darren D) under the Creative Commons Attribution license.
