Guide to Locksmithing
Locksmiths operate a business that modifies or opens locks, installs or repairs locks or creates keys for locks. The California Department of Consumer Affairs says a person who just copies or duplicates keys is not considered a locksmith. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has a similar definition, but also adds installing and repairing safes to the job description.
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Types of Employers
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Most locksmiths work in security services, according to the BLS. Some work in school settings, either in elementary schools, colleges or professional schools. Others work in state, local or federal government offices.
Becoming a Locksmith
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The BLS says most locksmiths receive on-the-job training. There usually are no academic credentials or requirements for becoming a locksmith. However, in many states, there is a licensing process to open a locksmithing business or become a locksmith employee. In California, for example, the application has stringent requirements.
Applying to Become a Locksmith
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To open a business, most states require the name of the person who will be managing the business on a daily basis. The owner, the manager and the employees generally have to have a state background check that includes fingerprinting.
After submitting an application, you may get a temporary registration to act as a locksmith, pending a full background check. However, if you have committed a crime, you generally will not get a temporary registration. Furthermore, if you have committed a crime, you may be precluded from becoming a locksmith at all, after a background check. Specific rules vary by jurisdiction, but in most cases if your past crime involved fraud or theft, you may be precluded from becoming a licensed locksmith.
Job Outlook and Salary
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The Bureau of Labor Statistics says the demand for locksmiths will grow much faster than the average from 2006 through 2016. The median salary or locksmiths is $16.57 an hour or $34,460 a year. The annual salary for locksmiths is the highest in Connecticut, with an hourly average of $24.40 and an average annual salary of $50,760. The District of Columbia, Maryland, Hawaii and New Jersey were the next four highest-paying locales for locksmiths.
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