49 Series · SOC 49-9094
Locksmiths and Safe Repairers Salary
National pay, percentile range, growth outlook, and state-by-state detail from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey (May 2025).
- $51,320
- Median / year
- $79,400
- Top 10% earn
- -8.3%
- Growth '23–'33
- 15,040
- US workers
Locksmiths and Safe Repairers earn a median of $51,320 per year.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey, the median annual wage is $51,320, based on the most recent survey of employers. Reported pay ranges from $35,530 (10th percentile) to $79,400 (90th percentile) nationally, across roughly 15,040 US workers. District of Columbia pays the most ($76,740), since pay varies by state and metro area.
The pay verdict
Locksmiths and Safe Repairers earn a median of $51,320, putting them below the typical US occupation and higher than 36% of the 825 occupations with a published BLS median. Within Installation, Maintenance, and Repair, it ranks #36 of 51 by median pay. Employment is projected to fall 8.3% by 2033.
- $51,320
- Median annual wage
- Top 64%
- of 825 US occupations with published wages
- #36 of 51
- in Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- 2.2×
- 90th-to-10th pay spread
Highest-paying state: District of Columbia at $76,740. Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Locksmiths and Safe Repairers (SOC 49-9094) pays a national median of $51,320 per year according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey released in May 2025. Full-range compensation stretches from $35,530 at the 10th percentile to $79,400 at the 90th, with a mean of $55,470 indicating a right-skew where top earners pull the average above the midpoint. An estimated 15,040 Americans work in this occupation across 49 reporting states and 92 metro areas.
BLS Employment Projections forecast a -8.3% change in employment from 2024 to 2034, which the agency classifies as declining relative to the 5% all-occupations baseline. About 1,700 openings are projected per year, combining new positions with replacement needs from retirements and occupation-switchers. Typical entry-level preparation is High school diploma or equivalent and long-term on-the-job training of on-the-job training. The BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) and Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) produce a workplace-safety grade of B for this role, with a fatality rate of 8.1 per 100,000 and injury rate of 3 per 100.
Geographic variation matters as much as the headline median. District of Columbia pays the highest state median at $76,740, which is +50% above the national figure. The top metro is New Haven, CT at $78,160 - metro premiums typically reflect higher cost of living, industry concentration, or specialized employer demand. When using this page for negotiation or career planning, pair the national median with the state and metro rows below, remember that BLS wages exclude benefits, bonuses, and overtime, and revisit after each May OEWS release since percentiles shift with cost-of-living cycles and industry demand. See our methodology for exactly how these figures are sourced, computed, and verified.
Median Salary
$51,320
per year
Median Hourly
$24.68/hr
per hour
Mean Salary
$55,470
average
Employment
15,040
jobs nationwide
How does this pay compare nationally?
Where Locksmiths and Safe Repairers pay sits nationally
Median annual wage vs. 825 detailed BLS occupations with a published median
$51,320 Bottom 36% higher than 36% of 825 US occupations
Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US occupations. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · May 2025
Does this job pay well and grow?
Each dot is a 49-series occupation, placed by projected 2024–2034 growth and median pay. The highlighted dot is Locksmiths and Safe Repairers; the upper-right quadrant is the sweet spot (high pay + fast growth).
Among 24 49-series occupations with growth data, Locksmiths and Safe Repairers sits on the slower-growing side at -8.3% growth and $51,320 median pay.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (wages, May 2025) and Employment Projections (2024–2034).
Job Outlook (2024–2034)
Projected Growth
-8.3%
Declining
Annual Openings
1,700
per year (projected)
Typical Education
High school diploma or equivalent
On-the-Job Training
Long-term on-the-job training
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034
Workplace Safety
All safety ratings →Safe
Safety Grade (BLS 2023)
Fatality Rate
8.1/100K
Injury Rate
3/100
Danger Index
16/100
Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) & Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), 2023
Career Intelligence
Skills, knowledge, and tasks most important for Locksmiths and Safe Repairers roles, ranked by importance. Source: O*NET.
Top Skills
Knowledge Areas
Key Tasks
- ▸ Cut new or duplicate keys, using impressions or code key machines.
- ▸ Insert new or repaired tumblers into locks to change combinations.
- ▸ Move picklocks in cylinders to open door locks without keys.
- ▸ Cut new or duplicate keys, using key cutting machines.
- ▸ Open safe locks by drilling.
- ▸ Set up and maintain master key systems.
- ▸ Install door hardware, such as locks and closers.
- ▸ Keep records of company locks and keys.
- ▸ Disassemble mechanical or electrical locking devices, and repair or replace worn tumblers, springs, and other parts, using hand tools.
- ▸ Repair and adjust safes, vault doors, and vault components, using hand tools, lathes, drill presses, and welding and acetylene cutting apparatus.
Source: O*NET Online, National Center for O*NET Development. Data represents typical importance ratings for this occupation.
Salary Range
Annual Salary Distribution
Hourly Rate Distribution
10th Percentile
$35,530
25th Percentile
$43,160
Median
$51,320
75th Percentile
$64,560
90th Percentile
$79,400
Salary by State
Highest Paying States
View all 49 states →
| # | State | Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $76,740 | +50% above national |
| 2 | Connecticut | $69,280 | +35% above national |
| 3 | Hawaii | $64,490 | +26% above national |
| 4 | Delaware | $63,640 | +24% above national |
| 5 | New York | $61,830 | +20% above national |
| 6 | California | $61,010 | +19% above national |
| 7 | Maryland | $60,330 | +18% above national |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $59,420 | +16% above national |
| 9 | Minnesota | $59,070 | +15% above national |
| 10 | Alaska | $58,390 | +14% above national |
| 11 | Illinois | $58,110 | +13% above national |
| 12 | Washington | $58,010 | +13% above national |
| 13 | Rhode Island | $57,360 | +12% above national |
| 14 | New Jersey | $57,000 | +11% above national |
| 15 | West Virginia | $56,690 | +10% above national |
| 16 | New Hampshire | $56,510 | +10% above national |
| 17 | Montana | $56,200 | +10% above national |
| 18 | Utah | $55,520 | +8% above national |
| 19 | Michigan | $54,120 | +5% above national |
| 20 | Georgia | $54,050 | +5% above national |
| 21 | Virginia | $53,590 | +4% above national |
| 22 | Kansas | $52,930 | +3% above national |
| 23 | Maine | $52,670 | +3% above national |
| 24 | Pennsylvania | $52,160 | +2% above national |
| 25 | Kentucky | $51,120 | same as national |
| 26 | Oregon | $50,450 | 2% below national |
| 27 | Tennessee | $50,250 | 2% below national |
| 28 | Missouri | $50,140 | 2% below national |
| 29 | Florida | $49,120 | 4% below national |
| 30 | Nebraska | $49,070 | 4% below national |
| 31 | Wisconsin | $48,360 | 6% below national |
| 32 | Ohio | $47,760 | 7% below national |
| 33 | Indiana | $47,640 | 7% below national |
| 34 | Colorado | $47,500 | 7% below national |
| 35 | Nevada | $47,450 | 8% below national |
| 36 | South Carolina | $46,560 | 9% below national |
| 37 | Louisiana | $46,550 | 9% below national |
| 38 | Iowa | $46,360 | 10% below national |
| 39 | North Carolina | $45,900 | 11% below national |
| 40 | Arizona | $44,460 | 13% below national |
| 41 | North Dakota | $44,310 | 14% below national |
| 42 | Texas | $43,860 | 15% below national |
| 43 | Idaho | $43,460 | 15% below national |
| 44 | Alabama | $43,340 | 16% below national |
| 45 | Mississippi | $42,940 | 16% below national |
| 46 | New Mexico | $41,920 | 18% below national |
| 47 | Oklahoma | $38,680 | 25% below national |
| 48 | Arkansas | $35,770 | 30% below national |
| 49 | Puerto Rico | $27,220 | 47% below national |
Salary by Metro Area
Highest Paying Metros
View all 92 metro areas →
| # | Metro Area | Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Haven, CT | $78,160 | +52% above national |
| 2 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $74,320 | +45% above national |
| 3 | Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $70,980 | +38% above national |
| 4 | Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $70,120 | +37% above national |
| 5 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $65,370 | +27% above national |
| 6 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $64,970 | +27% above national |
| 7 | Fresno, CA | $63,770 | +24% above national |
| 8 | Stockton-Lodi, CA | $62,930 | +23% above national |
| 9 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $62,910 | +23% above national |
| 10 | Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $62,050 | +21% above national |
| 11 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $61,830 | +20% above national |
| 12 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $61,500 | +20% above national |
| 13 | Portland-South Portland, ME | $61,350 | +20% above national |
| 14 | Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $61,170 | +19% above national |
| 15 | Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $60,850 | +19% above national |
| 16 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $60,720 | +18% above national |
| 17 | Syracuse, NY | $60,610 | +18% above national |
| 18 | Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $59,940 | +17% above national |
| 19 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $59,410 | +16% above national |
| 20 | Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $59,270 | +15% above national |
| 21 | Anchorage, AK | $58,340 | +14% above national |
| 22 | Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $58,230 | +13% above national |
| 23 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $58,110 | +13% above national |
| 24 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $58,110 | +13% above national |
| 25 | Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $58,000 | +13% above national |
| 26 | San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $57,660 | +12% above national |
| 27 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $57,360 | +12% above national |
| 28 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $57,320 | +12% above national |
| 29 | Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $57,100 | +11% above national |
| 30 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $57,000 | +11% above national |
| 31 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $56,940 | +11% above national |
| 32 | Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $56,520 | +10% above national |
| 33 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $56,180 | +9% above national |
| 34 | Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | $55,530 | +8% above national |
| 35 | Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $55,490 | +8% above national |
| 36 | Rochester, NY | $55,410 | +8% above national |
| 37 | Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $54,310 | +6% above national |
| 38 | Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $54,070 | +5% above national |
| 39 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $53,930 | +5% above national |
| 40 | Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $53,080 | +3% above national |
| 41 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $53,060 | +3% above national |
| 42 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $52,990 | +3% above national |
| 43 | Wichita, KS | $52,930 | +3% above national |
| 44 | Southwest Maine nonmetropolitan area | $52,670 | +3% above national |
| 45 | Lafayette, LA | $52,410 | +2% above national |
| 46 | Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $51,470 | same as national |
| 47 | Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | $51,440 | same as national |
| 48 | Richmond, VA | $51,260 | same as national |
| 49 | Baton Rouge, LA | $50,660 | 1% below national |
| 50 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $50,510 | 2% below national |
| 51 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $50,270 | 2% below national |
| 52 | North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $50,200 | 2% below national |
| 53 | Columbus, OH | $49,890 | 3% below national |
| 54 | Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $49,820 | 3% below national |
| 55 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $49,710 | 3% below national |
| 56 | Jacksonville, FL | $49,660 | 3% below national |
| 57 | Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $49,180 | 4% below national |
| 58 | Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $49,150 | 4% below national |
| 59 | Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $48,980 | 5% below national |
| 60 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $48,560 | 5% below national |
| 61 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $48,430 | 6% below national |
| 62 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $48,050 | 6% below national |
| 63 | Reno, NV | $48,010 | 6% below national |
| 64 | Colorado Springs, CO | $48,000 | 6% below national |
| 65 | New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $47,770 | 7% below national |
| 66 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $47,740 | 7% below national |
| 67 | Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $47,720 | 7% below national |
| 68 | Pittsburgh, PA | $47,610 | 7% below national |
| 69 | Greensboro-High Point, NC | $47,520 | 7% below national |
| 70 | Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | $47,450 | 8% below national |
| 71 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $47,370 | 8% below national |
| 72 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $47,200 | 8% below national |
| 73 | Knoxville, TN | $46,920 | 9% below national |
| 74 | Fargo, ND-MN | $46,780 | 9% below national |
| 75 | Killeen-Temple, TX | $46,500 | 9% below national |
| 76 | Naples-Marco Island, FL | $46,240 | 10% below national |
| 77 | San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $45,900 | 11% below national |
| 78 | Tucson, AZ | $45,800 | 11% below national |
| 79 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $45,370 | 12% below national |
| 80 | Eugene-Springfield, OR | $45,370 | 12% below national |
| 81 | Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | $45,350 | 12% below national |
| 82 | Lubbock, TX | $44,630 | 13% below national |
| 83 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $44,460 | 13% below national |
| 84 | Boise City, ID | $43,470 | 15% below national |
| 85 | Cleveland, OH | $39,960 | 22% below national |
| 86 | Birmingham, AL | $39,140 | 24% below national |
| 87 | Tulsa, OK | $38,920 | 24% below national |
| 88 | Oklahoma City, OK | $38,390 | 25% below national |
| 89 | Albuquerque, NM | $37,980 | 26% below national |
| 90 | El Paso, TX | $37,790 | 26% below national |
| 91 | Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $37,250 | 27% below national |
| 92 | Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $37,190 | 28% below national |
Similar Occupations in the Same Category
Other roles in SOC major group 49 (installation maintenance and repair) with comparable pay and career paths.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Locksmiths and Safe Repairers make? ▼
What state pays Locksmiths and Safe Repairers the most? ▼
What education do you need to become a Locksmiths and Safe Repairers? ▼
How dangerous is being a Locksmiths and Safe Repairers? ▼
Is Locksmiths and Safe Repairers a good career? ▼
How does Locksmiths and Safe Repairers pay vary by state? ▼
Which metro areas pay the most for Locksmiths and Safe Repairers? ▼
What to do with this data
How to use Locksmiths and Safe Repairers pay figures in a real decision
- For an experienced offer, anchor on the 75th percentile (about $64,560/year), not the median. The median marks the middle worker; the upper quartile is the realistic target with strong experience. Salary calculator
- Location moves pay significantly: District of Columbia leads at $76,740/year for this role. Weigh state pay against local cost of living before relocating or negotiating remote. Pay by state
- Compare this occupation against similar roles before you decide, so you are reading the pay band in context rather than in isolation. Compare jobs
These are BLS survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. Your pay depends on experience, employer, exact role, and location.
Every figure on WageDex is rendered directly from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, no number is typed in by an editor. This occupation's figures are computed directly from the BLS OEWS and Employment Projections datasets, nothing is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of May 2025.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or career advice. Actual pay for a specific role, employer, or offer may differ from these national/state figures, consult a qualified career counselor, recruiter, or financial advisor before making decisions based on this data.