# Locksmiths and Safe Repairers

> Repair and open locks, make keys, change locks and safe combinations, and install and repair safes.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/locksmiths-and-safe-repairers
- SOC code: 49-9094.00
- Career family: Installation and repair
- Median annual pay: $51,320 (10th percentile $35,530, 90th percentile $79,400)
- Projected growth: Decline, -11.7%
- Openings a year: 1,200
- Typical entry education: High school diploma
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RCI)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 85 |
| Investigative (I) | 18 |
| Artistic (A) | 0 |
| Social (S) | 10 |
| Enterprising (E) | 7 |
| Conventional (C) | 67 |

## What you'd do

- Getting Information (importance 85/100)
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public (importance 83/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 82/100)
- Handling and Moving Objects (importance 79/100)
- Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment (importance 79/100)
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment (importance 78/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 78/100)
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 77/100)
- Controlling Machines and Processes (importance 74/100)
- Thinking Creatively (importance 73/100)

## Skills

Repairing, Critical Thinking, Time Management, Active Listening, Quality Control Analysis, Service Orientation, Speaking, Complex Problem Solving, Installation, Operation and Control

## Knowledge

Mechanical, Customer and Personal Service, Public Safety and Security, English Language, Administration and Management, Law and Government, Sales and Marketing, Education and Training, Mathematics, Computers and Electronics

## Also called

Access Control Technician (Access Control Tech), Certified Professional Safe Technician (CPS), CML (Certified Master Locksmith), CMS (Certified Master Safecracker), Commercial Vault Associate, Forensic Locksmith, Key Maker, Key Technician (Key Tech), Keysmith, Lock Expert

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Precision Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4704) (CIP 4704, 33 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Murray State College-Oklahoma](https://www.collegesref.com/college/murray-state-college-oklahoma-1806) | Precision Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | not reported | $48,487 | not reported |

## Related careers

- [Mechanical Door Repairers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/mechanical-door-repairers): $55,720 median pay
- [Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/helpers-installation-maintenance-and-repair-workers): $39,630 median pay
- [Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/elevator-and-escalator-installers-and-repairers): $109,910 median pay
- [Helpers--Electricians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/helpers-electricians): $42,670 median pay
- [Millwrights](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/millwrights): $65,700 median pay
- [Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/electric-motor-power-tool-and-related-repairers): $56,210 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.