Occupation

Locksmiths and Safe Repairers

Human Advantage 70%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Low Risk
2.7 / 10

This occupation requires complex human judgment, social interaction, and creative problem-solving that are difficult to automate.

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

Also Known As: Certified Master Locksmith (CML), Certified Master Safe Cracker, Certified Master Safecracker (CMS), Commercial Vault Associate, Forensic Locksmith, Key Maker, Key Technician (Key Tech), Keysmith +20 more

Video

Core Tasks

  1. Cut new or duplicate keys, using key cutting machines.
  2. Disassemble mechanical or electrical locking devices, and repair or replace worn tumblers, springs, and other parts, using hand tools.
  3. Cut new or duplicate keys, using impressions or code key machines.
  4. Open safe locks by drilling.
  5. Install door hardware, such as locks and closers.
  6. Insert new or repaired tumblers into locks to change combinations.
  7. Set up and maintain master key systems.
  8. Keep records of company locks and keys.
  9. Move picklocks in cylinders to open door locks without keys.
  10. Repair and adjust safes, vault doors, and vault components, using hand tools, lathes, drill presses, and welding and acetylene cutting apparatus.
  11. Install safes, vault doors, and deposit boxes according to blueprints, using equipment such as power drills, taps, dies, truck cranes, and dollies.

Supplemental Tasks (3)

  1. Install alarm and electronic access systems.
  2. Unlock cars and other vehicles.
  3. Remove interior and exterior finishes on safes and vaults, and spray on new finishes.

Education & Training

Job Zone 2 Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Education: These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Experience: Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
65%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
30%
Some College Courses
5%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Intuit QuickBooks
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Word

Software (13)

  • Inventory tracking software
  • Mapping software
  • Marathon Data Systems ServiceCEO
  • Scheduling software
  • WH Software InstaCode
  • WH Software MasterKey
  • dESCO ESC

Tools & Equipment (59)

  • Acetylene torches
  • Automatic metal lathes
  • Bench drill presses
  • Bent needlenose pliers
  • Borescopes
  • Carpenters squares
  • Center punch sets
  • Code key machines
  • Computer inkjet printers
  • Cordless drills
  • Crescent wrenches
  • Crowbars
  • Cutting dies
  • Deadblow hammers
  • Depth keys
  • Digital calipers
  • Face cap removal pliers
  • Flat cold chisels
  • Flathead screwdrivers
  • Hammer drills
  • Hand planes
  • Hex key sets
  • Impressioning files
  • Jigsaws
  • Key extractors
  • Key gauges
  • Keycutting machines
  • Laptop computers
  • Lock pick sets
  • Locksmith hammers
  • Long tweezers
  • Machinist squares
  • Material moving dollies
  • Measuring tapes
  • Metal cleaning brushes
  • Mini hacksaws
  • Mortising jigs
  • Needle nose pliers
  • Nut driver sets
  • Parallel pin punches
  • Phillips screwdrivers
  • Pipe wrenches
  • Portable routers
  • Precision levels
  • Ratchet sets
  • Robertson screwdrivers
  • Rotary tools
  • Shielded metal arc welding machines
  • Small angle grinders
  • Snap-ring pliers
  • Socket wrench sets
  • Swivel head vises
  • Taps
  • Tension wrenches
  • Tin snips
  • Torx drivers
  • Utility knives
  • Vise grip pliers
  • Wire cutters

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Skilled Trades Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 1
Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons 77% match
Zone 2
Locksmiths and Safe Repairers You are here
Zone 3
Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers 92% match

Resume Builder

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Related Occupations

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Real Talk

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