LOCKSMITHS California Occupational Guide Number 397 Interest Area 5-D 1995
TRENDS
With crime, especially home burglaries, on the rise in this country, the desire of people to protect their families and belongings is stronger than ever before.
The sale of locks to the security conscious is booming. More and more security systems are being installed in homes and businesses.
The ever-increasing sophistication of the security systems being installed requires LOCKSMITHS with special knowledge and abilities to put them in place and keep them in good repair.
THE JOB
Locksmiths do a variety of work with locks, keys, safes, and alarm systems. Frequently, Locksmiths help people open cars, buildings, or safes that have been locked accidentally or have broken locks. If keys have been accidentally locked inside a car or building, Locksmiths may have to pick the lock. However, new keys must be made if the old keys are lost. If the lock has identifying code numbers, they are used as a guide for cutting and notching a key blank to make a new key. New keys are also made from impressions which are made by placing a key blank into the lock. By following marks left on the blank, notches are filed on the blank until it opens the lock.
Combination locks, such as those on safes, are sometimes opened by touch, that is, by rotating the dial, and listening for contact points when the wheels come into place. If this fails, a hole may have to be drilled through the lock to open it.
Locksmiths also fix damaged locks. They disassemble the lock and replace or repair worn tumblers (the part of the lock that releases the bolt when the key is turned), springs, and other parts.
Increasingly, Locksmiths are developing and maintaining security systems for customers. For example, they may re-key the door locks in a warehouse, change the combination of an office safe, or install dead-bolts in a home. Re-keying is changing the tumblers of a lock to fit a new key. Re-keying a master key system is a time-consuming and complicated job. In a master key system, some keys must open all doors, others open several doors, while some keys open individual doors. In some hotels and other lodging places, Locksmiths install security systems that require an electronic key card to open guest room doors. Some Locksmiths install and repair electronic burglar alarms and surveillance systems that signal police or firefighters when break-ins or fires occur.
Locksmiths use files, screwdrivers, pliers, tweezers, and electric drills in their work, as well as special tools such as lock picks. They make original and duplicate keys on keycutting machines. To guide them in their work, they refer to manufacturers' manuals that describe the construction and working of various locks.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Most Locksmiths work in small shops; many are self-employed. Locksmiths are also found in department and hardware stores. Others maintain large security systems for government agencies, schools, and large industrial plants.
Locksmiths often specialize in one aspect of their trade. Working conditions vary with the area of specialization. Some Locksmiths drive to emergency jobs which can occur in the evening, on weekends, as well as outdoors in bad weather. Some Locksmiths schedule regular routes to maintain lock systems for industrial clients. Others work only in shops which are usually clean and safe. However, all Locksmiths occasionally work in awkward positions for long periods of time.
EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK
The following information is from the California Projections of Employment published by the Labor Market Information Division. The figures represent the broad occupational group Locksmiths and Safe Repairers.
Estimated number of workers in 1990 1,640 Estimated number of workers in 2005 1,980 Projected Growth Percentage 21% Estimated openings due to separations by 2005 590
(These figures do not include self-employment nor openings due to turnover)
Demand for Locksmiths is expected to increase as a result of population growth and greater concern about security among businesses and individuals. Opportunities will be particularly favorable for Locksmiths licensed to install and service electronic security systems. However, most employers only hire experienced workers because their shops -- frequently with only two or three employees -- are too small to support a trainee. So trainees will face keen competition for openings, while experienced Locksmiths will be in demand.
WAGES, HOURS, AND FRINGE BENEFITS
Experienced Locksmiths working for wages earn an average of $48,000 per year. They may sometimes receive a commission percentage of the bill for their labor, ranging from 5 percent to 50 percent depending upon whether
the work is done during their regular work hours or afterwards. Self-employed
Locksmiths may be small entrepreneurs earning perhaps $19,000 per year,
or they may run a large operation and make $200,000 or more annually
with contracts from large businesses. Trainees often start
at minimum wage, but can start much higher. Locksmiths may receive
holiday leave, paid vacations, and sick pay, as well as health insurance.
A 40- to 48-hour workweek is common for Locksmiths working for wages. Self-employed Locksmiths work 44 to 60 hours per week. Locksmiths frequently work on-call evenings and weekends to respond to emergency service calls.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING
When hiring Locksmiths, employers prefer applicants with two to five years' experience in the trade. Attributes of a good Locksmith include mechanical ability, manual dexterity, good corrected vision, hand-eye coordination, bondability, neat appearance, and a pleasant public contact manner. A good driving record as well as one's own service vehicle and tools may also be required. An electrical background and licensing by the Department of Consumer Affairs is required to work on alarm systems. Some California cities require that Locksmiths obtain a police permit.
Locksmiths (except for those who duplicate keys only or work for institutions, hospitals, prisons, or large firms) are required to obtain a permit from and be fingerprinted by the Bureau of Collection and Investigative Services, also with the State Department of Consumer Affairs. This is in addition to any contractors' license requirement. The permit also requires a background check by the California Department of Justice. The permit and fingerprinting cost $87.00. Two-year renewals cost $45.00. There are a small number of vocational and correspondence schools to introduce a student to locksmithing. Although completion of a locksmithing course does not assure a job, employers might consider an inexperienced applicant with some knowledge of and training in the trade.
ADVANCEMENT
Few locksmith shops are large enough to require supervisory help. Therefore, increasing skill is recognized by salary raises rather than promotion. Locksmiths frequently go into business for themselves as a means of advancement.
FINDING THE JOB
Firms looking for experienced Locksmiths advertise in local newspapers or sometimes place job orders with Job Services offices of the California Employment Development Department.
ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Associated Locksmiths of America, Inc. 3003 Live Oak Street Dallas, TX 75204 (214) 827-1701
Locksmith Publishing Corporation 850 Busse Highway Park Ridge, IL 60068 (708) 692-5940
Contractors' State License Board 9835 Goethe Road P.O. Box 26000, 95826 Sacramento, CA 95827. (916) 255-4028; (800) 321-2752
Bureau of Collection and Investigative Services 400 R Street, Suite 2001 Sacramento, CA 95814-6234 (916) 445-7724; (213) 897-3815; (415) 557-8719
RELATED OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES
Office Machine Servicers No. 405 Instrumentation Technicians No. 485
OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES
DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th ed., Rev. 1) Locksmith (any ind.) 709.281-010
OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System Locksmiths and Safe Repairers 859230
Source: State of California, Employment Development Department,
Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group,
(916) 262-2162.
Home 
Job Key 
Wages 
Demand