Table of Contents
Introduction
- The Appeal of Locksmithing as a Career
- Unrealistic Earnings Expectations
Understanding Locksmith Earnings
- Turnover vs. Profit
- High Salary Claims
Factors Influencing Locksmith Success
- Geographical Location
- Range of Services
- Experience and Reputation
- Business Hours
Self-Employment vs. Employment
- Advantages and Challenges of Self-Employment
Typical Locksmith Earnings in the UK
- New Locksmiths
- Experienced Locksmiths
- Specialist Locksmiths
- Self-Employed Locksmiths
How to Increase Your Earnings as a Locksmith
- Expand Your Skillset
- Build a Strong Online Presence
- Offer Emergency Services
- Diversify Your Services
- Focus on Customer Satisfaction
Challenges and Rewards of a Locksmith Career
- Physical Demands and Business Management
- Job Security and Financial Rewards
Is Locksmithing a Good Career Choice?
- Opportunities for Growth and Fulfilment
When you are considering a career at any age, one of big incentives is the wage you can earn when you have completed your training. There are many high paid jobs out there in 2025, solicitors, lawyers, doctors, and they all come with years of training. If you believe what you read online, you can earn 60 to 100k a year as a locksmith Leeds after only 3 days of training. Ever heard the old saying if it sounds too good to be true it usually is? Well in my opinion locksmith training is no different. I’m not saying don’t do it, I’m saying if your going to do it make sure you have all the facts first.
How much do locksmiths make?
While there may be the odd exception to the rule, earning this kind of salary after such a short period of time must be viewed as unrealistic to say the least. Think about it logically for a minute, if you only had to give up 3 days of your life to make that kind of money, everybody would be a locksmith.
The word ‘earnings’ itself is a grey area as it could be implying this is turnover, and that is a very different to profit. Turnover represents all the money brought into the business, not the actually profits after taxes and materials, vehicle costs etc.
The talk of a high salary entices people in who are looking to get into the locksmith trade. A common target for locksmith training courses is to target people with money to burn. Often this is people who’ve been made redundant so have redundancy funds available, or people leaving the military that are able to spend military credits to lean a new trade.
I can’t deny that some locksmiths do indeed make a very good living and can in fact make between £60 – £100k profit. But to achieve this they put in an awful lot of hard work over a long period of time. They have good business sense, work very long hours and it has to be said, experience a certain amount of luck when it comes to their clients. Sometimes good things just fall into your lap, but 99% of the time you have to put years of constant hard work in to pick up that amazing contract or repeat work.
It takes a long time to learn the locksmith trade, then you have to establish yourself and earn a reputation so you have a quality customer base and constant referrals. Being a locksmith is not a way of getting rich quick, it has to be viewed in the long term. Its not unrealistic to think you might not make any profit at all in the first year or two.
If you are set on becoming a locksmith, whether it’s starting your own business or being employed here’s some things to consider.
Geographical Location
Your location can significantly impact the demand and pricing. In urban areas like London, Manchester, or Birmingham, the higher cost of living and increased competition usually leads to higher rates for locksmith services. By contrast, locksmiths in very rural areas often face less competition but may have to charge lower hourly rates due to the reduced demand.
Range of Services
The more locksmith services you can off, the more money you can earn. A few common locksmith services include:
- Emergency lockouts
- Lock installation and repair
- Car key programming and replacement
- UPVC door and window lock repairs
- Smart lock installation
- Home and business security upgrades
- Access control
- Safe Engineer
Offering more niche services, such as auto locksmithing or access control, can help you stand out as a specialist in that field and allow you to charge higher locksmith rates for these services.
Experience and Reputation
Building a strong reputation takes a long time but is essential for success. Getting plenty of positive reviews and word-of-mouth referrals are highly valuable for attracting new customers. Experienced locksmiths with a proven track record can often charge a higher hourly rate and have a more consistent workflow.
Business Hours
Availability will have a huge impact on earnings. Offering a 24/7 emergency locksmith service allows you to charge higher rates for out of hours jobs. Many customers are willing to pay a premium for emergencies during evenings, weekends, and bank holidays.
Self-Employment vs. Employment
Locksmiths who run their own businesses generally have a higher earning potential than those who work for a company. As a self-employed locksmith, you have greater control over pricing, service offerings, and marketing, all of which directly impact your income.
Typical Locksmith Earnings in the UK
Locksmith earnings can vary depending on the factors mentioned above. Here is an approximate breakdown:
New Locksmiths: Those just starting in the industry typically earn between £20,000 and £30,000 per year. This range reflects the time it takes to gain experience and build a steady client base.
Experienced Locksmiths: Locksmiths with several years of experience and a great reputation can earn between £35,000 and £50,000 annually.
Specialist Locksmiths: Locksmiths who can offer advanced or niche services, such as auto locksmiths or access control can earn upwards of £60,000 per year.
Self-Employed Locksmiths: Running your own locksmith business can be highly paid for some. Locksmiths in high-demand areas earn over £75,000 per year, especially when offering emergency out of hours services. However, as a self-employed locksmith remember you must factor in running costs such as, vehicle, tools, insurance and taxes.
How to Increase Your Earnings as a Locksmith
If you’re looking to boost your income, there are several strategies to consider:
Expand Your Skillset
Investing in more training is one of the most effective ways to increase your earnings. Consider training in specialist areas such as:
- Auto locksmithing
- Smart lock technology
- Commercial access control systems
- Safes
Specialised skills not only differentiate you from competitors but also allow you to charge premium rates.
Build a Strong Online Presence
Having a professional well designed website is essential for attracting customers in today’s day and age. Ensure your website site is optimised for local SEO so that potential customers can easily find you online quickly in an emergency.
Also, encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews on Google and other platforms. A strong online reputation is a powerful tool.
Offer Emergency Services
Emergency callouts are one the most profitable locksmith services. While they require availability during unsociable hours, the higher charges associated with after hours call outs can significantly boost your income. Being prepared with the right tools for the job and a reliable vehicle will ensure you can respond quickly to emergency jobs.
Diversify Your Services
Adding additional services can help you attract a broader customer base. For example, consider offering security surveys, safe installation, or door repairs. These additional services can lead to higher earnings and position you as an all in one security expert.
Focus on Customer Satisfaction
Providing excellent service is the key to retaining customers and generating referrals. Being punctual, polite, and professional goes a long way in building trust and loyalty with customers. Repeat custom and word of mouth recommendations can provide a good stream of income over time.
Challenges and Rewards of a Locksmith Career
Like any profession, locksmithing comes with its challenges. The work can be physically demanding, especially when working with heavy doors or working in bad weather conditions. Additionally, running a business involves managing marketing, accounting, and customer service, which can be time consuming and exhausting.
However, the rewards can often outweigh the challenges. Locksmithing offers job security, independence, and the satisfaction of helping people in difficult situations. For those willing to put in the effort, the financial rewards can be substantial. But it certainly won’t be easy!
Is Locksmithing a Good Career Choice?
Absolutely! Locksmithing is a very rewarding career with significant earning potential. Whether you’re just starting or looking to expand your existing locksmith business, there are numerous different opportunities to grow and succeed. With the right skills, tools, and marketing strategy, you can establish yourself in the industry and enjoy a fulfilling career.
