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What Is Locksmithing?

Locksmithing is the skilled trade of designing, installing, adjusting, repairing, and defeating lock mechanisms. Locksmiths make keys, re-key locks, open locked doors for people who’ve lost their keys, install security hardware, and — yes — know how to pick locks. The trade is roughly 4,000 years old, making it one of the oldest security professions on the planet.

A Short History of Locks

The oldest known lock was found in the ruins of the palace of Khorsabad near Nineveh, dating to about 2000 BCE. It was a wooden pin tumbler lock — surprisingly similar in principle to modern pin tumbler locks. The Egyptians developed their own wooden locks around the same era.

Metal locks appeared in Rome, where wealthy citizens used small metal devices carried on rings (the origin of the keyring). But lock technology remained fairly primitive for centuries. Medieval locks were large, crude affairs — security through size and brute strength rather than mechanical cleverness.

The real revolution came in the 18th and 19th centuries. Robert Barron patented the double-acting lever tumbler lock in 1778. Jeremiah Chubb improved it in 1818. And in 1848, Linus Yale Sr. invented the modern pin tumbler lock — the mechanism you’ll find in roughly 90% of residential doors today. His son, Linus Yale Jr., refined it further and founded the Yale Lock Manufacturing Company.

What Locksmiths Actually Do

The job is more varied than most people realize. A working locksmith might handle:

Residential lockouts. Someone’s locked out of their house at 2 AM. They call a locksmith. The locksmith arrives, identifies the lock type, and opens it — usually by picking, though sometimes by other non-destructive methods. This is the bread-and-butter work for many locksmiths, and it’s the scenario most people imagine when they think of the profession.

Re-keying. Changing the internal pins of a lock so old keys no longer work and new keys do. This is cheaper than replacing the entire lock and is commonly done when people move into a new home, lose keys, or end relationships. A skilled locksmith can re-key a standard pin tumbler lock in 10-15 minutes.

Lock installation. Putting new locks on doors, including cutting holes in doors for new hardware (a process called “boring”). Commercial installations can be complex, involving multiple lock types, access control systems, and fire code compliance.

Automotive work. Modern car locks and ignition systems are increasingly electronic, requiring specialized equipment to program transponder keys and key fobs. This has become a major revenue source for locksmiths, partly because dealer key replacement is extremely expensive — often $200-400+ for a single key fob.

Safe work. Opening, repairing, and installing safes. This is a specialized niche requiring additional training. Opening a locked safe without the combination involves techniques ranging from manipulation (listening to the internal mechanisms) to drilling.

Electronic security. Access control systems, keypad locks, smart locks, and integrated building security. This area is growing rapidly as technology changes how buildings are secured.

The Tools

A locksmith’s toolkit includes:

• Pick sets — thin metal tools inserted into the lock to manipulate internal components
• Tension wrenches — applied to the lock cylinder to create rotational pressure while picking
• Key machines — mechanical or computerized devices that cut keys from blanks
• Plug followers — cylindrical tools used when re-keying to prevent springs from popping out
• Scope and decoder tools — for reading internal lock configurations
• Impressioning tools — for creating keys by inserting a blank and reading the marks left by the pins
• Drill and extraction tools — for destructive entry as a last resort

Modern automotive locksmiths also carry electronic programming equipment, sometimes costing $5,000-15,000 for professional-grade units.

Lock Picking: The Skill Everyone Asks About

Lock picking is the technique of opening a lock without the key by manipulating its internal components — typically pins in a pin tumbler lock. It sounds mysterious. It’s actually based on a simple mechanical reality: manufactured locks have tiny imperfections in their tolerances.

In a pin tumbler lock, spring-loaded pins must be pushed to exactly the right height for the cylinder to turn. With a tension wrench applying slight rotational pressure and a pick lifting pins one at a time, a locksmith exploits microscopic tolerance variations to set each pin at the correct height.

On a basic lock, a skilled picker can do this in 30 seconds to a few minutes. High-security locks with tighter tolerances, security pins, and additional mechanisms take much longer — or may resist picking entirely, requiring other methods.

There’s a large hobbyist lock-picking community, organized through groups like Locksport International and online forums. Competitive lock picking exists. It’s legal to own picks in most U.S. states (a few restrict possession), but using them to open locks you don’t own or don’t have permission to open is, of course, illegal.

The Business Side

Many locksmiths are self-employed or run small businesses. The profession offers genuine independence — a van, tools, a phone, and skills are really all you need to start. Overhead is relatively low compared to other trades.

The downside is the scam problem. “Locksmith scams” — where fake companies advertise low prices, then show up and charge hundreds of dollars for basic work — have plagued the industry for years. These operations often aren’t staffed by actual locksmiths. They damage the profession’s reputation and undercut legitimate businesses.

Professional associations like ALOA (Associated Locksmiths of America) have pushed for stricter licensing and certification to combat scams and establish professional standards.

The Future

Smart locks, keyless entry, biometric systems, and app-controlled access are changing the security industry. Some people have predicted the “death” of traditional locksmithing. That hasn’t happened — people still have physical locks, still get locked out, and still need someone who understands mechanical security.

But the profession is shifting. Locksmiths who can work with electronic access control, program automotive transponders, and integrate physical and digital security systems are positioning themselves for long-term relevance. The lock is evolving. The locksmith is evolving with it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do locksmiths earn?

The median annual wage for locksmiths in the U.S. is about $46,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Experienced locksmiths in high-demand areas can earn $60,000-80,000+, especially those specializing in commercial security, automotive locks, or safe work. Self-employed locksmiths who run their own businesses can earn more but also carry higher overhead costs.

How do you become a locksmith?

Most locksmiths learn through apprenticeships, trade school programs, or on-the-job training. Some states require licensing. The Associated Locksmiths of America offers professional certifications (CRL, CPL, CML) that demonstrate competency. A full apprenticeship typically takes 1-3 years, though you can learn basic skills in a few months.

Can a locksmith open any lock?

A skilled locksmith can open the vast majority of locks, though high-security locks take more time and specialized knowledge. Methods include picking, impressioning, decoding, and bypassing. Destructive entry (drilling) is a last resort. Some electronic and smart locks require different approaches entirely.

Further Reading

• Associated Locksmiths of America
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Locksmith Careers
• Smithsonian: History of Locks