Locksmithing & Security Technology

The comprehensive Locksmithing & Security Technology program allows students to work in the field even as they develop critical skills. In the hands-on, nine-month program students study with an experienced locksmith in small classes. The program provides a firm grasp of the fundamentals and can enable you to do high-quality work after graduating.

You’ll learn locksmithing through a combination of classroom theory, lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on benchwork, surveying, and installation. You’ll graduate with the ability to service and repair all types of residential and commercial door-locking devices. You’ll also be familiar with security technology such as electronic access control systems.

The program space includes individual benches for each student, a room for instruction and demonstration, a resource library, and all the major equipment and tools you would find in a locksmithing shop. Classes meet five days a week in the mornings, and in your second semester, you can work part-time while continuing to learn the trade in class.

Schedule & Curriculum

  • Students are admitted in September and February.
  • The maximum enrollment is 13 students.
  • Classes meet 7:30 am – 12:30 pm, Monday – Friday, September through May.
  • The program length is one, nine-month academic year (36 weeks or 900 class hours*).
  • Classes meet five days a week in the mornings, and after your second semester, you can work part-time while continuing to learn the trade in class.
  • Students who complete the program receive a Diploma of Locksmithing & Security Technology.

* Class hours equals clock hours.

Join Us for Open House!

Our annual Open House offers a behind-the-scenes look at America’s first trade school. Join us on December 6 & 7 to explore our career training programs, discover dozens of community classes, shop our artisan market, connect with students and faculty, and more. Free and open to all.

Careers

Graduates of our Locksmithing & Security Technology program work for schools, security firms, small businesses, and on their own.

They have a variety of career options, such as:

  • Locksmith, safe technician, or safe repairer
  • Forensic locksmith
  • Certified Master Locksmith (CML)
  • Certified Master Safecracker (CMS)
  • Certified Master Safe Technician (CMST)
  • Certified Registered Locksmith (CRL)

According to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Locksmiths and Safe Repairers held about 15,380 jobs in 2021. The Occupational Information Network (O*Net) predicts that there may be a decline of locksmithing careers from 2020-30. However, the projected decline is less than 1%, and they estimate there will be roughly 1,800 job openings from 2020-30.

Payscale estimates that the average annual salary for a locksmith was $43,755 in 2022. The average hourly wage was $19.76. Employment levels, wages, and salaries for locksmiths vary by industry and state.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the industries with the highest levels of employment for locksmiths in 2021 are as follows:

  • Investigation and Security Services – Median annual salary: $45,060 | Median hourly wage: $21.66
  • Colleges and Universities – Median annual salary: $54,770 | Median hourly wage: $26.33
  • Elementary and Secondary Schools – Median annual salary: $52,080 | Median hourly wage: $25.04
  • Local Government – Median annual salary: $65,200 | Median hourly wage: $31.34
  • State Government – Median annual salary: $60,140 | Median hourly wage: $28.91

The top paying industries for locksmiths are:

  • Local Government – Median annual salary: $65,200 | Median hourly wage: $31.34
  • Real Estate – Median annual salary: $63,350 | Median hourly wage: $30.46
  • State Government – Median annual salary: $60,140 | Median hourly wage: $28.91
  • General Medical and Surgical Hospitals – Median annual salary: $60,090 | Median hourly wage: $28.89
  • Federal Executive Branch – Median annual salary: $59,900 | Median hourly wage: $28.80

Finally, the top paying states for locksmiths are:

  • California – Median annual salary: $52,930 | Median hourly wage: $25.45
  • Florida – Median annual salary: $39,930 | Median hourly wage: $19.20
  • Texas – Median annual salary: $42,770 | Median hourly wage: $20.56
  • New York – Median annual salary: $57,520 | Median hourly wage: $27.66
  • Illinois – Median annual salary: $45,530 | Median hourly wage: $21.89
13:1
Student to Faculty ratio
8
Locksmithing manufacturer guest lecturers each year
70%
Students who receive financial aid

People

Faculty

portrait of Eddy

Locksmithing & Security Technology Department Head

Christian Locke LK ’22

Locksmithing & Security Technology Teaching Assistant

Explore the Facilities

In our Locksmithing & Security Technology program, you’ll train in a one-of-a-kind learning environment. The facility includes individual benches for each student, a room for instruction/demonstration, an installation room, a resource library, and a brand new access control zone. 

Our state-of-the-art facility is stocked with major and specialized equipment, hardware, and technology needed to advance your career:

Take a Virtual Tour

Additional Information

2021 Locksmithing & Security Technology Graduate & Employment Report

  • 9 Locksmithing & Security Technology students started the program in September 2019 and had an intended graduation date of June 2020.
  • 78% of this student cohort graduated in 2020.
  • 86% of these graduates are employed in the field.
  • This data was officially reported to ACCSC in October 2021.

2022 Locksmithing & Security Technology Graduate & Employment Report

  • 5 Locksmithing & Security Technology students started the program in September 2020 and had an intended graduation date of June 2021, or started the program in February 2020 and had an intended graduation date of February 2021.
  • 75% of this student cohort graduated in 2021.
  • 67% of these graduates are employed in the field.
  • This data was officially reported to ACCSC in October 2022.

2023 Locksmithing & Security Technology Graduate & Employment Report

  • 9 Locksmithing & Security Technology students started the program in September 2021 and had an intended graduation date of June 2022, or started the program in February 2021 and had an intended graduation date of February 2022.
  • 100% of this student cohort graduated in 2022.
  • 43% of these graduates are employed in the field.
  • This data was officially reported to ACCSC in October 2023.

This disclosure is required by our accreditors, the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools & Colleges (ACCSC).

For each of our career training programs, we consult with a group of top professionals in the field to ensure our curriculum continues to meet industry needs and trends.

The Locksmithing & Security Technology Program Advisors are:

  • Daniel Heyligers
  • Stephen McKinney
  • Virginia M. Newbury
  • Jonathan Nir LK ’17, CA ’18
  • Michael Samra LK ’87
  • Jeffrey G. Schwartz
  • Dave Troiano
  • Rick Weisse