Wondering about a career in locksmithing

[Chaosut]

I live in Melbourne, Australia. And i was just wondering if it's advisable to pursue a career in locksmithing. I find locks very interesting, but it's more the pay i'm concerned about. What do you reckon the pay would be like?

[Raccoon]

I usually hear estimates that a new business owner takes a loss for the first 2 years of operation. You will not be making money any time soon. It is a long term investment.

[devildog]

Note Raccoon's answer--you need to be more specific: you want to start a locksmith business, you want to start a lockOUT business (simpler and definately cheaper), you want to be an employee and therefore apprentice your way up to being an full-out locksmith at which point you would...remain an employee of someone else or go start your own shop??? See what I mean? All are different.

[Chaosut]

Oops my bad. I would want to be an employee locksmith, i wouldn't wanna start my own business. Would you reckon the pay would be enough? Because i hink it would be a really cool job it's just whether the pay will be worth it.

[aussielockie]

I live in Melbourne, Australia. And i was just wondering if it's advisable to pursue a career in locksmithing. I find locks very interesting, but it's more the pay i'm concerned about. What do you reckon the pay would be like?

Hi

I lived and worked as a locksmith on Melbourne, AUS for over 10 years. I started as an apprentice and the pay was pretty ordinary. If you are mature age (over 21) the pay is somewhat better. But you are being paid to learn so while you are learning the pay is less that what it will be when you are qualified and have some experience. Based on expereince you could expect to earn between $25000 - $45000 per year once you are qualified. Hope this helps, good luck if you decide to persue a career in Locksmithing.

[!*AMP*!]

So, what are the average starting hourly positions around the US (and even overseas just to get an idea) for a beginning employee, and under the age of 21? I just put this question here to keep the threads down as it is pretty much the same question...

Needless to say I am considering a position at some of the locksmiths in our area, but was wondering what to expect...I mean are we talking minimum wage here?

[Kaotik]

Personally I would say around minimum wage or a little more depending on experience should be expected, being that learning would be a perk from getting more pay.

Depending on the person teaching you, that person may consider your past knowledge obsolete and would rather teach you in their own way as they see fit. It would be in a sence starting over from scratch again, but could progress as they realise how much you do know and how fast you pick up the knowledge given.

Most shops here in the states as well as locksmith unrelated shops and outfits are more willing to pay cheap for good help. So, I would recomend keeping your eyes out for those who would do this and find the most respectable and experienced shop operator to work for.

[!*AMP*!]

ok, thanks. Theres a lot of locksmiths in the area...one is quite large, and is the largest in the area. They currently hire around 18 employees. I'm not sure if it would be better to try for a job at a larger company (comparatively) or a more smaller, shop.

[Chaosut]

Thanks for the help, i'll keep my options open :D