What can a locksmith expect to earn???

[pauly003]

I am studying to become a locksmith and was wondering what kind of money i can expect to earn working in a shop. I know it depends on your location and experience but i was just hoping for a general idea. I live in canada and from what i can gather i could expect to earn anywhere from 13 to 24 dollars, which is preety darn good for a guy who is used to earning 9 bucks an hour working at crappy factory jobs. Anyway, i will attempt to set up a poll on the subject. I am mainly looking for canadian responses, seeing as that is where i will be working, but anyone is free to answer.

Thanks all

I just figured out i dont know how to set up a poll yet so look for it in another post, sorry.

[Romstar]

In Ontario, that isn't too far out of expectations. Especially if you are earning an hourly wage in the shop.

On the other hand, if you are paid by the job, it will depend on how many jobs, what they consist of and a variety of other factors.

If you are exceptionally good at your work, and the shop is busy, and you are paid hourly you can expect a certain level of wage increase, but by and large this is the reason that many people start their own business. They reach the salary cap and are looking to make more.

In Nova Scotia, many starting locksmiths are paid $11.00 per hour, and the wage goes up from there depending on experience and skill. I have seen a few first year guys get as high as $18.00 oper hour, and a few guys who have been at it for longer make less.

Bear in mind, wages in Nova Scotia tend to be less than Ontario.

Good luck,
Romstar

[hellfire911]

As for me i'd charge by the lock type Like
Padlock:$10
Door Lock:$20
Car Lock:$35
Skeleton Key Ace Lock etc.:$60
Just my theory how it should be done. That is if I owned the business

[UWSDWF]

As for me i'd charge by the lock type Like
Padlock:$10
Door Lock:$20
Car Lock:$35
Skeleton Key Ace Lock etc.:$60
Just my theory how it should be done. That is if I owned the business

I'll take an abloy protec 340 padlock for $10 thanks

[kodierer]

$30 dollars is the typical vehicle lockout fee in my area in the us. I'm not sure about residential lockout, but I bet its more. I know they will make you a new key through decoding of whatever kind they decide(impressioning, reading wafers, etc) for about $70 here.
Key duplication usually costs around $3.50 a key. Then there is the profit you can make selling locks. I'm not sure how much you would charge for to rekey a lock, or to install one, but I think $50 per lock is fair.
So if you owned your business, and you charged the typical prices in your area, and worked out of your basement, or garage. I would say that you could make pretty good money once you got the word out about yourself.