Locksmith

Locksmiths are the unsung heroes of security, providing essential services that protect homes, businesses, and communities across the UK. With the rise of advanced locking systems and security technology, these skilled tradespeople are more vital than ever in ensuring safety and peace of mind for all.

Locksmith

4

Construction & Trades

AI IMPACT
AI CAN DO4%moving to49%
THE DOOR, NOWB
THE DOOR, 20 YRSC
STARTING PAY£20,000 - £25,000
PHYSICAL MOATThe work is hands-on, in the real world. Software alone can't do it.
This job holds up well against AI
AI cannot yet do much of what this job actually involves, and the work is hands-on, in the real world. Software alone can't do it. That is about as safe as careers get right now, though it is still worth learning to use the tools well.

Career progression path

1FIRST STEPJunior LocksmithAs a Junior Locksmith, you will assist experienced locksmiths in daily tasks, learning the trade while gaining hands-on experience. You will start with simpler jobs such as lock repairs and installations under supervision.£20,000 - £25,000
2GAINING EXPERIENCEMid-Level LocksmithIn this role, you will handle a wider range of locksmithing tasks independently, including emergency call-outs and complex installations. You will also begin to build a client base and may start training apprentices.£30,000 - £35,000
3PEAK CAREERSenior LocksmithAs a Senior Locksmith, you will lead projects, manage a team, and provide expert advice on security solutions. You may also engage in training and mentoring junior staff, as well as expanding your business operations.£40,000+
There is more than one way in

You do not have to go the university route to get here. There is an apprenticeship route into this career. There is also a vocational route that skips a degree entirely. Some employers will take you on here with no formal qualifications at all, if you can show you can do the work.

Careermash

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AI EXPOSURE = the share of a job's day-to-day tasks AI can already do today, from the same exposure engine used across this site (Anthropic labour market research, 2026, observed real-world AI usage by occupation). Higher means more exposed. It is a measurement of now, not a prediction. THE DOOR = how hard the job is to get into, grade A (easy) to E (extremely hard), from each career's published forecast (OpenAI, "The AI Jobs Transition Framework", Richmond 2026, CC BY 4.0). A card marked MOAT NOT YET CLASSIFIED has a real exposure score but no entry yet in our moat register, so we make no claim about what structurally protects it. Scorecard grades and verdicts are Careermash editorial judgment: we show forecasts as forecasts and own our conclusions. Salary and pathway figures are each career's own published profile. Careermash is a service provided by What School Ltd.

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