How to Become a Locksmith in Alaska

There’s pretty much a lock for everything these days.

Metal locks have been the go-to for over 1,000 years.

Even the King of France had an obsession with locks that may or may not have been attributed to his lack of attention to the country before the revolution.

While your love of locks may not be that passionate, there is a lucrative opportunity for locksmiths.

Ready to unlock your career potential in Alaska?

We’re going to take you through everything you need to know to get started.

Steps to Become a Locksmith in Alaska

The first thing you will find helpful is to enroll in a trade class for becoming a locksmith.

Locating courses on the subject is as easy as looking through the local yellow pages for your city, as well as doing an online search for your area.

This can give you a good idea of the tools of the trade.

Once you’ve learned how to use these tools, the next thing to do would be to find an apprenticeship.

That’s perhaps the best way to become proficient with locks and business.

Contacting local businesses that specialize in the trade is a great way to find one open to help.

This is a great way to achieve some experience because not every lock that you encounter will be identical to the next.

Otherwise, why would anyone even need a locksmith?

After spending an extended amount of time with a reputable local locksmith company, you may feel it’s the place of employment that best suits you.

However, you may have aspirations of your own that don’t include you being an employee of someone else’s company, but rather your boss.

After obtaining a key-cutting machine, you can start your business with just a van, while focusing on only the most basic of locks.

Just make sure you register to get your business as well as get insurance to cover it.

As with all businesses, once you feel like you have learned all you can, that’s when you’ll find out that there is still a whole lot more that you can learn about.

Technology grows at an impressive rate in our day-to-day lives, including our places of employment.

This is, of course, just the same with a locksmith’s tools of the trade.

Don’t let yourself be overwhelmed though.

Manufacturers help to keep locksmiths up to date on any new and current technological advancements.

They will be the first to reach out about any upcoming tool breakthroughs.

Licensing Requirements to Become a Locksmith in Alaska

Locksmithing is not a trade that the government regulates in Alaska.

Essentially, that means there are no current licensing needs for locksmiths in any part of the state.

Starting a business as a locksmith would mean it gets registered with the state as a business but not specifically as a trade.

Locksmith Programs

Ashworth College

Study online in just a few months to become a working locksmith.

Tuition guarantees a very thorough, expert-taught course.

In addition, students will be sent beginner tools, access to the class smart device app, and a wide range of resources through the help center.

If you want to get a jumpstart discount, the total for the program is $699.

If it would suit your finances and schedule better, there is an option to make payments of $50 a month.

However, that will add an extra $200 to the total cost of the locksmithing programming.

Foley Belsaw Locksmithing

This is another great option for studying in the comfort of your living room.

From beginning to end, the class can go as fast as four months.

Students are also able to take their time in the lessons.

To get started, this program costs $800.

That fee includes a workbook that takes you through how keys work to corporate locksmithing needs.

There are almost 100 lessons throughout the entire course.

These help students navigate getting going as a beginner through to a mastery of the subject.

The final exam comes with personalized help from the instructor.

Salary

The average salary for locksmiths in Alaska is $56,763.

Of course, that amount can fluctuate depending on several factors, including location and years of experience.

Typically, a locksmith can expect to take home between $43,000 and $68,000.

Annual Salary Range:* Salary information last updated 2024