How to Become a Locksmith in Montana

As a locksmith and safe repairer, your primary job is to provide lock and key installation, repair, and maintenance.

Whether you are a contractor or employed by a service shop, there are plenty of places to work as a locksmith.

In addition, every small town and big city in Montana needs locksmiths and safe repairers.

Learn more about what it takes to be a locksmith in Montana and how much this job pays.

Steps to Become a Locksmith in Montana

1. Enroll at a school in Montana or nationally that provides locksmith and safe repair training.
2. Find an apprenticeship program in Montana that will let you work for free as an intern.
3. Train and practice the craft of locksmithing.
4. Invest in quality tools and materials for the occupation.
5. Get a diploma or certificate from a locksmith training course in Montana.
6. Purchase insurance to protect you as a locksmith.
7. Start working immediately or apply for a job with a company that hires or contracts locksmiths and safe repairers.
8. Join locksmith trade associations, such as the Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA) Security Professionals Association, Inc.

Licensing Requirements to Become a Locksmith in Montana

Montana is lax about licensing requirements to become a locksmith and safe repairer.

There are no requirements to be in a professional organization or to complete any specialized training.

However, you do need to complete a training program that will lead to licensing.

To become eligible for employment or to get customers as a locksmith, you need to go through a few processes.

This includes:

• Get a business permit for an Ownership Structure.
• Receive a business license in locksmithing.
• Consider getting an MT seller’s permit if you are going to sell locksmithing items.
• If hiring others as an employer, apply for an MT EIN and federal EIN to be able to hire individuals to work for you.

You will also need to market and advertise your business or services as a locksmith to the general public.

Otherwise, you will want to find private customers as a contractor.

This involves working for major corporations or organizations that are hiring contracted locksmiths.

For example, you might be a contractor for a banking institution where you come around as needed to provide lock and safe services.

Locksmith Programs

Locksmithing programs in Montana are generally provided by employers who are interested in apprenticeships in the field.

The work of a locksmith is hands-on and requires ample practice, as well as professional training.

Otherwise, it would be too easy for just anyone to learn how to pick locks.

Therefore, to start an apprenticeship program, students must be able to pass a background check.

This ensures that all applicants to locksmith training are secure and safe themselves since breaking into safes and cars is not legal in most instances.

After all, we do not want everyone to know how to be able to pick locks.

That would jeopardize the integrity of locking mechanisms and safes.

Employers that are offering applied locksmithing and are open to apprentices include the following:

• Central Montana Lock and Key in Great Falls, MT
• All Lock, Inc. in Billings, MT
• Burdick’s Locksmith in Helena, MT
• Applied Lock and Key in Helena, MT

In addition, here are a few training programs that are offered around the state:

• The Institutional Locksmiths’ Association in Butler, WI
• Acme School, Locksmith Division in Worth, IL
• Arizona School of Locksmithing in Phoenix, AZ

Yes, these are all outside of the state of Montana.

However, due to a lack of professional training opportunities in MT, you may be best served by taking a course in one of these other three states.

Salary

The average salary for a locksmith in Montana is $45,901 according to Salary.com.

This is as of November 2022 and is based on a range between $40,082 and $50,855.

Compare this to the national salary for locksmiths and safe repairers.

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics states that locksmiths earn an average of $43,690 a year.

This is an average determined by salaries ranging from $27,080 to $69,170 annually.

These are salaries based on a wide variety of factors.

You will earn less as an entry-level locksmith, in comparison to your salary after you have 10,000 working hours under your belt.

The more experience you gain in this field of work, the better it is for your bottom line.

Annual Salary Range:* Salary information last updated 2024