by 
A Massachusetts locksmith career is a great way to earn a living.
Up in the New England region where all the college students live and commute, and there are frequent tourists through Boston, plenty of locksmiths get called up every single day.
Finding work is not hard at all in Massachusetts as a locksmith.
Learn more about how you can get started with becoming a locksmith in Massachusetts as soon as possible.
Earn your accredited, affordable Locksmith career diploma online with Penn Foster in as little as 2 months!
Article Table of Contents
Popular Programs
Steps to Become a Locksmith in Massachusetts
To become a locksmith in Massachusetts does not require certification or licensing.
Training is not mandatory to get started in this business in this state.
However, there are professional associations in this state to assist with direction in a locksmith’s career.
The Massachusetts Locksmith Association has been around since 1957 to help individuals who want to continue their education as locksmiths in Massachusetts.
This is a great resource for professionals.
There is a list of all the companies and locksmiths in the state, so you get a good grasp of this market.
This can also help a new locksmith decide on a business name or title based on the competition.
By becoming a member of the MLA, locksmiths have access to product catalogs, consumer alerts, and other professional resources
Getting listed in a locksmith directory like the MLA database also increases a locksmith’s marketing reach.
Once established as a locksmith, consider getting a business license in order to be eligible for business checking accounts and loans, as well as other business products.
Licensing Requirements to Become a Locksmith
There are no licensing requirements for someone wanting to become a locksmith in Massachusetts.
This allows anyone, whether they have a high school diploma or not, to be eligible to become a locksmith.
The career as a locksmith in Massachusetts varies from rural services to urban locksmith businesses based in Boston, Worcester, Quincy, Springfield, Lowell, or Cambridge.
Once deciding on an area to provide locksmithing services, it is a good idea to become a member of the local chamber of commerce.
This increases one’s marketing reach and networking opportunities dramatically in most small towns in Massachusetts.
Locksmith Programs
There are many locksmith training programs in Massachusetts at specialized schools around the state.
Here are a few examples that include traditional in-person training and online locksmith courses.
- The Peterson School provides a locksmith technician program. This 11-week training program is applicable to students who want to become commercial, industrial, and/or domestic locksmiths while handling new installations, maintenance, and repairs on safes and locks. Tuition is $1,600 and books plus fees are $450. Training is available locally in Westwood and Worcester, MA during the fall and spring semesters. Background checks (CORI) are required for new applicants to the program.
- The North Bennet St. School is located in Boston and provides small class instruction for students interested in receiving a diploma in locksmithing and security technology. The program runs for nine months and takes 36 weeks or 900 hours. Tuition is $2,333, while tools are $1,900 and books are $200, plus $100 for room and board for a “class trip” during the training.
- Penn Foster also offers a locksmith and home security technician training program. This is an online course that is $750 and takes eight to 12 months to complete.
Salary
The average salary for a locksmith in Massachusetts is $48,110 a year.
This ranges from $33,520 to $77,610 annually.
The close proximity to several busy urban centers and the other states in New England, including New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, make this a higher than average salary for a locksmith.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Boston | $61,005 |
| Worcester | $57,014 |
| Springfield | $56,175 |
| Lowell | $59,018 |
| Cambridge | $61,005 |
| Brockton | $58,639 |
| New Bedford | $57,068 |
| Fall River | $57,068 |
| Lynn | $61,005 |
| Quincy | $61,005 |
Regional Salary in Massachusetts
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | 350 | $58,650 | $28.2 | $74,600 | $36,580 |
| Springfield, MA-CT | 30 | $55,600 | $26.73 | $65,670 | $45,340 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best city for locksmiths in Massachusetts?
This depends on whether a locksmith wants to be busy or not.
If living and working in Boston or Cambridge lends more job opportunities but also more stress, as well as better pay rates.
Compare this to more rural historical towns like Norman Rockwell’s Stockbridge, or Hadley with a population of 5,000 and open field farming, where there are fewer locksmith duties.
Will a safer city in Massachusetts have more locksmithing needs?
The safest cities in Massachusetts are Franklin, Hopkinson, Shrewsbury, and Milton.
As a locksmith, safer cities are going to experience fewer pickpockets and broken security locks.
Therefore, typically in a safer city in MA, you are going to have fewer jobs as a locksmith.
That being said, certain industries require the service of a locksmith exclusively, such as banks and prisons.
This can increase the job potential in a city for a locksmith.
How do I prove I am a professional locksmith in Massachusetts?
Start by getting a business license and setting up a business account under your DBA business name for your locksmithing services.
This will protect your business and personal self against liability and other issues when in operation.
Locksmiths who are a part of the MLA in MA will also have some benefits in terms of protection against fraudulent customers.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Locksmith
Locksmith Training by State