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In Minnesota, the busiest areas for locksmiths are, not surprisingly, Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington.
Did you know that Bloomington is the city where the largest mall in the US—the Mall of America—is located?
That is most likely a hot spot for vehicle owners to lock their keys in their automobile and require services.
However, this area is also known as the Twin Cities thanks to Minneapolis and St. Paul and their joint histories.
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Find out more facts about becoming a locksmith in Minnesota.
Steps to Become a Locksmith in Minnesota
Finding out how to become a locksmith in Minnesota starts with evaluating the marketplace.
There were 220 locksmiths in Minnesota as of 2018, down from 300 locksmiths and safe repairers in 2017.
Jobs are declining as a result of COVID-19, but this shows room for expansion once the pandemic is over.
The state stands to hire more locksmiths, which opens this field up for students interested in training to become a locksmith.
Once someone trains to be a locksmith in a formal program, they are ready to apply for a locksmith business license.
In Minnesota, individuals are required to complete a background check and fingerprinting, as well as a drug test, in order to start working as a locksmith.
This is required for insurance purposes and for public safety.
While in locksmith training, students learn all the ways to pick locks and repair broken locking mechanisms.
This includes working with high-tech security systems involving retina scanning and other similar devices.
As a result, the FBI wants to make sure individuals are who they say they are, and that they are safe to provide such a degree of security-related services.
Licensing Requirements to Become a Locksmith
Once trained as a locksmith, what are the next steps for a new locksmith in Minnesota in order for them to start earning a living wage?
Training is not required in Minnesota and neither is certification.
However, training is a smart investment to make for locksmiths who want to provide the most in service.
A formal training program for a locksmith, including online locksmith training, allows individuals to fully become up-to-date on the latest methods, tools, mechanisms, and technologies that go into door locks, safe locks, and other types of locks.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison states that the state does not require locksmiths to be licensed or bonded.
However, in order to get a business license as a small business owner, there may be the requirement to be bonded.
Bonding involves purchasing and maintaining business insurance to protect a business, its owner, and its customers.
Tools are also required, including basic locksmithing tools, as well as technology to help repair safes and locking mechanisms.
Locksmith Programs
How to become a locksmith in Minnesota, where the Twin Cities are the biggest urban centers?
Find a locksmith operating in your area and request a consultation.
Find out if they would be willing to hire you as an apprentice.
This is the best way to train to be a locksmith in Minnesota.
You can also contact local workforce development programs at a trade school.
While these schools do not always offer locksmith certificates, they may have resources and connections to help you get established in other ways.
For example, you might want to train in a similar field and work in precision systems maintenance to learn more about this type of work.
Here you have a very frozen state most of the time.
Locksmiths in Minnesota need to be prepared for the frigid temperatures that are often below zero.
This can be challenging, and outside of the Twin Cities, the rest of the state is mostly rural and isolated.
This, too, can be an issue when trying to find a job as a Minnesota locksmith.
However, for a locksmith who has the mode of transportation available to travel across the state in order to answer a call, then there will be plenty of work.
Salary
In Minnesota, the salary for a locksmith ranges from $46,973 to $61,041 per year.
This is based on the average of the US locksmith, which earns a salary of $54,145 approximately.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Minneapolis | $57,686 |
| St. Paul | $57,686 |
| Duluth | $51,356 |
| Rochester | $52,439 |
| Burnsville | $57,523 |
| Adams | $51,952 |
| Beaver Bay | $50,869 |
| Cedar | $56,956 |
| Delavan | $51,952 |
| Park Rapids | $49,986 |
Regional Salary in Minnesota
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 80 | $45,940 | $22.09 | $64,890 | $23,610 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the climate like in Minnesota for locksmiths?
For at least eight months out of the year, this midwestern state receives a heavy cold front due to being the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
The negative temperatures and snowfall that frequently hit the state make locksmithing more difficult.
However, with experience, you can become a locksmith in Minnesota.
How populated is Minnesota for locksmith jobs?
Minnesota has a population of about 5.7 million residents, which is five times its neighbors of South Dakota and Montana with about 1 million people each.
Statistically, Minnesota has five times more locksmithing jobs than other states in the region, which makes this a good place to work as a locksmith.
Where should I work as a locksmith in Minnesota?
Ideally, someone new to locksmithing would start out in the Twin Cities.
As a result of the shopping at the Mall of America, and the tourists driving up to the 10,000 lakes, lots of people are locking their keys in their cars.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Locksmith
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