How to Become a Locksmith in Arkansas (2026)

Q: How long does locksmith training take in Arkansas?

Most people become a Locksmith in Arkansas through a short locksmith course or on-the-job training, plus a state locksmith license in states that require one.

Q: How much do locksmiths earn in Arkansas?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), locksmiths in Arkansas earned a median annual wage of approximately $35,770. Employment concentration in Arkansas is roughly 0.83 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole.

Q: What is the job outlook for locksmiths in Arkansas?

Arkansas currently employs approximately 100 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -8.3% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated August 27, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Arkansas employs about 100 locksmiths earning a median $35,770 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Locksmith here means completing a short locksmith course or on-the-job training, plus a state locksmith license in states that require one. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.

Arkansas employs approximately 100 locksmiths according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $35,770 ¹. Nationally, locksmith employment is projected to grow -8.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 1,700 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a Locksmith in Arkansas, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: locksmith course or on-the-job training (find programs)
Typical timeline: a short locksmith course or on-the-job training, plus a state locksmith license in states that require one
Exam: state locksmith exam where the state licenses the trade
Median wage (Arkansas): $35,770 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Locksmith in Arkansas

How to become a Locksmith in Arkansas? Complete a short locksmith course or on-the-job training, plus a state locksmith license in states that require one. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.

How long does it take? Most people finish a short locksmith course or on-the-job training, plus a state locksmith license in states that require one. Confirm current hour totals with the program and employer.

Do I need a license in Arkansas? Licensing varies. Confirm with the program and employer. See the licensing section below.

What do locksmiths earn in Arkansas? The median annual wage for locksmiths in Arkansas is $35,770 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $28,360 and experienced professionals can earn $59,120 or more ¹.

How to Become a Locksmith in Arkansas

Get training. Complete a locksmith course or paid on-the-job training. This is not a multi-year registered apprenticeship in most states.
Apply for a state license only where one exists. Some states license locksmiths through a state agency. Many states have no statewide locksmith license.
Optional industry credentials. ALOA credentials can help hiring. They do not replace a state locksmith license where one is required.
Confirm local rules. Some cities add permits. Confirm licensing with the employer.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Locksmith License Requirements in Arkansas

Most states do not license locksmiths. Some states certify this role; most do not. Confirm licensing with the employer.

Typical path

Complete a course or OJT.
Apply to the employer in states that license the trade.
Optional ALOA credentials.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the employer before you enroll.

Locksmith Wages by Metro Area in Arkansas

Locksmiths and Safe Repairers Wages by Metro Area in Arkansas

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), locksmiths and safe repairers wages in Arkansas vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Memphis	80	$48,430	$53,340	$36,900	$71,970
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway	40	$37,190	$42,160	$28,390	$59,200

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for locksmiths in Arkansas? Arkansas currently employs approximately 100 locksmiths ¹. Nationally, locksmith employment is projected to grow -8.3% from 2024 to 2034 ².

Can I work as a locksmith in Arkansas with an out-of-state license? Confirm reciprocity rules with the program and employer.

What training programs are available in Arkansas? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Arkansas.

How much do locksmiths earn in Arkansas compared to the national average? The median annual wage for locksmiths in Arkansas is $35,770, which is $14,720 below the national median of $50,490 according to BLS data ¹.

In Arkansas

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Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)