Locksmiths and Safe Repairers
Machines can already do 14% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 47%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Locksmiths and Safe Repairers in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 14% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2036, and 47% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 15,040 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $51,320 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 81% for contact with people.
- Also called: Certified Professional Safe Technician (CPS), CML (Certified Master Locksmith), CMS (Certified Master Safecracker), Forensic Locksmith.
- Competency here means how well the best AI model, tool or robot available can do a task, scored out of 100: today using the best available now, and for later years the 311 prediction of what AI and robots will be able to do.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Install door hardware, such as locks and closers | 16% | 20% to 60% | |
| Disassemble mechanical or electrical locking devices, and repair or replace worn tumblers, springs, and other parts, using hand tools | 13% | 3% to 30% | |
| Insert new or repaired tumblers into locks to change combinations | 12% | 20% to 60% | |
| Cut new or duplicate keys, using key cutting machines | 12% | 20% to 60% | |
| Install alarm and electronic access systems | 7% | 3% to 30% | |
| Unlock cars and other vehicles | 7% | 3% to 30% | |
| Move picklocks in cylinders to open door locks without keys | 6% | 3% to 30% | |
| Set up and maintain master key systems | 6% | 3% to 30% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills locksmiths and safe repairers use most, most used first.
Human value: what makes people in this job hard to replace
How much locksmiths and safe repairers rely on each one, from 0 to 10. 311 estimates, medium confidence.
- Go-to problem solver5/10
- Trust and reliability8/10
- Know-how about the organisation3/10
- Network and relationships6/10
- Mentoring and developing others4/10
- Culture and morale3/10
- Initiative beyond the role4/10
- Calm in a crisis5/10
- Bridge between teams1/10
- Reputation and influence3/10
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Fire Inspectors and Investigators46% of tasks by 2035 · US median $75,920
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers42% of tasks by 2035 · US median $93,530
- Recreational Vehicle Service Technicians40% of tasks by 2035 · US median $52,000
- Fishing and Hunting Workers46% of tasks by 2035
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Locksmiths and Safe Repairers?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2036. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of locksmiths and safe repairers?
Machines can do 14% of the tasks of locksmiths and safe repairers today and 47% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 49-9094.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring, forecast and human value: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit (human value scores are 311 estimates, medium confidence); after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Locksmiths and Safe Repairers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/locksmiths-and-safe-repairers/