# Will locksmiths be replaced by AI? Updated October 2026 Locksmiths score 15 out of 100 for AI exposure. 85% of their task time needs a person. AI can do 7% and helps with 8%. - **7%** AI can do it - **8%** AI helps - **85%** Needs a person Low exposure Lower than 89% of the 923 jobs we scored. ## Task by task We graded 14 tasks, most exposed first. AI can do 1 of them, helps with 1 and leaves 12 to people. | Task | AI exposure | | --- | --- | | Keep records of company locks and keys. Lock and key inventory records are routine digital data entry. | 70% AI can do it | | Set up and maintain master key systems. AI can help plan key hierarchies and documentation; person leads. | 45% AI helps | | Install alarm and electronic access systems. Physical installation; AI helps only with system configuration. | 18% Needs a person | | Cut new or duplicate keys, using impressions or code key machines. Physical key cutting; AI only helps with code lookup. | 12% Needs a person | | Cut new or duplicate keys, using key cutting machines. Operating key cutting machines is hands-on physical work. | 8% Needs a person | ## How locksmiths compare All jobs (923) Installation, maintenance and repair (50) The dark line is **locksmiths, at 15**. Each dot is a score, and darker dots mean more jobs share it. The short marks are the averages, 37 for all jobs and 21 for installation, maintenance and repair. ## Pay and outlook in the US Median pay $51,320 a year, May 2025 People employed 15,040 in the US, May 2025 Projected change in jobs \-11.7% from 2024 to 2034 ## Skills to build - Install alarm and electronic access systems on site - Cut keys on code key machines and key cutting machines - Drill and open safe locks on site - Lead master key system design and keying documentation - Install safes and vault doors from blueprints with truck cranes - Schedule and route service calls in Scheduling software ## Safer roles nearby 5 related jobs with lower scores. - [Electrician helpers10 out of 100](https://www.aigentcy.com/ai-exposure/electrician-helpers/) - [Millwrights12 out of 100](https://www.aigentcy.com/ai-exposure/millwrights/) - [Plumber helpers10 out of 100](https://www.aigentcy.com/ai-exposure/plumber-helpers/) - [Clockmakers13 out of 100](https://www.aigentcy.com/ai-exposure/clockmakers/) - [Auto glass installers9 out of 100](https://www.aigentcy.com/ai-exposure/auto-glass-installers/) ## Questions about locksmiths and AI Will AI replace locksmiths? Partly. About 1 in 10 working hours go to tasks AI can already do, mostly keeping company lock and key records and setting up master key systems. Cutting keys, installing hardware and opening locks on site stay with people because they need a person's hands on the work. Which locksmith tasks is AI taking over? AI is taking over record keeping for company locks and keys, the most exposed task with an exposure score of 70. The work is routine digital data entry that software handles well. Master key system planning follows with an exposure score of 45, where AI drafts key hierarchies and documentation while a locksmith leads the decisions. Which locksmith tasks stay human? Picking locks in cylinders, opening vehicles on site and drilling safes stay with people. Their exposure scores are 3, 3 and 5, the lowest in the job. Each needs hands-on skill on a physical lock, car or safe, and drilling depends on judgement made on site. How can locksmiths stay valuable? Shift your time toward installation, safe work and key cutting, which score lowest for exposure. Take on alarm and electronic access system installs, an exposure score of 18, and safe installs with truck cranes and drills. Use Scheduling software and Mapping software to route jobs, and check AI-drafted key hierarchies before you sign off. ## Related jobs - [Mechanical door repairers17 out of 100](https://www.aigentcy.com/ai-exposure/mechanical-door-repairers/) - [Maintenance helpers16 out of 100](https://www.aigentcy.com/ai-exposure/maintenance-helpers/) - [Elevator installers18 out of 100](https://www.aigentcy.com/ai-exposure/elevator-installers/) - [Electric motor repairers19 out of 100](https://www.aigentcy.com/ai-exposure/electric-motor-repairers/) ## Next steps for locksmiths - ### Check your job Your job title is a rough guide. Your tasks decide your score. Paste your job description or CV to see which tasks AI can do. [Check your job](https://www.aigentcy.com/tools/ai-exposure-checker/) [Check your CV](https://www.aigentcy.com/tools/cv-checker/) - ### Estimate team savings The score is per person. Add headcount and salary to see the hours AI can take on in a team of locksmiths, and what they cost. [Estimate what AI saves a team of locksmiths](https://www.aigentcy.com/tools/team-ai-audit/?role=locksmiths) [Work out the return on automation](https://www.aigentcy.com/tools/ai-savings-calculator/) ### Check which roles in your team AI can take on We map your team's tasks, show what AI can do today and build the automations that pay back first. [Book an AI audit](https://www.aigentcy.com/audit/) ## Related topics - [**Jobs AI can't replace**Roustabouts score lowest, at 6.](https://www.aigentcy.com/ai-exposure/jobs-ai-cant-replace/) - [**Jobs most at risk from AI**Proofreaders score highest, at 76.](https://www.aigentcy.com/ai-exposure/jobs-most-exposed-to-ai/) - [**High-paying jobs with low AI exposure**Pediatric surgeons earn a median $559,030 and score 29.](https://www.aigentcy.com/ai-exposure/high-paying-jobs-low-ai-exposure/) - [**Entry-level jobs with low AI exposure**Roustabouts need little prior training and score 6.](https://www.aigentcy.com/ai-exposure/entry-level-jobs-low-ai-exposure/) - [**Jobs AI speeds up the most**AI helps with 98% of the task time for health informatics specialists.](https://www.aigentcy.com/ai-exposure/jobs-ai-speeds-up/) - [**AI and jobs in Malta**15 iGaming roles graded task by task.](https://www.aigentcy.com/ai-exposure/malta/) - [**Skills that keep work human**The skills to build in the jobs AI changes least.](https://www.aigentcy.com/ai-exposure/skills/) - [**Jobs A to Z**Every job we score, by first letter.](https://www.aigentcy.com/ai-exposure/jobs/) - [**AI exposure by industry**Average scores for 22 job groups.](https://www.aigentcy.com/ai-exposure/industries/) - [**Write a CV screening software can read**How applicant tracking systems read a CV, and what to change.](https://www.aigentcy.com/ai-exposure/cv-screening-guide/) - [**AI for businesses**The tasks to automate first in each team and industry.](https://www.aigentcy.com/ai-for/) - [**How we score AI exposure**The grading, the weights and every source.](https://www.aigentcy.com/ai-exposure/methodology/) Sources and licences Occupation data from the O\*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and modified by Aigentcy. O\*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Wage, employment and projection data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. EU occupation names from ESCO, European Commission. AI usage signals from the Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY) and Microsoft Research (CC BY 4.0). [Methodology and sources](https://www.aigentcy.com/ai-exposure/methodology/). Scores © Aigentcy. Quote them with a link to the page.