A locksmith's day is made of 30 minute jobs spread across town. The skill is in the work, but the money is lost in the driving. A clear price list with a trip charge and an after-hours rate is what keeps a busy week profitable.
- Charge a trip or service fee on every call, then a flat price per task.
- Fixr lists most locksmith jobs at $100 to $200, with an hourly range of $50 to $125 by expertise.
- A house lockout runs $50 to $175 and rekeying $70 to $160 in Fixr's price table.
- Price nights and weekends higher. They cost you more and the customer is choosing speed.
Start with your labor rate
Start with the wage. The closest group the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes is locksmiths and safe repairers. In its May 2025 wage survey, that group's national mean wage was $26.67 an hour and the median was $24.68 (BLS OEWS 49-9094).
Add your labor burden on top: payroll taxes, workers' comp and any paid time off. If burden in your state comes to 20% of wages, a $25 an hour tech costs you $30 an hour. That loaded number is what goes into the job cost.
Fixr lists typical locksmith rates by expertise at $50 to $125 an hour, from apprentice to master (Fixr). Your rate should carry the drive between short jobs, which is where most of a locksmith's unbilled time goes.
Build a price list
Customers calling a locksmith want a number on the phone. Set flat prices for your common tasks, then add the trip fee and any after-hours charge.
| Service | Published price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Locksmith, typical job | $100 to $200 | Fixr |
| Locked out of house | $50 to $175 | Fixr |
| Rekeying locks | $70 to $160 | Fixr |
| Door lock repair | $50 to $200 | Fixr |
| Door lock installation | $100 to $300 | Fixr |
| Changing locks | $150 to $550 | Fixr |
| Key duplication | $10 to $25 | Fixr |
A worked example: rekeying a house
Four exterior cylinders on one key. Every input is an assumption.
- Time: 1 hour on site plus 0.5 hours of drive = 1.5 hours
- Loaded labor: 1.5 x $30 = $45
- Pins, keys and small parts: $16
- Drive: 14 miles x $0.76 = $10.64
- Direct cost: $45 + $16 + $10.64 = $71.64
- Overhead plus profit: 30% + 15% = 45% of the price
- Price: $71.64 / 0.55 = $130
That is about $32.50 a cylinder, and the job lands inside Fixr's $70 to $160 band for rekeying. Price each extra cylinder as a flat add-on.
Price after-hours calls on purpose
A lockout at 11 pm costs you sleep and a longer drive. Set an after-hours charge you are happy to work for, put it on your price list and say it on the phone. Customers who need it now will pay it, and the ones who can wait will book the morning.
Answer every call, quote from your list
Lockout customers call the next locksmith if nobody answers. On Grow, the AI receptionist answers on your Koira number and texts back missed calls in about a minute. It quotes only from your price list, and anything not on it comes to you as one question. After the job, the invoice goes out when you tap done and the customer can pay at the door.
Common locksmith pricing mistakes
- Quoting the task without the trip. The drive is often longer than the job.
- Same price at 2 pm and 2 am. Price the hour you work.
- Vague phone quotes. A clear list with a trip fee builds trust and avoids disputes at the door.
Questions contractors ask
How much should a locksmith charge for a lockout?
Your trip fee plus the time at your rate. Fixr lists house lockouts at $50 to $175.
How much should I charge to rekey a lock?
Fixr lists rekeying at $70 to $160. Price the first cylinder with the trip, then each extra cylinder as a flat add-on.
What is a fair hourly rate for a locksmith?
Fixr lists $50 to $125 an hour by level of expertise. Build yours from your costs and billable hours.
Should I charge more after hours?
Yes. Set it once, list it and tell callers before you drive out.
