Where does a locksmith salary sit against the national full‑time average?
If you are a locksmith or employ one, you probably want to know how the pay compares with what other full‑time workers earn. The short answer is that the Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish a specific average weekly earnings figure for locksmiths. The Jobs and Skills Australia occupation profile for locksmiths (ANZSCO 323313) lists median weekly earnings as N/A – the survey sample is too small to produce a reliable estimate. That does not mean the data is useless. We can still place a locksmith salary in context using the national benchmarks and the factors that push pay above or below the line.
The national full‑time average: the line
The site’s line is the full‑time adult ordinary‑time average from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey. For May 2026 that figure is $2,083.70 a week, or $108,352 a year (multiplied by 52). This is the average before tax for full‑time employees paid at adult rates, excluding overtime. It is the most current national benchmark from the ABS, released twice a year (May and November).
By comparison, the full‑time median (the middle point, less affected by very high earners) is about $90,532 a year from the ABS Employee Earnings survey, August 2025. The all‑employees median (including part‑time and casual) is about $74,100. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 an hour, or $1,004.90 a week on 38 hours ($52,255 a year). Award minimums – which cover most locksmiths – rose by 4.75% from that date.
What the occupation data tells us
Jobs and Skills Australia reports that there are about 2,700 locksmiths employed nationally. The workforce is overwhelmingly male (96% male, 4% female) and the median age is 38, slightly younger than the all‑occupations median of 40. About 76% work full‑time, and those full‑time workers average 42 hours per week – a little below the all‑occupations average of 44 hours.
Because the median weekly earnings figure is not published, we cannot say exactly where the typical locksmith sits. But we can look at the industry and award context. Most locksmiths fall under the Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2020 or the Security Services Industry Award 2020. The Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database (updated 1 July 2026) contains the minimum rates for classifications under these awards. A qualified locksmith at the C10 or equivalent level under the Manufacturing Award earns a minimum weekly rate that, on a 38‑hour week, is well above the national minimum wage but below the $2,083.70 full‑time average. With allowances for call‑outs, overtime, and special tools, total weekly earnings can rise.
Factors that move pay above or below the average
Experience and specialisation – A locksmith who works on high‑security systems, electronic access control, or safes can command higher rates than someone doing basic key cutting and lock changes. Senior or supervisory roles also lift pay.
Location – State full‑time averages vary significantly. The highest is the ACT at $119,090, followed by Western Australia at $115,825 and New South Wales at $109,658. The lowest is Tasmania at $96,008. A locksmith in Canberra or Perth is more likely to be near or above the national average than one in Hobart. See States and territories for the full breakdown.
Public vs private sector – Public‑sector full‑time ordinary‑time earnings average $2,263.10 a week ($117,681 a year), while private‑sector average is $2,034.10 ($105,773). Locksmiths employed by government departments, schools, or public housing may earn more than those in private shops.
Hours and overtime – Full‑time locksmiths average 42 hours a week. Overtime at penalty rates can push weekly pay above the ordinary‑time average. Casual loading (usually 25%) also lifts hourly rates but does not guarantee regular hours.
Part‑time work – 24% of locksmiths work part‑time. Part‑time earnings are lower per week, so the all‑employees average for locksmiths would be below the full‑time average.
How to see where your pay sits
You can Place a salary on the line using the site’s tool. Enter your yearly before‑tax salary and it will show your weekly and hourly equivalent on a 38‑hour week, plus the distance from the $108,352 full‑time average. The tool uses the same ABS and Fair Work sources discussed here.
The bottom line
Without a published median or average for locksmiths, the best guide is the national full‑time average of $108,352. A locksmith with experience, in a high‑paying state, working full‑time with regular overtime is likely to be near or above that line. A less experienced locksmith, or one working part‑time or in a low‑paying region, will probably be below it. The award minimums provide a floor, but the market and individual circumstances determine where each locksmith lands.
For more on how the figures are set, see How the figures are set. For a broader view of other trades, visit Job medians.