Prevailing Wage for Locksmiths and Safe Repairers
Prevailing wage for Locksmiths and Safe Repairers (SOC 49-9094) is set by DOL using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys across hundreds of U.S. metro areas. Whether your offer lists you as a Lock Technician, a Certified Master Locksmith (CML), or a Certified Professional Safe Technician (CPS), the same four experience levels apply, and the floor shifts significantly depending on where the worksite is located.
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Entry-level locksmiths with limited hands-on experience, typically performing routine key cutting, basic lock installation, and tasks under direct supervision. No specialization in safes or electronic security systems is expected at this stage.
Qualified locksmiths working independently on a broad range of residential, commercial, and automotive locks. Level 2 is the most common filing level for Locksmiths and Safe Repairers, reflecting the typical journeyman with two to four years of field experience.
Experienced technicians who handle complex safe work, electronic access systems, or forensic locksmithing with minimal oversight. Candidates often hold credentials such as Certified Master Locksmith (CML) or specialize in high-security safe servicing.
Fully competent locksmiths in senior, lead, or master-technician roles responsible for training others, managing service accounts, or directing shop operations. Certified Master Safecracker (CMS) designations and supervisory scope typically anchor filings at this level.
Prevailing Wage for Locksmiths and Safe Repairers by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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Watch for safe-technician title mismatches
Employers sometimes file LCAs under a broader maintenance SOC rather than SOC 49-9094, which can set a lower prevailing wage floor. Confirm that your offer letter title matches the DOL occupational title for this role before signing.
Factor in service-call bonuses carefully
Locksmiths in commercial or high-security contracts often receive per-job bonuses that do not count toward the prevailing wage calculation. Your base or hourly guaranteed pay must clear the DOL floor independently of those variable amounts.
Compare metro wages before accepting a worksite
The prevailing wage for this occupation spans a wide range from lower-cost metros in the South and Southwest to high-cost markets in California and Connecticut. Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the exact floor for the city where you will physically work.
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Migrate Mate shows historical visa sponsorship counts by employer, so you can identify which companies have actually filed H-1B or green card petitions for Locksmiths and Safe Repairers rather than assuming any locksmith firm will sponsor.
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Find Jobs for Locksmiths and Safe RepairersPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 49-9094.00 alongside Locksmiths and Safe Repairers, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Certified Professional Safe Technician (CPS) Prevailing Wage
Certified Professional Safe Technician (CPS) Prevailing Wage
Certified Professional Safe Technician (CPS) positions fall under SOC 49-9094.00 (Locksmiths and Safe Repairers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
CML (Certified Master Locksmith) Prevailing Wage
CML (Certified Master Locksmith) Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a CML (Certified Master Locksmith) for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 49-9094.00 (Locksmiths and Safe Repairers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
CMS (Certified Master Safecracker) Prevailing Wage
CMS (Certified Master Safecracker) Prevailing Wage
CMS (Certified Master Safecracker) is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 49-9094.00 (Locksmiths and Safe Repairers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Forensic Locksmith Prevailing Wage
Forensic Locksmith Prevailing Wage
Forensic Locksmith positions fall under SOC 49-9094.00 (Locksmiths and Safe Repairers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Lock Technician (Lock Tech) Prevailing Wage
Lock Technician (Lock Tech) Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Lock Technician (Lock Tech) for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 49-9094.00 (Locksmiths and Safe Repairers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Locksmith Prevailing Wage
Locksmith Prevailing Wage
Locksmith is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 49-9094.00 (Locksmiths and Safe Repairers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Road Service Locksmith Prevailing Wage
Road Service Locksmith Prevailing Wage
Road Service Locksmith positions fall under SOC 49-9094.00 (Locksmiths and Safe Repairers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
RST (Registered Safe Technician) Prevailing Wage
RST (Registered Safe Technician) Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a RST (Registered Safe Technician) for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 49-9094.00 (Locksmiths and Safe Repairers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Safe Technician (Safe Tech) Prevailing Wage
Safe Technician (Safe Tech) Prevailing Wage
Safe Technician (Safe Tech) is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 49-9094.00 (Locksmiths and Safe Repairers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Vault Technician (Vault Tech) Prevailing Wage
Vault Technician (Vault Tech) Prevailing Wage
Vault Technician (Vault Tech) positions fall under SOC 49-9094.00 (Locksmiths and Safe Repairers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Locksmiths and Safe Repairers?
DOL calculates prevailing wages using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics from employer surveys across every major U.S. metro area. For SOC 49-9094, those survey results are converted into four wage levels corresponding to entry through fully competent experience. Employers sponsoring a locksmith or safe repairer on an H-1B or PERM green card must pay at least the level that matches the position's actual duties and required experience.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to my offer?
Level 1 covers entry-level work under close supervision, Level 2 covers independent journeyman work, Level 3 covers experienced specialists with advanced credentials or minimal oversight, and Level 4 covers senior or lead technicians. The level is determined by the employer's job requirements, not your personal experience. Review the duties listed in your job description and compare them against DOL's experience-level definitions. USCIS and OFLC both use those definitions when reviewing LCA and petition filings.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same locksmith role vary so much by city?
DOL's wage floors are derived from regional OES surveys, so they reflect local labor market conditions rather than a single national rate. A locksmith position in San Francisco carries a substantially higher floor than the same duties performed in Little Rock because local employer pay, cost of labor, and survey sample data all differ. Critically, the worksite address on the LCA controls which metro wage applies, not the employer's headquarters. If you work from a client site or mobile route in a specific metro, that metro's floor is what governs.
What happens if an employer offers a salary below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
DOL will not certify an LCA for a wage below the prevailing floor for the worksite location and level claimed. Without a certified LCA, the I-129 H-1B petition cannot be filed, and a PERM application will be denied. If an offer is already below the floor, the employer must raise the salary before filing. Accepting a below-floor offer does not waive the requirement; USCIS treats noncompliance as grounds to deny or revoke status.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for a Locksmiths and Safe Repairers position in a specific U.S. city?
The OFLC Wage Search tool lets you look up current DOL prevailing wages by SOC code, wage level, and metro area. Enter SOC 49-9094, select the metro where the work will be performed, and choose the level that matches the job description. You can also check O*NET for occupation details that help confirm the correct SOC. To find employers who have previously sponsored this role, Migrate Mate shows historical sponsorship activity by company so you can target your search before negotiating compensation.
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