Locksmith Ledger presents the results of our 2024 National Average Price Survey, intended as a tool to help our readers evaluate their pricing. Some locksmiths have set charges for certain services, such as cutting keys in the shop. However, more and more charges are a combination of service fee and/or hourly rates, plus mileage-based trip charges. And of course, quoting a larger project involves a site visit to assign an accurate value.
We don’t claim that this is a scientific survey, but we do try to address some trends. New this year is a question about price increases. Gas, labor and parts have all gone up, and many locksmiths need to increase prices proportionately to keep their businesses in the black.
This year’s response rate was the highest we’ve seen in years, so thank you so much to everyone who participated. We will share some of the comments, both good and bad, along with the results.
Labor Charges
In 2024, the average service call fee was $94, and average labor charges were $104 during regular hours and $151 after hours. By comparison, 2023’s average service call was $90 and the average hourly rates (labor charges) were $95 during regular hours and $148 after hours.
So price increases based on hourly rates were very modest during the past year. This doesn’t tell the full story. Trip charges, minimum charges and mileage fees have all increased while hourly rates remained the same.
Some of our readers were kind enough to share their pricing strategies. Note: the survey was anonymous, so we won’t be sharing any names.
We charge a service fee that increases as the distance increases. Then it depends on the job. Some jobs are hourly plus materials. Other services have steady charges. For example, to rekey a knob or deadbolt, we charge $20 plus service call fee.
I figure my fixed costs – insurance, lights, heat, water and such, divide it by 35, then figure in my payroll and taxes, then the owner’s cut to get my charges, less materials.
There is always a trip charge, plus labor time. Our trip charge is dependent on the distance. Within 20 miles is all the same. Over 20 miles, we charge $1.50/mile round trip, plus the travel time
We charge a service call and by the minute. Labor rate varies for jobs involving cabinets/desks, access control/CCTV and safes and vaults. Residential minimum is $150. Commercial minimum is service call plus one hour of labor.
We are focusing on quoting jobs rather than an hourly rate.
We always charge a trip fee. Labor is either billed hourly if multiple different services are needed or more than one tech is onsite. We bill by the service for rekey per cylinder or by lock installation per unit.
Trip charge is based on drive time per Google maps. Site charges are based on fixed fees for services performed.
2024 Price Increases
A new question this year asked about price increases. We asked our readers to select one of three options: No price increase, increase up to 10 percent and increase of 10 to 25 percent.
Many locksmiths report that their pricing is the same but their trip fees have increased. Others are reporting that increases were needed because their equipment, product, labor and gas costs have increased as well.
By percentages, 44 percent of locksmiths kept their prices the same, 27 percent raised prices by up to 10 percent and 29 percent raised prices 10 to 25 percent.
The biggest thing is the rise in the cost of hardware.
I am behind pricing of others in my area, plan on increased pricing for the upcoming year.
Need to keep charging more to keep up with the economy and provide a living wage to employees
We have set charges for things like rekeying and installing, and hourly rates for general repairs and labor. Plus, we have a service call charge ($102 if in our normal service area) for having a dispatcher send a qualified technician in a $50,000 fully equipped service van to your location.
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Key Duplication
Key duplication may seem like a low-value proposition, but the volume adds up and the cost of key blanks is also trending up.
For those common single-cut and double-cut keys, 2024 averages were $4.45 and $7 respectively, up from 2023’s $3.80 and $6.30. High security key duplication prices went down slightly, averaging $21 in 2024, compared to $23 in 2023. Cutting a key from a broken sample costs $18 in 2024, up $3 in the last year.
Other common charges included setting a key to a masterkey system, $31 and high security cylinder, $45.
Automotive
Most automotive categories showed increases over the previous year. The average cost to fit a standard key jumped from $75 to $88. The differences in pricing were noteworthy, with one respondent only charging $10 (we assume this is for a duplicate key or when the customer brings the car to the locksmith) and others charging up to $200.
The average cost to fit a transponder key dropped slightly, from $140 to $127. Here prices ranged from a low of $30 up to $300, with most locksmiths charging between $150 and $200.
Rekeying an ignition lock jumped from $100 in 2023 to $210 this year.
Electronics
Many of the locksmiths doing electronic access control noted that their charges are based on hourly rates and trip fees, rather than set charges. Because everyone calculates their prices a little differently, we saw large ranges in pricing, with locksmiths in the bigger markets typically charging the most.
Installation of an electric strike, for example, averaged $184 but ranged from $35 up to $450, with the most answers in the $175-$225 range. Electromagnetic lock installations averaged $297, with a high of $1,200 and a low of $45.
Wired electronic lock installations averaged $313, while wireless electronic lock installations averaged $224.
The highest-priced services included electrifying a lock or exit device, $288. Two companies listed $800 as their rates for this service. Upgrading to touchless actuator averaged $285; and integrated video/access control solutions averaged $579.
Most locksmiths don't accurately quote these prices without assessing the site. Price ranges and any other input are helpful. We know this is not one-size-fits all.
Lock/Door Hardware Installations
Both of the big-ticket items in this category showed significant price increases over the last year. Installation of an automatic door opener averaged $716, compared to $410 in our 2023 price survey. Several locksmiths were charging as much as $1,200 for this labor-intensive job. Continuous hinge installation rose from $270 a year ago to $326 this year.
Door closer installation was up slightly to $137. The only category that showed a decrease was installation of a vertical-rod exit device, which dropped from $372 a year ago to $312 this year.
Safe Servicing
The average price to open a safe by drilling was $414, with some locksmiths charging $1,000 or more and one respondent charging as little as $39. Last year’s average was $380. The average price to open a safe by manipulation was $318, and the average combination change price was $130. Converting a mechanical safe lock to electronic averaged $214.
Most locksmiths stated that their safe-moving charges varied and were based on both weight of the safe and distance of the move. Safe moving and installation charges ranged from $250 to $500.
Future Thoughts
We at Locksmith Ledger want this information to be as helpful as possible to our readers, and we appreciate everyone’s suggestions, even the critical ones. Please let us know if there are additional categories you’d like to see.
Pricing on such a limited data set is difficult to impossible. For general installations, is this a new on a blank door or a replacement? Does the price include hardware? What quality/price-range is the hardware? Is the electric strike in aluminum, hollow metal, concrete filled or wood? Rim strike or conventional strike? Is the vertical rod exit device surface or concealed? New or replacement? Is the access control system one door or many doors? Wired or wireless? Strikes, magnets, electric latch retraction, electrified locks, etc? Concealed, surface or floor closer? Fresh or replacement? Bolt-through with additional bracing or simple surface-mount? Electromagnets on aluminum, steel, wood door/frames or containment cages? indoor or outdoor? With all associated ancillary components or just the magnet?
Maybe separate the categories to determine if it is a new install or a replacement. Boring a door takes longer for a new install than replacing an existing lock or hardware. New install vs. replacement.
Emily Pike | Managing Editor
Emily Pike is managing editor of Locksmith Ledger International.
