Locksmithing Investment Calculator
Locksmithing Investment Calculator
Calculate your potential earnings and startup costs for becoming a locksmith in New Zealand.
Your Locksmithing Investment Analysis
Total Startup Cost
Time to First Job
Monthly Income Potential
Time to Break Even
Locksmithing vs Other Trades
| Trade | Training Time | Startup Cost | Time to First Job | Monthly Income Potential |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Locksmith | 6-12 weeks | $500-$1,000 | 2 months | $2,000-$3,500 |
| Electrician | 3-4 years | $2,000+ | 1-2 years | $3,500-$5,000 |
| Plumber | 3-4 years | $1,500+ | 1-2 years | $3,000-$4,500 |
| Carpenter | 2-3 years | $1,000-$2,000 | 1 year | $2,500-$3,500 |
| Tile Layer | 6-12 months | $800-$1,500 | 3-6 months | $2,000-$3,000 |
If you’re looking for a trade that doesn’t require years of school, heavy math, or a massive debt load, you’re not alone. In New Zealand, more people are turning to trades not just for job security, but because they want to start earning sooner-without sitting through four years of university. The question isn’t just what’s the easiest trade to learn, but which one actually gets you working, paid, and confident in the shortest time.
Locksmithing: Small Tools, Big Demand
Locksmithing might surprise you. It’s not about brute strength or heavy machinery. It’s about precision, patience, and problem-solving. You don’t need a degree. Most certification programs in New Zealand take 6 to 12 weeks full-time, and many offer part-time options through polytechnics like AUT or Otago Polytechnic.
What you learn: how to cut keys, rekey locks, install deadbolts, open locked doors without damage, and understand mechanical and electronic lock systems. You’ll work with simple hand tools-pin tumblers, pick sets, torque wrenches-not power saws or welding gear.
Why it’s easy: The learning curve is shallow. Most people can master basic lock repairs after 20 hours of hands-on practice. There’s no need to memorize complex building codes like electricians or plumbers do. You’re not dealing with gas lines or high-voltage wiring. Just keys, cylinders, and security mechanisms.
And the demand? High. Every week, homeowners, landlords, and businesses call locksmiths. Schools, offices, and apartments need lock changes after tenants move out. Even car key replacements are common. In Auckland alone, over 1,200 locksmith service requests are logged monthly. Entry-level locksmiths earn $25-$35/hour, and with experience, you can charge $60+ per job.
Why Locksmithing Beats Other Trades for Beginners
Let’s compare it to other popular entry-level trades.
| Trade | Avg. Training Time | Tools Needed | Upfront Cost | Job Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Locksmith | 6-12 weeks | Hand tools, pick set, key cutter | $500-$1,000 | High (daily demand) |
| Electrician | 3-4 years (apprenticeship) | Multi-meter, wire strippers, conduit bender | $2,000+ | High, but hard to enter |
| Plumber | 3-4 years | Pipe cutters, wrenches, soldering gear | $1,500+ | High, but requires physical stamina |
| Carpenter | 2-3 years | Saw, drill, level, hammer | $1,000-$2,000 | Medium (seasonal) |
| Tile Layer | 6-12 months | Trowel, notcher, wet saw | $800-$1,500 | Medium (depends on construction boom) |
Locksmithing stands out because you can start earning within two months. No need to wait for an apprenticeship spot. No requirement to pass the Electrical Workers Registration Board or Plumbing Code exams. You get certified through a short course, then work freelance or join a small firm.
Real-Life Example: From Zero to Paid in 8 Weeks
Take Maria, a 24-year-old from Hamilton. She worked retail for three years but hated the hours. She didn’t want to go into nursing or office work. She found a government-funded trade course at Waikato Institute of Technology that covered locksmith basics. It cost her $0-fully subsidized under the New Zealand Skills Formation Fund.
After 8 weeks, she passed her Level 2 Certificate in Security Systems. She bought a starter tool kit for $700. Within two weeks of finishing, she started doing weekend jobs: changing locks for a real estate agent, replacing lost car keys for a taxi driver, fixing broken padlocks at a gym.
By month three, she was making $1,800 a month on side gigs. Now, she runs her own small business, Lockwise Hamilton, with a website and Google Business listing. She doesn’t need a van yet-she uses her car. She doesn’t need employees. She does 15-20 jobs a week.
What You Don’t Need to Worry About
Many people assume trades mean:
- Working in the rain, all day, every day
- Getting hurt on site
- Being stuck in a union system
- Needing to be physically huge
Locksmithing doesn’t require any of that.
You don’t need to climb roofs. You don’t need to lift 50kg pipes. You don’t need to work on weekends unless you want to. Most jobs are residential, in quiet neighborhoods. You can work alone. You can set your own hours. You can even do mobile locksmithing from home.
And you don’t need to be a genius. You don’t need to understand calculus or physics. You just need to be detail-oriented. If you can follow instructions, turn a screw correctly, and remember where you put your tools-you’ve got what it takes.
How to Get Started Right Now
Here’s how to begin in under 30 days:
- Check if you qualify for government funding. If you’re under 25, unemployed, or on a benefit, you can get full or partial funding for locksmith training through Tertiary Education Commission (TEC).
- Find a short course. Look for Level 2 Certificate in Locksmithing at polytechnics or private providers like NZ Locksmith Academy or Trade Training Centre in Auckland.
- Apply. Most courses start monthly. No IELTS, no prior experience needed.
- Complete the course. You’ll get a certificate and a basic tool kit.
- Get a DBS check (police vetting). Required for working in homes and schools.
- Start advertising. Create a simple Facebook page or Google Business profile. Offer a $20 lock check for first-time customers.
Some people start earning within 10 days of finishing their course. You don’t need to wait for a job application to be approved. You can just show up, do the work, and get paid.
What Comes Next?
Locksmithing isn’t a dead-end job. It’s a gateway. Once you’ve mastered mechanical locks, you can move into electronic access control-keycards, biometric systems, smart locks. Many locksmiths add these services and double their income.
You can also specialize: automotive locksmithing, safe cracking, high-security locks for banks, or even work with security firms installing alarm systems. Some locksmiths become trainers themselves, teaching the next generation.
The point isn’t to stay a locksmith forever. It’s to get a real skill, earn money fast, and build a foundation. From there, you can go anywhere.
Is Locksmithing Right for You?
Ask yourself:
- Do you like fixing things with your hands?
- Do you prefer working alone or with one other person?
- Do you want to avoid long study periods?
- Do you want to be your own boss eventually?
If you answered yes to at least three of these, locksmithing is one of the easiest trades to learn-and one of the most practical.
It’s not flashy. It won’t make you famous. But it will put food on the table, give you control over your time, and let you build something real-without debt, without waiting, without a degree.
Is locksmithing really the easiest trade to learn?
Compared to electrician, plumber, or carpenter apprenticeships-which take 3-4 years-locksmithing takes 6-12 weeks to get certified. It requires no heavy lifting, no high-voltage work, and no complex building codes. You learn by doing, not memorizing. For most people, it’s the fastest path to a paid trade job.
Do I need a license to be a locksmith in New Zealand?
No formal license is required by law, but you must pass a police vetting (DBS check) to work in homes or schools. Most employers and clients require this. A Level 2 Certificate from a TEC-approved course gives you credibility and access to training grants.
How much does it cost to start as a locksmith?
If you qualify for government funding, the course can cost $0. Your tool kit (pick set, key cutter, torque wrenches) will cost $500-$1,000. Many courses include tools. You don’t need a van-start with your car. Total startup cost: under $1,200.
Can I do this part-time while working another job?
Absolutely. Many people take evening or weekend courses. After certification, you can do jobs on weekends or after work. Most locksmiths start part-time and scale up as demand grows. You control your schedule.
Are there job opportunities in Auckland?
Yes. Auckland has over 500,000 households and thousands of businesses. Lock changes happen weekly-after break-ins, tenant moves, or lost keys. Real estate agents, property managers, and schools all need locksmiths. Demand is steady year-round.
Next Steps
Don’t wait for the perfect moment. The perfect moment is now. Go to the Tertiary Education Commission website. Search for "Locksmith Level 2". Find a course starting next month. Apply. Get funded. Show up. Learn. Do your first job. Get paid.
You don’t need to be an expert to start. You just need to start.