Share and intensity of work current AI systems can materially affect.
Locksmiths and Safe Repairers AI displacement risk
Smart locks and electronic access systems are changing what locksmiths install, not whether they are needed. Emergency lockouts, safe work, and access-system installation happen at the door, with tools, in person.
Likely potential for exposed tasks to move to software after workflow integration.
The connected-security shift is an augmentation story: locksmiths who learn electronic access control expand their market, while those who stay mechanical-only see it narrow. The physical call — the lockout, the failed safe — persists either way.
Distribution
Where Locksmiths and Safe Repairers sits across 620 tracked roles
Displacement pressure 16 — higher than 14% of the 620 occupations tracked on displacement.ai.
Score version
This page uses Seed model v0.4 (seed-v0.4-2026-05), last reviewed 2026-08-15. Directional occupation-level planning model using hand-reviewed public research, task exposure estimates, wage context, and transition-pathway assumptions.
14 O*NET task statements matched to SOC 49-9094. The displayed task profile combines these official task statements with the current public score model.
Median wage context: $51,320 (May 2025, US national). The latest BLS row matched SOC 49-9094.
Scores are planning signals, not forecasts. Local hiring demand, employer-specific workflows, licensing, and credentials must be validated before making career decisions.
2030 economic stress test
How Anthropic's scenarios classify Locksmiths and Safe Repairers
SOC 49-9094 places this role in the paper's all-other occupation group. These group-level outcomes do not change the 16/100 role score and are not an occupation forecast.
+1.1% group wage
Employment rises and unemployment falls for the all-other group, but the paper does not publish a separate group rate.
Economy-wide: +1.6% GDP and 3.9% unemployment.
+5.9% group wage
Employment rises and unemployment falls for the all-other group, but the paper does not publish a separate group rate.
Economy-wide: +8.3% GDP and 4.6% unemployment.
+33.6% group wage
Employment rises and unemployment falls for the all-other group, but the paper does not publish a separate group rate.
Economy-wide: +32.4% GDP and 11.9% unemployment.
Compare the assumptions and limitations across all three scenarios. Source: The Anthropic Institute Working Paper No. 2026-02.
O*NET task matches for Locksmiths and Safe Repairers
The current evidence import matched 14 task statements from Task Statements 31.0 (August 2026). These rows are used as a grounding layer for judging which parts of the occupation are repeatable, language-heavy, analytical, social, physical, or compliance-sensitive.
- Core task / ID 18789
Cut new or duplicate keys, using impressions or code key machines.
- Core task / ID 7126
Insert new or repaired tumblers into locks to change combinations.
- Core task / ID 7127
Move picklocks in cylinders to open door locks without keys.
- Core task / ID 7124
Cut new or duplicate keys, using key cutting machines.
- Core task / ID 7131
Open safe locks by drilling.
- Core task / ID 18790
Set up and maintain master key systems.
Source: O*NET Resource Center, Task Statements. Raw import target: data/raw/onet/task-statements-31-0.txt.
Task profile
Where AI changes the work
Open locks and cut keys
Exposure 22, automation 9%, augmentation 30%.
O*NET evidence: Move picklocks in cylinders to open door locks without keys. (ID 7127)
Install locks and door hardware
Exposure 18, automation 7%, augmentation 30%.
O*NET evidence: Install door hardware, such as locks and closers. (ID 18791)
Install electronic access systems
Exposure 32, automation 14%, augmentation 54%.
O*NET evidence: Install alarm and electronic access systems. (ID 18792)
Maintain records of locks and keys
Exposure 48, automation 26%, augmentation 54%.
O*NET evidence: Keep records of company locks and keys. (ID 7125)
Transition pathways
Adjacent moves that preserve existing skills
Electronic Access Control Technician
Training horizon: 3-6 months. Skill overlap 68. Wage preservation signal 124.
- Learn networked access systems
- Practice card-reader installation
- Study low-voltage standards
Safe and Vault Specialist
Training horizon: 6-12 months. Skill overlap 62. Wage preservation signal 116.
- Train on safe manipulation
- Learn vault hardware
- Build commercial accounts
Comparison guides
Compare the next move before you commit
Locksmiths and Safe Repairers to Electronic Access Control Technician
Compare AI displacement pressure, wage preservation, skill overlap, training time, and first proof project for moving from Locksmiths and Safe Repairers into Electronic Access Control Technician.
Locksmiths and Safe Repairers to Safe and Vault Specialist
Compare AI displacement pressure, wage preservation, skill overlap, training time, and first proof project for moving from Locksmiths and Safe Repairers into Safe and Vault Specialist.
What the AI risk score means for Locksmiths and Safe Repairers
The displacement pressure score for Locksmiths and Safe Repairers is 16. That score blends task exposure, automation pressure, augmentation potential, wage vulnerability, transition feasibility, and source confidence. It is designed to help workers and workforce teams decide where to act first, not to claim a specific date when a job will disappear.
For this role, the clearest risk pattern is visible at the task level. Maintain records of locks and keys carries 26% automation pressure, while Install electronic access systems carries 54% augmentation potential. That means the best response is usually a targeted redesign of work: move away from repeatable production tasks and toward judgment, exception handling, coordination, stakeholder context, and accountable use of AI tools.
Labor-market context and wage risk
Median wage: $51,320 (May 2025, US national). Employment context: Security hardware trade evolving toward electronic access. Typical education: On-the-job training or apprenticeship; licensing in some states.
Wage vulnerability is 52, while transition feasibility is 64. A high wage-vulnerability score means workers should pay close attention to salary preservation before making a move. A high transition-feasibility score means there are adjacent paths that can reuse existing skills without requiring a complete career reset.
- Low displacement pressure
- Smart locks expand the service menu
- Emergency calls stay human
Upskilling priorities
Skills that make this role more resilient
The safest upskilling plan starts with skills already close to the work. For Locksmiths and Safe Repairers, the strongest near-term skill priorities are listed below. These are useful whether the goal is to stay in the role, move to a redesigned version of the role, or transition into an adjacent occupation.
Lock and hardware repair
Build proof of this skill through a work sample, checklist, dashboard, case note, workflow map, or portfolio artifact tied to the transition paths on this page.
Access control systems
Build proof of this skill through a work sample, checklist, dashboard, case note, workflow map, or portfolio artifact tied to the transition paths on this page.
Precision handwork
Build proof of this skill through a work sample, checklist, dashboard, case note, workflow map, or portfolio artifact tied to the transition paths on this page.
Customer service
Build proof of this skill through a work sample, checklist, dashboard, case note, workflow map, or portfolio artifact tied to the transition paths on this page.
90-day transition plan
The most practical next step is not to wait for a layoff or a full role redesign. Use the next 90 days to create evidence that you can operate in a safer, more AI-augmented version of the work.
- In the first 30 days, document the repetitive tasks in your current work and identify where AI can reduce drafting, lookup, classification, or reporting time.
- By 60 days, complete one small project connected to Electronic Access Control Technician, such as learn networked access systems.
- By 90 days, compare internal openings and external postings for Electronic Access Control Technician or Safe and Vault Specialist and update your resume around measurable workflow outcomes.
FAQ
Questions about AI and Locksmiths and Safe Repairers
Will AI replace Locksmiths and Safe Repairers?
Smart locks and electronic access systems are changing what locksmiths install, not whether they are needed. Emergency lockouts, safe work, and access-system installation happen at the door, with tools, in person. The better planning signal is not full replacement, but which tasks become automated, which tasks become AI-assisted, and which responsibilities still need human judgment.
Which parts of Locksmiths and Safe Repairers work are most exposed to AI?
Maintain records of locks and keys and Install electronic access systems show the strongest automation pressure in this model. Install electronic access systems and Maintain records of locks and keys are better treated as AI-augmented work.
What should Locksmiths and Safe Repairers learn next?
Start with Lock and hardware repair, Access control systems, Precision handwork. The most practical adjacent paths in this model are Electronic Access Control Technician and Safe and Vault Specialist.
How should this score be used?
Use it as a planning signal, not a prediction. Confirm local hiring demand, wages, licensing, credentials, and employer adoption before making a career move.
Sources