Quick answer
- US: locksmith services cost $107-$242, with a national average of $164.1 Lockouts average $166-$192 on Thumbtack.2
- Rekeying runs about $20-$50 per lock, and house or car lockouts $75-$150 in one New Jersey price guide.4
- Canada: the average locksmith job is around $95 CAD, with call fees of $35-$150 and labor of $50-$100 an hour.8 In Calgary, most on-site jobs total $125-$250 plus GST.12
How locksmith prices are built
Most locksmith bills have the same parts: a service call to get you there, labor, per-unit charges (each lock rekeyed, each key cut), any hardware, and an after-hours surcharge for nights and weekends. HomeStars' Canadian figures show the pattern: call fees of $35-$150, labor of $50-$100 an hour, plus after-hours surcharges.8
Typical prices by job
| Job | US (USD) | Canada (CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| Service call | - | $50-$100 call-out9; $50-$80 in Hamilton11; $75 in Calgary12 |
| House lockout | $75-$150 (New Jersey)4; lockout service $166-$192 average2 | From $75 in Calgary12 |
| Car lockout | $75-$150 (New Jersey)4; $65-$150 (Philadelphia)5 | - |
| Rekey, per lock | $20-$504 | $25-$50 in Hamilton11; $20 per cylinder in Calgary12 |
| Most services | $55-$150 (Philadelphia)5; $107-$242 national1 | Around $95 average8; $125-$250 + GST for most Calgary jobs12 |
What locksmiths charge per hour
One 2026 guide puts the average locksmith hourly rate at $85-$175 for standard residential and commercial work during normal hours.3 In Ontario, hiring a locksmith runs about $100-$150 an hour.10 Most residential jobs, though, are quoted as a service call plus per-lock or per-job prices rather than pure hourly time. The trade magazine Locksmith Ledger also runs a national price survey each year - worth a look for current industry averages.7
Rekey or replace? Clients will ask
Rekeying keeps the existing hardware and changes the pins, so it costs far less per lock ($20-$504) than installing new locks. It's the right answer after a move-in or lost keys when the hardware is fine; replacement makes sense for worn, damaged or low-security locks, or an upgrade to smart locks. Explaining the difference honestly is good business.
Transparent pricing beats bait pricing
Locksmithing has a reputation problem: ads promising a tiny service call, followed by a huge bill on site. Consumer protection agencies warn about exactly this. Quoting your service call, labor and per-lock prices up front - before you arrive - is one of the easiest ways to stand out and earn reviews.
Start-up costs and licensing
Starting a locksmith business typically costs $3,000-$20,000+, depending on the services you offer.6 Some US states and Canadian provinces license locksmiths - check your local rules before you start quoting, and factor licensing, insurance and bonding into your rates.
Locksmith prices in Canada
- Average job: around $95 CAD; call fees $35-$150, labor $50-$100 an hour.8
- Call-out fees: commonly $50-$100.9
- Ontario: about $100-$150 an hour.10
- Hamilton: $50-$80 service call plus $25-$50 per lock rekeyed.11
- Calgary: lockouts from $75, rekeying $20 per cylinder, $75 service calls; most jobs $125-$250 plus GST.12
Quote in CAD before tax, and register for GST/HST once your taxable revenue passes $30,000 over four consecutive calendar quarters.
Common questions
How much should a locksmith charge?
In the US, most locksmith jobs cost $107-$242, averaging $164. In Canada, the average job is around $95 CAD, with most Calgary jobs at $125-$250 plus GST.
What does the average locksmith charge per hour?
About $85-$175 an hour in the US during normal hours, and $50-$150 CAD in Canada, though most jobs are priced as a service call plus per-lock charges.
How much should I charge to rekey a lock?
About $20-$50 per lock in the US, and $20-$50 CAD in Canada, usually on top of a service call.
Is it cheaper to replace locks or rekey them?
Rekeying is cheaper - it keeps the hardware and changes the pins. Replacement makes sense for worn or low-security locks, or upgrades.
How much does a locksmith cost in Canada?
Around $95 CAD on average, with call fees of $35-$150, labor of $50-$100 an hour, and rekeying around $20-$50 per lock.
Book planned jobs online, keep lockouts on the phone
On 1MinuteBooking, clients book rekeys, lock and smart lock installs or key programming with per-lock pricing, and a call button puts lockouts straight through to you. Free plan, no time limit.
See the locksmith booking pageSources
- Angi, How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Locksmith? [2026 Data]
- Thumbtack, 2026 Locksmith Prices | Get Estimates
- Gandi Locksmithing, Ultimate Guide: Locksmith Hourly Rates in 2026 Revealed
- Paul Quick Locksmith (New Jersey), How Much Does a Locksmith Cost in NJ? (2026 Price Guide) (one company's price guide)
- Philadelphia Locksmith, How Much Does a Locksmith Cost in Philadelphia? [2026 (one company's price guide)
- Best Key Supply, How Much Does It Cost to Start a Locksmith Business?
- Locksmith Ledger, Take our 2026 National Average Locksmith Price Survey
- HomeStars (Canada), How Much Does a Locksmith Cost?
- Green Building Canada, How Much Does a Locksmith Cost in Canada?
- Urbantasker (Ontario), How much does a Locksmith cost in Ontario, Canada?
- AS Locksmith (Hamilton), How Much Does a Locksmith Cost in Hamilton, ON? (2025
- Affordable Locksmiths (Calgary), Locksmith Prices Calgary (one company's published prices)
Prices are what these sources published as of September-October 2026. Rates vary by city, season and the job itself - use them as a starting point, not a rule.