What locksmiths should charge in Colorado.
Fair billed labor here runs about $42–$67/hour, about 8% below the median US state. Every number below comes from what locksmiths and safe repairers actually earn in Colorado; the math is on this page, in the open.
How much should locksmiths charge in Colorado?
In Colorado, locksmiths and safe repairers earn $20.75–$26.64 per hour (median $22.84, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025), about 8% below the median US state for this trade. A legitimate business bills 2–2.5× wages to cover payroll taxes, insurance, equipment, overhead and profit, so fair billed labor in Colorado runs about $42–$67 per hour. For example, rekey a house (up to 5 locks) is about $40–$135 in fair labor, before materials.
Fair price by job
Rekey a house (up to 5 locks)
That assumes standard pin-tumbler locks, one keyway; smart locks and high-security cylinders differ.
Typical labor: 1–2 hours at $42–$67/hr billed.
Home lockout
That assumes a daytime, non-emergency arrival; after-hours surcharges should be stated before dispatch, not after.
Typical labor: 0.5–1 hours at $42–$67/hr billed.
Before you hire in Colorado
Colorado has no statewide general contractor license — GCs are licensed by city or county. Electricians and plumbers ARE state-licensed through DORA. Check both your municipality and DORA.
How to verify a Colorado license · how to get comparable bids · track your quotes side by side (free, no account).
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Other fair price checks in Colorado
Compare locksmiths rates across all states · all fair price checks