How Much Should a Locksmith Cost Per Hour?

By Michael Anderson, 27 years of experience · November 9, 2026 · 6 min read

Our car lockout service starts at $55, and our service call starts at $29; we do not list an hourly rate. Call (805) 977-6159 and tell us where your car is and what happened.

Our Starting Prices in San Luis Obispo

Need help now? (805) 977-6159

How Much Should a Locksmith Cost Per Hour for a Car Lockout?

An hourly rate is not the only way to understand a locksmith bill. Our listed prices are tied to specific services, so the useful comparison is the job you need, its starting price, and what the quoted amount covers.

Our service call is $29. Lockouts have a starting price. That keeps you from assuming the listed figures are combined or that one replaces the other.

A locksmith may need to identify the actual problem before confirming which service applies. A door that will not unlock is different from a lost key, and a key that will not operate the car may call for a different service than a lockout. Tell the locksmith what you see rather than guessing at the repair.

Compare Locksmith Jobs by the Work Your Car Needs

These listed starting prices show why an hourly figure alone may not answer your question. Match the service to the problem, then confirm the total for that job before work begins.

Choose the Locksmith Service That Fits the Problem

Describe the symptom and what you have on hand. These details help distinguish a lockout from a key or fob issue before a locksmith comes to you.

• The key is inside the locked car — Ask for a car lockout service. Share your exact location and say whether anyone is waiting inside the vehicle.
• Every car key is missing — Ask about lost car keys rather than describing the problem as a lockout. Tell us that no working key is available.
• You have a key, but the fob is not working — Explain what the fob does and whether you can still use a key. That helps identify whether you need programming, replacement, or another service.
• The key turns poorly or will not operate the lock — Describe what happens without forcing the key. A sticking lock or damaged key may need repair rather than a lockout service.

Need help now? (805) 977-6159

Three Car-Key Situations and Their Starting Prices

For keys locked inside the car, the relevant service is a car lockout, which starts at $55. Tell us whether the vehicle is safely parked and where it is; do not try to force entry or damage the lock.

For a car with no available keys, our lost-car-keys service starts at $110. We make a new car key on site when all keys are lost. Give us the vehicle’s year, make, and model so we can understand the key situation before the visit.

For a key fob that needs programming, the starting price is $70. If you are unsure whether the issue is programming or a replacement key, describe the symptoms and say what keys or fobs you still have. These are starting prices for different services, not an hourly rate.

What to Do Before a Locksmith Arrives at Your Car

A few details make it easier to identify the right service and avoid delays caused by a misunderstanding. Keep the vehicle secure and share only what is useful for the job.

1. Move to a safe place — Stand away from moving traffic and do not leave a child or vulnerable person unattended in a vehicle. If someone is in immediate danger, contact emergency services.
2. Check whether another key is available — Ask someone who has access to your spare key whether they can bring it. If no working key exists, say that when you call so the job is not mistaken for a lockout.
3. Note the vehicle details — Have the year, make, model, and vehicle location ready if you know them. These details help describe the job; do not assume that a particular key or fob service is interchangeable with a lockout.
4. Explain the exact symptom — Say whether the key is locked inside, missing, damaged, or present but not working. Mention whether the doors are locked and whether the car is in a safe place.
5. Confirm the service and price — Ask which service the situation calls for and what the quoted amount covers. Our prices list starting rates for specific jobs.
6. Arrange access to the vehicle — Stay somewhere safe where you can meet the mobile locksmith at the vehicle. Keep any identification or vehicle paperwork you can readily access, but do not put yourself at risk to retrieve it.
7. Check the result — After the work, check that the door unlocks and locks as expected. If the service involved a working key, check that it operates the vehicle before the locksmith leaves.

When a Car Lockout Calls for a Locksmith

Call a locksmith when you cannot access your own vehicle, have lost every key, or have a key or fob that no longer works. Avoid forcing a door, damaging a window, or attempting to defeat a lock; those actions can create a larger repair and may put you in danger.

For a locked-out vehicle, request our car lockout service and describe the exact location and situation. If the issue is a missing key rather than locked-in keys, say so clearly: the service and starting price differ.

If you are unsure which problem you have, explain what happened in order: when the key last worked, whether it is available now, and what the vehicle does when you try it. That information is more useful than naming a repair you have not confirmed.

Need help now? (805) 977-6159

How to Check a Locksmith Quote Before Work Starts

Ask for the service name and the amount that applies to your situation before authorizing work. A starting price is not a promise that every different service has the same cost, so make sure the locksmith has understood whether you need access, a replacement key, or fob programming.

For a lock change, our listed price starts at $85 plus hardware. This is a clear example of why it matters to ask what is included: the stated starting price does not include the hardware cost.

Keep the quote focused on the job you described. If the diagnosis changes after the locksmith sees the vehicle, pause and ask what changed and what the revised work will cost before proceeding. You can also compare our answer with how much do locksmiths charge in California? for broader pricing context.

What to Expect From Mobile Locksmith Service in San Luis Obispo

We come to you, so give us the vehicle’s exact location rather than planning a trip to an office. Inside San Luis Obispo, the typical arrival time is within 15 minutes; towns farther out get the next free locksmith.

We serve San Luis Obispo and Central Coast towns within 30 miles, including Santa Maria, Paso Robles, Arroyo Grande, Atascadero, Morro Bay, Grover Beach, and Templeton. Arrival timing outside San Luis Obispo is not the same as the in-city typical arrival time.

The owner, Michael Anderson, has 27 years of locksmith experience. For help with a locked vehicle, use our contact page or call with your location and the details of the lockout.

Frequently asked questions