53 Series · SOC 53-6011

Bridge and Lock Tenders Salary

National pay, percentile range, growth outlook, and state-by-state detail from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey (May 2025).

$57,700
Median / year
$75,360
Top 10% earn
-3.3%
Growth '23–'33
3,040
US workers

Bridge and Lock Tenders earn a median of $57,700 per year.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey, the median annual wage is $57,700, based on the most recent survey of employers. Reported pay ranges from $28,090 (10th percentile) to $75,360 (90th percentile) nationally, across roughly 3,040 US workers. Washington pays the most ($78,020), since pay varies by state and metro area.

53 Series · Source: BLS OEWS Compare with another job →
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The pay verdict

Bridge and Lock Tenders earn a median of $57,700, putting them below the typical US occupation and higher than 44% of the 825 occupations with a published BLS median. Within Transportation and Material Moving, it ranks #23 of 50 by median pay. Employment is projected to fall 3.3% by 2033.

$57,700
Median annual wage
Top 56%
of 825 US occupations with published wages
#23 of 50
in Transportation and Material Moving
2.7×
90th-to-10th pay spread

Highest-paying state: Washington at $78,020. Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.

Bridge and Lock Tenders (SOC 53-6011) pays a national median of $57,700 per year according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey released in May 2025. Full-range compensation stretches from $28,090 at the 10th percentile to $75,360 at the 90th, with a mean of $55,370 indicating a compressed distribution clustered near the median. An estimated 3,040 Americans work in this occupation across 23 reporting states and 16 metro areas.

BLS Employment Projections forecast a -3.3% change in employment from 2024 to 2034, which the agency classifies as declining relative to the 5% all-occupations baseline. About 300 openings are projected per year, combining new positions with replacement needs from retirements and occupation-switchers. Typical entry-level preparation is High school diploma or equivalent and short-term on-the-job training of on-the-job training. The BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) and Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) produce a workplace-safety grade of C for this role, with a fatality rate of 17.5 per 100,000 and injury rate of 4.8 per 100.

Geographic variation matters as much as the headline median. Washington pays the highest state median at $78,020, which is +35% above the national figure. The top metro is Lafayette, LA at $75,340 - metro premiums typically reflect higher cost of living, industry concentration, or specialized employer demand. When using this page for negotiation or career planning, pair the national median with the state and metro rows below, remember that BLS wages exclude benefits, bonuses, and overtime, and revisit after each May OEWS release since percentiles shift with cost-of-living cycles and industry demand. See our methodology for exactly how these figures are sourced, computed, and verified.

BLS OEWS May 2025 3,040 jobs Median $57,700/yr

Median Salary

$57,700

per year

Median Hourly

$27.74/hr

per hour

Mean Salary

$55,370

average

Employment

3,040

jobs nationwide

How does this pay compare nationally?

Where Bridge and Lock Tenders pay sits nationally

Median annual wage vs. 825 detailed BLS occupations with a published median

$57,700 Bottom 44% higher than 44% of 825 US occupations

$0–$20,000: 0 US occupations (0%). Below this entry. $20,000–$40,000: 98 US occupations (12%). Below this entry. $40,000–$60,000: 298 US occupations (36%). This entry sits in this band. $60,000–$80,000: 209 US occupations (25%). Above this entry. $80,000–$100,000: 82 US occupations (10%). Above this entry. $100,000–$120,000: 58 US occupations (7%). Above this entry. $120,000–$140,000: 32 US occupations (4%). Above this entry. $140,000–$160,000: 14 US occupations (2%). Above this entry. $160,000–$180,000: 9 US occupations (1%). Above this entry. $180,000–$200,000: 25 US occupations (3%). Above this entry. This job $0 $200,000 every BLS occupation, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US occupations. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · May 2025

Does this job pay well and grow?

Each dot is a 53-series occupation, placed by projected 2024–2034 growth and median pay. The highlighted dot is Bridge and Lock Tenders; the upper-right quadrant is the sweet spot (high pay + fast growth).

Among 25 53-series occupations with growth data, Bridge and Lock Tenders sits on the slower-growing side at -3.3% growth and $57,700 median pay.

Among 25 53-series occupations with growth data, Bridge and Lock Tenders sits on the slower-growing side at -3.3% growth and $57,700 median pay. Scatter plot of 25 data points. $0$50000$100000$150000$200000$250000 -20%-10%0%10%20% Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) Median annual wage
Among 25 53-series occupations with growth data, Bridge and Lock Tenders sits on the slower-growing side at -3.3% growth and $57,700 median pay.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (wages, May 2025) and Employment Projections (2024–2034).

Job Outlook (2024–2034)

Projected Growth

-3.3%

Declining

Annual Openings

300

per year (projected)

Typical Education

High school diploma or equivalent

On-the-Job Training

Short-term on-the-job training

Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034

Workplace Safety

All safety ratings →
C

Moderate Risk

Safety Grade (BLS 2023)

Fatality Rate

17.5/100K

Injury Rate

4.8/100

Danger Index

28/100

Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) & Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), 2023

Career Intelligence

Skills, knowledge, and tasks most important for Bridge and Lock Tenders roles, ranked by importance. Source: O*NET.

Top Skills

Monitoring 3.3
Active Listening 3.0
Speaking 3.0
Critical Thinking 3.0
Coordination 3.0
Operations Monitoring 3.0
Operation and Control 3.0
Judgment and Decision Making 3.0
Reading Comprehension 2.9
Writing 2.9

Knowledge Areas

Public Safety and Security 3.4
English Language 3.3
Telecommunications 3.0
Education and Training 2.9
Transportation 2.8
Customer and Personal Service 2.7
Administrative 2.6
Administration and Management 2.5
Mechanical 2.5
Computers and Electronics 2.5

Key Tasks

  • ▸ Turn valves to increase or decrease water levels in locks.
  • ▸ Check that bridges are clear of vehicles and pedestrians prior to opening.
  • ▸ Control machinery to open and close canal locks and dams, railroad or highway drawbridges, or horizontally or vertically adjustable bridges.
  • ▸ Direct movements of vessels in locks or bridge areas, using signals, telecommunication equipment, or loudspeakers.
  • ▸ Observe position and progress of vessels to ensure best use of lock spaces or bridge opening spaces.
  • ▸ Stop automobile and pedestrian traffic on bridges, and lower automobile gates prior to moving bridges.
  • ▸ Raise drawbridges and observe passage of water traffic or lower drawbridges and raise automobile gates.
  • ▸ Maintain and guard stations in bridges to check waterways for boat traffic.
  • ▸ Record names, types, and destinations of vessels passing through bridge openings or locks, and numbers of trains or vehicles crossing bridges.
  • ▸ Observe approaching vessels to determine size and speed, and listen for whistle signals indicating desire to pass.

Source: O*NET Online, National Center for O*NET Development. Data represents typical importance ratings for this occupation.

Salary Range

Annual Salary Distribution

$28,090$38,640$57,700$69,620$75,360
10th pct25thMedian75th90th pct

Hourly Rate Distribution

$13.51$18.58$27.74$33.47$36.23
10th pct25thMedian75th90th pct

10th Percentile

$28,090

25th Percentile

$38,640

Median

$57,700

75th Percentile

$69,620

90th Percentile

$75,360

Salary by State

Highest Paying States

1. Washington $78,020 2. Mississippi $74,730 3. Minnesota $74,420 4. Missouri $74,110 5. California $72,390

Lowest Paying States

19. Florida $28,090 20. Louisiana $39,090 21. North Carolina $41,380 22. Texas $45,820 23. Virginia $47,120
View all 23 states →
# State Median Salary vs National
1 Washington $78,020 +35% above national
2 Mississippi $74,730 +30% above national
3 Minnesota $74,420 +29% above national
4 Missouri $74,110 +28% above national
5 California $72,390 +25% above national
6 Illinois $70,890 +23% above national
7 Iowa $70,890 +23% above national
8 Pennsylvania $68,810 +19% above national
9 Alabama $66,830 +16% above national
10 West Virginia $65,460 +13% above national
11 Indiana $60,780 +5% above national
12 Tennessee $60,420 +5% above national
13 Ohio $58,410 +1% above national
14 Kentucky $58,220 +1% above national
15 Wisconsin $57,350 1% below national
16 Massachusetts $55,830 3% below national
17 New York $51,560 11% below national
18 Michigan $50,540 12% below national
19 Virginia $47,120 18% below national
20 Texas $45,820 21% below national
21 North Carolina $41,380 28% below national
22 Louisiana $39,090 32% below national
23 Florida $28,090 51% below national

Salary by Metro Area

Highest Paying Metros

1. Lafayette, LA $75,340 2. Upper East Mississippi nonmetropolitan area $74,730 3. St. Louis, MO-IL $74,480 4. Upper Peninsula of Michigan nonmetropolitan area $74,180 5. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $73,110

Lowest Paying Metros

12. Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI $35,000 13. Southwest Louisiana nonmetropolitan area $38,640 14. New Orleans-Metairie, LA $39,110 15. Cleveland, OH $44,500 16. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $54,720
View all 16 metro areas →
# Metro Area Median Salary vs National
1 Lafayette, LA $75,340 +31% above national
2 Upper East Mississippi nonmetropolitan area $74,730 +30% above national
3 St. Louis, MO-IL $74,480 +29% above national
4 Upper Peninsula of Michigan nonmetropolitan area $74,180 +29% above national
5 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $73,110 +27% above national
6 North Missouri nonmetropolitan area $72,910 +26% above national
7 Western Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $72,010 +25% above national
8 Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL $70,890 +23% above national
9 West Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area $70,890 +23% above national
10 Baton Rouge, LA $69,970 +21% above national
11 Pittsburgh, PA $68,810 +19% above national
12 New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $54,720 5% below national
13 Cleveland, OH $44,500 23% below national
14 New Orleans-Metairie, LA $39,110 32% below national
15 Southwest Louisiana nonmetropolitan area $38,640 33% below national
16 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI $35,000 39% below national

Similar Occupations in the Same Category

Other roles in SOC major group 53 (transportation and material moving) with comparable pay and career paths.

Air Traffic Controllers

SOC 53-2021

Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors

SOC 53-1041

Aircraft Service Attendants

SOC 53-6032

Airfield Operations Specialists

SOC 53-2022

Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers

SOC 53-2011
Compare Bridge and Lock Tenders side-by-side with another occupation →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Bridge and Lock Tenders make? ▼
The median annual salary for Bridge and Lock Tenders is $57,700 ($27.74/hour). The salary range spans from $28,090 at the 10th percentile to $75,360 at the 90th percentile.
What state pays Bridge and Lock Tenders the most? ▼
Washington pays the highest median salary for Bridge and Lock Tenders at $78,020/year, which is +35% above the national median.
What education do you need to become a Bridge and Lock Tenders? ▼
The typical entry-level education for Bridge and Lock Tenders is High school diploma or equivalent. On-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training.
How dangerous is being a Bridge and Lock Tenders? ▼
Bridge and Lock Tenders has a safety grade of C (Moderate Risk) based on BLS data. The fatality rate is 17.5 per 100,000 workers and the injury rate is 4.8 per 100 workers.
Is Bridge and Lock Tenders a good career? ▼
Employment for Bridge and Lock Tenders is projected to decline 3.3% from 2024 to 2034, which is declining. About 300 openings are projected each year.
How does Bridge and Lock Tenders pay vary by state? ▼
Bridge and Lock Tenders salaries vary significantly by state. The highest-paying state is Washington at $78,020/year, while Virginia pays the least at $47,120/year. BLS data covers 23 states and territories.
Which metro areas pay the most for Bridge and Lock Tenders? ▼
The highest-paying metro area for Bridge and Lock Tenders is Lafayette, LA at $75,340/year. BLS reports wage data for 16 metro areas for this occupation, with pay varying based on local demand and cost of living.

What to do with this data

How to use Bridge and Lock Tenders pay figures in a real decision

  • For an experienced offer, anchor on the 75th percentile (about $69,620/year), not the median. The median marks the middle worker; the upper quartile is the realistic target with strong experience. Salary calculator
  • Location moves pay significantly: Washington leads at $78,020/year for this role. Weigh state pay against local cost of living before relocating or negotiating remote. Pay by state
  • Compare this occupation against similar roles before you decide, so you are reading the pay band in context rather than in isolation. Compare jobs

These are BLS survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. Your pay depends on experience, employer, exact role, and location.

Data as of May 2025. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 annual release. Employment projections from BLS Employment Projections program, 2024–2034. Data reflects cross-industry estimates for all ownership types.

These are survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. See how to use them.

Every figure on WageDex is rendered directly from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, no number is typed in by an editor. This occupation's figures are computed directly from the BLS OEWS and Employment Projections datasets, nothing is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of May 2025.

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or career advice. Actual pay for a specific role, employer, or offer may differ from these national/state figures, consult a qualified career counselor, recruiter, or financial advisor before making decisions based on this data.