53 Series · SOC 53-7031

Dredge Operators Salary

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

$49,640
Median / year
$74,140
Top 10% earn
+1.2%
Growth '23–'33
1,040
US workers

Dredge Operators earn a median of $49,640 per year.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey, the median annual wage is $49,640, based on the most recent survey of employers. Reported pay ranges from $41,080 (10th percentile) to $74,140 (90th percentile) nationally, across roughly 1,040 US workers. Texas pays the most ($65,580), since pay varies by state and metro area.

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

Dredge Operators earn a median of $49,640, putting them below the typical US occupation and higher than 32% of the 825 occupations with a published BLS median. Within Transportation and Material Moving, it ranks #29 of 50 by median pay. Employment is projected to grow 1.2% by 2033.

$49,640
Median annual wage
Top 68%
of 825 US occupations with published wages
#29 of 50
in Transportation and Material Moving
1.8×
90th-to-10th pay spread

Highest-paying state: Texas at $65,580. Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.

Dredge Operators (SOC 53-7031) pays a national median of $49,640 per year according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey released in May 2025. Full-range compensation stretches from $41,080 at the 10th percentile to $74,140 at the 90th, with a mean of $56,120 indicating a right-skew where top earners pull the average above the midpoint. An estimated 1,040 Americans work in this occupation across 9 reporting states and 3 metro areas.

BLS Employment Projections forecast a +1.2% change in employment from 2024 to 2034, which the agency classifies as slower than average relative to the 5% all-occupations baseline. About 100 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 moderate-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. Texas pays the highest state median at $65,580, which is +32% above the national figure. The top metro is Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX at $72,960 - 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 1,040 jobs Median $49,640/yr

Median Salary

$49,640

per year

Median Hourly

$23.86/hr

per hour

Mean Salary

$56,120

average

Employment

1,040

jobs nationwide

How does this pay compare nationally?

Where Dredge Operators pay sits nationally

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

$49,640 Bottom 32% higher than 32% 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 Dredge Operators; the upper-right quadrant is the sweet spot (high pay + fast growth).

Among 25 53-series occupations with growth data, Dredge Operators sits on the slower-growing side at +1.2% growth and $49,640 median pay.

Among 25 53-series occupations with growth data, Dredge Operators sits on the slower-growing side at +1.2% growth and $49,640 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, Dredge Operators sits on the slower-growing side at +1.2% growth and $49,640 median pay.

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

Job Outlook (2024–2034)

Projected Growth

+1.2%

Slower than average

Annual Openings

100

per year (projected)

Typical Education

High school diploma or equivalent

On-the-Job Training

Moderate-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 Dredge Operators roles, ranked by importance. Source: O*NET.

Top Skills

Operation and Control 3.8
Operations Monitoring 3.5
Critical Thinking 3.0
Coordination 3.0
Judgment and Decision Making 3.0
Active Listening 2.9
Speaking 2.9
Monitoring 2.9
Troubleshooting 2.9
Social Perceptiveness 2.8

Knowledge Areas

Mechanical 4.1
English Language 3.4
Public Safety and Security 3.2
Administration and Management 3.1
Production and Processing 2.9
Mathematics 2.8
Education and Training 2.6
Physics 2.5
Engineering and Technology 2.2
Building and Construction 2.2

Key Tasks

  • ▸ Move levers to position dredges for excavation, to engage hydraulic pumps, to raise and lower suction booms, and to control rotation of cutterheads.
  • ▸ Start and stop engines to operate equipment.
  • ▸ Start power winches that draw in or let out cables to change positions of dredges, or pull in and let out cables manually.
  • ▸ Pump water to clear machinery pipelines.
  • ▸ Lower anchor poles to verify depths of excavations, using winches, or scan depth gauges to determine depths of excavations.
  • ▸ Direct or assist workers placing shore anchors and cables, laying additional pipes from dredges to shore, and pumping water from pontoons.

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

Salary Range

Annual Salary Distribution

$41,080$46,430$49,640$62,070$74,140
10th pct25thMedian75th90th pct

Hourly Rate Distribution

$19.75$22.32$23.86$29.84$35.65
10th pct25thMedian75th90th pct

10th Percentile

$41,080

25th Percentile

$46,430

Median

$49,640

75th Percentile

$62,070

90th Percentile

$74,140

Salary by State

Highest Paying States

1. Texas $65,580 2. New Jersey $63,810 3. Iowa $57,990 4. Wisconsin $54,310 5. Ohio $53,310

Lowest Paying States

5. Nebraska $45,290 6. Louisiana $48,590 7. Alabama $50,030 8. Florida $52,800 9. Ohio $53,310
View all 9 states →
# State Median Salary vs National
1 Texas $65,580 +32% above national
2 New Jersey $63,810 +29% above national
3 Iowa $57,990 +17% above national
4 Wisconsin $54,310 +9% above national
5 Ohio $53,310 +7% above national
6 Florida $52,800 +6% above national
7 Alabama $50,030 +1% above national
8 Louisiana $48,590 2% below national
9 Nebraska $45,290 9% below national

Salary by Metro Area

Highest Paying Metros

1. Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $72,960 2. New Orleans-Metairie, LA $49,390 3. Kansas City, MO-KS $48,980

Lowest Paying Metros

-1. Kansas City, MO-KS $48,980 0. New Orleans-Metairie, LA $49,390 1. Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $72,960
View all 3 metro areas →
# Metro Area Median Salary vs National
1 Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $72,960 +47% above national
2 New Orleans-Metairie, LA $49,390 1% below national
3 Kansas City, MO-KS $48,980 1% 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 Dredge Operators side-by-side with another occupation →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Dredge Operators make? ▼
The median annual salary for Dredge Operators is $49,640 ($23.86/hour). The salary range spans from $41,080 at the 10th percentile to $74,140 at the 90th percentile.
What state pays Dredge Operators the most? ▼
Texas pays the highest median salary for Dredge Operators at $65,580/year, which is +32% above the national median.
What education do you need to become a Dredge Operators? ▼
The typical entry-level education for Dredge Operators is High school diploma or equivalent. On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training.
How dangerous is being a Dredge Operators? ▼
Dredge Operators 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 Dredge Operators a good career? ▼
Employment for Dredge Operators is projected to grow 1.2% from 2024 to 2034, which is slower than average. About 100 openings are projected each year.
How does Dredge Operators pay vary by state? ▼
Dredge Operators salaries vary significantly by state. The highest-paying state is Texas at $65,580/year, while Ohio pays the least at $53,310/year. BLS data covers 9 states and territories.
Which metro areas pay the most for Dredge Operators? ▼
The highest-paying metro area for Dredge Operators is Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX at $72,960/year. BLS reports wage data for 3 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 Dredge Operators pay figures in a real decision

  • For an experienced offer, anchor on the 75th percentile (about $62,070/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: Texas leads at $65,580/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.