Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
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.
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.
Top skills:MonitoringSpeakingOperations MonitoringOperation and ControlJudgment and Decision MakingCritical Thinking
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Bridge and Lock Tenders pay by experience level
Entry level$29,000
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$40,000
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$59,500
Mid-career median pay
Senior$72,000
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$78,000
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
-3.3%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
300
projected openings per year
Declining
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Bridge and Lock Tenders salary by industry
Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Schools and Hospitals and USPS
2,440 workers
$61,000
Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation)
1,210 workers
$70,500
Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
700 workers
$53,500
State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
530 workers
$49,000
Support Activities for Transportation
340 workers
$29,500
Support Activities for Road Transportation
340 workers
$29,500
Rail Transportation
200 workers
$63,500
Rail Transportation
200 workers
$63,500
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Bridge and Lock Tenders pays 17% below the average across 53 roles in the Transportation and Material Moving job family (family average $69,000).
Similar-paying roles in Transportation and Material Moving
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