Bridge and Lock Tenders
Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed
Operate and tend bridges, canal locks, and lighthouses to permit marine passage on inland waterways, near shores, and at danger points in waterway passages. May supervise such operations. Includes drawbridge operators, lock operators, and slip bridge operators.
Median pay: $57,700/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: -3.3% projected growth, 2024–2034 — declining.
About 300 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• 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.
• Move levers to activate traffic signals, navigation lights, and alarms.
• Write and submit maintenance work requisitions.
• Log data, such as water levels and weather conditions.
What's the median pay for Bridge and Lock Tenders?
The median pay for Bridge and Lock Tenders is $57,700 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Bridge and Lock Tenders?
Employment for Bridge and Lock Tenders is projected to change -3.3% from 2024 to 2034 - declining.
What education is typically required for Bridge and Lock Tenders?
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
How many job openings are there each year for Bridge and Lock Tenders?
About 300 openings per year, on average, over the decade.