Dredge Operators
Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed
Operate dredge to remove sand, gravel, or other materials in order to excavate and maintain navigable channels in waterways.
Median pay: $49,640/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: +1.2% projected growth, 2024–2034 — about as fast as average.
About 100 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.
• 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.
What's the median pay for Dredge Operators?
The median pay for Dredge Operators is $49,640 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Dredge Operators?
Employment for Dredge Operators is projected to change +1.2% from 2024 to 2034 - about as fast as average.
What education is typically required for Dredge Operators?
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
How many job openings are there each year for Dredge Operators?
About 100 openings per year, on average, over the decade.