Bridge and Lock Tenders
SOC code 53-6011 · O*NET-SOC 53-6011.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Transportation
Bridge and Lock Tenders pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$57,700
a year
Hourly
$27.74
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$55,370
$26.62 per hour
Middle 50%
$38,640 – $69,620
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$28,090 – $75,360
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
3,040
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $28,090
- $13.51/hr
- 25th percentile
- $38,640
- $18.58/hr
- Median percentile
- $57,700
- $27.74/hr
- 75th percentile
- $69,620
- $33.47/hr
- 90th percentile
- $75,360
- $36.23/hr
What do bridge and lock tenders do?
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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 65% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)65%
- Post-Secondary Certificate20%
- Less than a High School Diploma15%
Common questions
How much does a bridge and lock tenders earn?
The national median is $57,700 a year. The full range runs from $28,090 at the 10th percentile to $75,360 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a bridge and lock tenders without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Monitoring3.3/5
- Active Listening3.0/5
- Speaking3.0/5
- Critical Thinking3.0/5
- Reading Comprehension2.9/5
- Writing2.9/5
Knowledge areas
- Public Safety and Security3.4/5
- English Language3.3/5
- Telecommunications3.0/5
- Education and Training2.9/5
- Transportation2.8/5
- Customer and Personal Service2.7/5
- Administrative2.6/5
- Administration and Management2.5/5
Transferable strengths: Coordination, Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Judgment and Decision Making.