How much does a bridge and lock tender make?
The median bridge and lock tender in the United States earns $57,700 per year, about $27.74 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all bridge and lock tenders earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 53-6011.
Bridge and lock tender salary range
Pay for bridge and lock tenders spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $28,090 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $75,360. The average (mean) wage is $55,370, close to the median.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $28,090 | $13.51 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $38,640 | $18.58 | |
| Median (50th) | $57,700 | $27.74 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $69,620 | $33.47 | |
| 90th percentile | $75,360 | $36.23 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for bridge and lock tenders (SOC 53-6011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Bridge and lock tender salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Bridge and lock tenders earn the most in Washington at $78,020 a year, and the least in Florida at $28,090. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $78,020 | 50 |
| Mississippi | $74,730 | 50 |
| Minnesota | $74,420 | 60 |
| Missouri | $74,110 | 40 |
| California | $72,390 | 80 |
| Illinois | $70,890 | 290 |
| Iowa | $70,890 | 50 |
| Pennsylvania | $68,810 | 110 |
| Alabama | $66,830 | 70 |
| West Virginia | $65,460 | 60 |
| Indiana | $60,780 | 60 |
| Tennessee | $60,420 | 60 |
| Ohio | $58,410 | 110 |
| Kentucky | $58,220 | 100 |
| Wisconsin | $57,350 | 110 |
| Massachusetts | $55,830 | 40 |
| New York | $51,560 | 210 |
| Michigan | $50,540 | 130 |
| Virginia | $47,120 | 40 |
| Texas | $45,820 | 70 |
| North Carolina | $41,380 | 50 |
| Louisiana | $39,090 | 370 |
| Florida | $28,090 | 470 |
State median wages for bridge and lock tenders (SOC 53-6011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for bridge and lock tenders
The BLS projects employment of bridge and lock tenders to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 2.3%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 3,100 jobs in 2025 moving toward 3,100 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 300 openings a year for bridge and lock tenders. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a bridge and lock tender
The typical entry-level education for bridge and lock tenders is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a bridge and lock tender earns
Route type, employer, endorsements, and hours behind the wheel drive pay. Long-haul, specialized freight, and union employers tend to sit at the top of the range, while local and entry-level roles start lower.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Washington, $78,020) and the lowest (Florida, $28,090) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 3,040 people work as bridge and lock tenders in the United States. At $57,700 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Bridge and lock tender salary FAQ
How much does a bridge and lock tender make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a bridge and lock tender is $27.74. The middle half of bridge and lock tenders earn between $18.58 and $33.47 per hour.
What is the highest bridge and lock tender salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of bridge and lock tenders earn more than $75,360 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a bridge and lock tender make a year?
The median annual salary for a bridge and lock tender is $57,700. The average (mean) wage is $55,370, close to the median.
Is being a bridge and lock tender a well paid job?
At $57,700 a year, a bridge and lock tender earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 3,040 people work as bridge and lock tenders in the United States.
Which state pays bridge and lock tenders the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for bridge and lock tenders at $78,020 a year. Mississippi ($74,730) and Minnesota ($74,420) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a bridge and lock tender a good career?
Employment of bridge and lock tenders is projected to shrink 2.3% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 300 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a bridge and lock tender?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for bridge and lock tenders as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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