Bridge and Lock Tenders
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.
Also called: Bridge Operator · Bridge Tender · Lock Tender
Median pay (national)
$58,490
$32,690–$74,400 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
2,720
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
-3.3%
~300 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for bridge and lock tenders shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $74,400 versus $32,690 at the bottom 10% — 2.3x. The median of $58,490 leaves roughly 27% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change -3.3% from 2024 to 2034 — a projected decline, against +3% across all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 300 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 22 states with released data, Washington pays the most for this role (median $75,920, +30% vs the national median), while North Carolina sits lowest at $33,970 — a 123% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Monitoring, Active Listening, Speaking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
Tailor your resume to Bridge and Lock Tenders
Honest tailoring
See how your resume lines up with Bridge and Lock Tenders
Refit re-angles your real experience toward this role using the skills above — and never invents skills you don't have. A no-fabrication gate checks every change before you see it.
Free. No account needed to see your first re-fit.
Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Learning Strategies
- Active Learning
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- 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.
- Prepare accident reports.
- Perform maintenance duties, such as sweeping, painting, and yard work to keep facilities clean and in order.
Tools & technology
- Oracle PeopleSoft
- SAP software
- Virtual private networking VPN software
- Email software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
Knowledge areas
- Public Safety and Security
- English Language
- Telecommunications
- Education and Training
- Transportation
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administrative
- Administration and Management