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Skilled Trades

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.

Median salary (BLS)

$57,700

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$28k – $75k

Job outlook

No separate BLS projection for this specific role

AI exposure

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Education

Typical entry: No degree required

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How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$100–$2,600

Time to qualify

3.1 yr

Renewal

$50/yr

  1. 1

    Registered apprenticeship (paid)

    Experience

    Earn-while-you-learn training — apprentices are paid during the program; fees are tools/books, not tuition.

    $0–$2,000 · 36 months · varies by state source

  2. 2

    Journeyman exam & state/local license

    License

    Most states and municipalities test and license journeyman-level trades workers.

    $100–$600 · 1 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Bridge and Lock Tenders" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Bridge and Lock Tenders

    Entry / Junior

    $28,090

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Bridge and Lock Tenders

    Established

    $57,700

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Bridge and Lock Tenders

    Senior

    $66,530

Key skills

A typical day

  • •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.

Fields of study

Any field

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.