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
$58,490
Typical range
$33k – $74k
Job outlook
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Plan a path to Bridge and Lock Tenders
Education
Typical entry: No degree required
Plan my path to this →Typical progression
Junior Bridge and Lock Tenders
Entry / Junior
$32,690
~2 yrs to advance
Bridge and Lock Tenders
Established
$58,490
~3 yrs to advance
Senior Bridge and Lock Tenders
Senior
$66,445
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
Top colleges for Skilled Trades
Explore all- Purdue University50% admit · $78,000 grad pay
- Ohio State University53% admit · $68,000 grad pay
- Pennsylvania State University55% admit · $70,000 grad pay
Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.