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.
Bridge and Lock Tenders
SOC: 53-6011 O*NET: 53-6011.00
Median Salary
$58,490
per year
Job Growth
📉 -3.3%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.3
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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.
What does a Bridge and Lock Tenders do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$32,690
10th percentile
Early Career
$43,700
25th percentile
Median
$58,490
50th percentile
Experienced
$69,530
75th percentile
Top Earners
$74,400
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$32,690
25th
$43,700
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$58,490
Mean: $56,520
75th
$69,530
90th
$74,400
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $41,710 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $43,700 and $69,530
- •Salary spread is 44.2% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 2,720 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:2,900
Top Industries
Rail Transportation8.1%
Rail Transportation8.1%
Support Activities for Transportation4.8%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-3.3%
Annual Openings:300
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)2,900
Current
2034 (Projected)2,800
-3.3%
-100
Employment Change
-3.3%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Bridge and Lock Tenders professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 22 locations
Louisiana
350 jobs$35,87010.51x
Illinois
290 jobs$69,5302.69x
New York
220 jobs$51,3401.33x
Florida
180 jobs$42,4701.02x
Pennsylvania
120 jobs$67,5001.08x
Ohio
100 jobs$56,0801.05x
Wisconsin
100 jobs$55,5301.96x
Kentucky
90 jobs$60,7802.51x
Indiana
90 jobs$47,6701.53x
Minnesota
70 jobs$72,9601.46x
Texas
70 jobs$59,3000.28x
California
70 jobs$57,7500.22x
Iowa
60 jobs$70,1402.11x
Alabama
60 jobs$68,0001.49x
West Virginia
60 jobs$65,4605.17x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Monitoring
100%
#2
Coordination
92%
#3
Operations Monitoring
82%
#4
Critical Thinking
74%
#5
Speaking
66%
#6
Judgment and Decision Making
58%
#7
Operation and Control
48%
#8
Active Listening
40%
Skills Overview
Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Coordination
advanced4.6
92%
Operations Monitoring
intermediate4.1
82%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.7
74%
Speaking
intermediate3.3
66%
Judgment and Decision Making
basic2.9
58%
Operation and Control
basic2.4
48%
Active Listening
basic2.0
40%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Monitoring
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Coordination
advancedImportance92%
skills
4.6/5.0
Operations Monitoring
intermediateImportance82%
skills
4.1/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance58%
abilities
2.9/5.0
Operation and Control
basicImportance48%
abilities
2.4/5.0
Active Listening
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels80%
5 shared skills
Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters80%
5 shared skills
Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals80%
5 shared skills
Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders80%
5 shared skills
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters80%
5 shared skills
Riggers80%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Coordination
Learn on the Job:
- →Speaking
- →Judgment and Decision Making
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Coordination
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Critical Thinking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Bridge and Lock Tenders
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechOracle PeopleSoft
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
Oracle PeopleSoft
SAP software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
18
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (13)Documentation & Record-Keeping (3)Management & Supervision (1)Operations & Execution (1)
1
Move levers to activate traffic signals, navigation lights, and alarms.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Record names, types, and destinations of vessels passing through bridge openings or locks, and numbers of trains or vehicles crossing bridges.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping97% perform98%
3
Control machinery to open and close canal locks and dams, railroad or highway drawbridges, or horizontally or vertically adjustable bridges.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Direct movements of vessels in locks or bridge areas, using signals, telecommunication equipment, or loudspeakers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision91% perform94%
5
Prepare accident reports.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping88% perform92%
6
Observe approaching vessels to determine size and speed, and listen for whistle signals indicating desire to pass.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Observe position and progress of vessels to ensure best use of lock spaces or bridge opening spaces.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Maintain and guard stations in bridges to check waterways for boat traffic.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping79% perform86%
9
Inspect canal and bridge equipment, and areas, such as roadbeds, for damage or defects, reporting problems to supervisors as necessary.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Clean and lubricate equipment, and make minor repairs and adjustments.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •39% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Bridge and Lock Tenders
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Bridge and Lock Tenders professionals typically have a RCE Holland code and highly value relationships
RRealistic
CConventional
EEnterprising
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Bridge and Lock Tenders
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.90
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.15
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.15
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.05
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.00
Concern for Others
ImportantConcern for Others
Importance Level3.80
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.9
Self-Control
4.2
Attention to Detail
4.2
Integrity
4.0
Cooperation
4.0
Concern for Others
3.8
Stress Tolerance
3.7
Independence
3.7
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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