Operate dredge to remove sand, gravel, or other materials in order to excavate and maintain navigable channels in waterways.
Dredge Operators
SOC: 53-7031 O*NET: 53-7031.00
Median Salary
$48,430
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 1.2%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.1
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Operate dredge to remove sand, gravel, or other materials in order to excavate and maintain navigable channels in waterways.
What does a Dredge Operators do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$42,060
10th percentile
Early Career
$46,120
25th percentile
Median
$48,430
50th percentile
Experienced
$60,300
75th percentile
Top Earners
$75,050
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$42,060
25th
$46,120
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$48,430
Mean: $55,820
75th
$60,300
90th
$75,050
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $32,990 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $46,120 and $60,300
- •Salary spread is 29.3% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 1,030 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:1,100
Top Industries
Construction49.5%
Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction45.6%
Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction43.7%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+1.2%
Annual Openings:100
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)1,100
Current
2034 (Projected)1,200
+1.2%
0
Employment Change
+1.2%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Dredge Operators professionals work across the United States
Showing 9 of 9 locations
Alabama
110 jobs$51,1107.53x
New Jersey
80 jobs$70,4002.73x
North Carolina
80 jobs$46,6502.55x
Iowa
60 jobs$60,4005.94x
Florida
50 jobs$52,6400.73x
Ohio
50 jobs$51,2101.24x
Indiana
40 jobs$55,4701.83x
Nebraska
30 jobs$43,3205.15x
Louisiana
0 jobs$47,3600.00x
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
Standard growth expectations for this occupation
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operation and Control
100%
#2
Operations Monitoring
86%
#3
Coordination
70%
#4
Critical Thinking
56%
#5
Judgment and Decision Making
40%
Skills Overview
Operation and Control
advanced5.0
100%
Operations Monitoring
intermediate4.3
86%
Coordination
intermediate3.5
70%
Critical Thinking
basic2.8
56%
Judgment and Decision Making
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:
Operation and Control
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Operations Monitoring
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Coordination
intermediateImportance70%
skills
3.5/5.0
Critical Thinking
basicImportance56%
abilities
2.8/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Fallers67%
4 shared skills
Bridge and Lock Tenders63%
5 shared skills
Pourers and Casters, Metal57%
4 shared skills
Roustabouts, Oil and Gas57%
4 shared skills
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels50%
5 shared skills
Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assemblers50%
4 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Learn on the Job:
- →Critical Thinking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Operation and Control
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Operation and Control
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 Dredge Operators
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
Technology Stack
Technology stack information is being compiled for this career.
📚 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
CONSTANT
💡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
6
Core Tasks
6
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (4)Operations & Execution (1)Management & Supervision (1)
1
Move levers to position dredges for excavation, to engage hydraulic pumps, to raise and lower suction booms, and to control rotation of cutterheads.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Start and stop engines to operate equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution97% perform98%
3
Start power winches that draw in or let out cables to change positions of dredges, or pull in and let out cables manually.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Pump water to clear machinery pipelines.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Lower anchor poles to verify depths of excavations, using winches, or scan depth gauges to determine depths of excavations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Direct or assist workers placing shore anchors and cables, laying additional pipes from dredges to shore, and pumping water from pontoons.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision85% perform90%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •100% 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 Dredge Operators
💡 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?
Dredge Operators professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Dredge Operators
Concern for Others
Very ImportantConcern for Others
Importance Level4.28
Leadership
Very ImportantLeadership
Importance Level4.03
Dependability
ImportantDependability
Importance Level3.80
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.79
Stress Tolerance
ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level3.63
Complete Work Styles Profile
Concern for Others
4.3
Leadership
4.0
Dependability
3.8
Cooperation
3.8
Stress Tolerance
3.6
💡 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
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Dredge Operators.
Browse Training Programs →