Bridge and Lock Tenders salary in the U.S.
Bridge and Lock Tenders in the U.S. earn a median of $57,700 a year ($27.74 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,040 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,360 for the top 10%. The average (mean) salary is $55,370, close to the median.
Pay range for bridge and lock tenders in the U.S.
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,090 | $13.51 |
| 25th percentile | $38,640 | $18.58 |
| Median | $57,700 | $27.74 |
| 75th percentile | $69,620 | $33.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,360 | $36.23 |
| Average (mean) | $55,370 | $26.62 |
Half of bridge and lock tenders earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,808.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,404.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,219.23 |
| Weekly | $1,109.62 |
| Hourly | $27.74 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Bridge and Lock Tenders salary by state
| State | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $78,020 | 50 |
| Mississippi | $74,730 | 50 |
| Minnesota | $74,420 | 60 |
| Missouri | $74,110 | 40 |
| California | $72,390 | 80 |
| Illinois | $70,890 | 290 |
| Iowa | $70,890 | 50 |
| Pennsylvania | $68,810 | 110 |
| Alabama | $66,830 | 70 |
| West Virginia | $65,460 | 60 |
| Indiana | $60,780 | 60 |
| Tennessee | $60,420 | 60 |
| Ohio | $58,410 | 110 |
| Kentucky | $58,220 | 100 |
| Wisconsin | $57,350 | 110 |
| Massachusetts | $55,830 | 40 |
| New York | $51,560 | 210 |
| Michigan | $50,540 | 130 |
| Virginia | $47,120 | 40 |
| Texas | $45,820 | 70 |
| North Carolina | $41,380 | 50 |
| Louisiana | $39,090 | 370 |
| Florida | $28,090 | 470 |
Best-paying metro areas for bridge and lock tenders
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lafayette, LA | $75,340 | 30 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $74,480 | 30 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $73,110 | 120 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $70,890 | 50 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $69,970 | 40 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $68,810 | 110 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $54,720 | 120 |
| Cleveland, OH | $44,500 | 40 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $39,110 | 90 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $35,000 | 50 |
Metro areas with the most bridge and lock tenders
| Metro area | Workers | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 120 | $73,110 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 120 | $54,720 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 110 | $68,810 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | 90 | $39,110 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 50 | $70,890 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | 50 | $35,000 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 40 | $69,970 |
| Cleveland, OH | 40 | $44,500 |
| Lafayette, LA | 30 | $75,340 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | 30 | $74,480 |
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Parking Attendant | $35,150 | $16.90 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $35,670 | $17.15 |
| Aircraft Service Attendant | $40,450 | $19.45 |
| Passenger Attendant | $37,720 | $18.14 |
| Transportation Inspector | $92,100 | $44.28 |
| Transportation Workers, All Other | $45,650 | $21.95 |
| Traffic Technician | $59,090 | $28.41 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,240 | $19.35 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,330 | $17.95 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,640 | $28.19 |
| Light Truck Driver | $44,860 | $21.57 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,420 | $22.32 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $62,890 | $30.23 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,280 | $17.44 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-6011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bridge and lock tenders make in the U.S.?
The median salary for bridge and lock tenders in the U.S. is $57,700 a year, or $27.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bridge and lock tenders make in the U.S.?
The top 10% of bridge and lock tenders in the U.S. earn at least $75,360 a year. The top 25% earn $69,620 or more.
What is the starting pay for bridge and lock tenders in the U.S.?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,090 a year, and a quarter of bridge and lock tenders earn $38,640 or less.
How many bridge and lock tenders work in the U.S.?
About 3,040 bridge and lock tenders are employed in the U.S., not counting the self-employed.