Bridge and Lock Tenders salary in California
Bridge and Lock Tenders in California earn a median of $72,390 a year ($34.80 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,960 for the top 10%. That is 25% higher than the national median of $57,700. California ranks 5th of 23 states for bridge and lock tenders pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.01 bridge and lock tenders per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.24). The average (mean) salary is $68,070, close to the median.
Pay range for bridge and lock tenders in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,440 | $23.29 |
| 25th percentile | $52,800 | $25.38 |
| Median | $72,390 | $34.80 |
| 75th percentile | $79,150 | $38.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,960 | $41.81 |
| Average (mean) | $68,070 | $32.73 |
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 | $6,032.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,016.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,784.23 |
| Weekly | $1,392.12 |
| Hourly | $34.80 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highest-paying states for bridge and lock tenders
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $78,020 |
| Mississippi | $74,730 |
| Minnesota | $74,420 |
| Missouri | $74,110 |
| California | $72,390 |
| Illinois | $70,890 |
| Iowa | $70,890 |
| Pennsylvania | $68,810 |
| Alabama | $66,830 |
| West Virginia | $65,460 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Parking Attendant | $38,060 | $18.30 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $41,770 | $20.08 |
| Passenger Attendant | $43,340 | $20.84 |
| Aircraft Service Attendant | $46,800 | $22.50 |
| Transportation Workers, All Other | $47,590 | $22.88 |
| Transportation Inspector | $83,000 | $39.90 |
| Traffic Technician | $79,110 | $38.03 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,710 | $21.50 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $42,870 | $20.61 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,230 | $28.96 |
| Light Truck Driver | $46,790 | $22.50 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,770 | $22.97 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,260 | $17.91 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $65,550 | $31.51 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in California
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 California?
The median salary for bridge and lock tenders in California is $72,390 a year, or $34.80 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bridge and lock tenders make in California?
The top 10% of bridge and lock tenders in California earn at least $86,960 a year. The top 25% earn $79,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for bridge and lock tenders in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,440 a year, and a quarter of bridge and lock tenders earn $52,800 or less.
How many bridge and lock tenders work in California?
About 80 bridge and lock tenders are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.