Bridge and Lock Tenders salary in Iowa
Bridge and Lock Tenders in Iowa earn a median of $70,890 a year ($34.08 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,420 for the top 10%. That is 23% higher than the national median of $57,700. Iowa ranks 7th of 23 states for bridge and lock tenders pay. There are 0.04 bridge and lock tenders per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $69,410, close to the median.
Pay range for bridge and lock tenders in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,360 | $30.46 |
| 25th percentile | $66,410 | $31.93 |
| Median | $70,890 | $34.08 |
| 75th percentile | $74,110 | $35.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,420 | $35.78 |
| Average (mean) | $69,410 | $33.37 |
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 | $5,907.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,953.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,726.54 |
| Weekly | $1,363.27 |
| Hourly | $34.08 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Bridge and Lock Tenders salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $70,890 | 50 |
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 Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Parking Attendant | $30,070 | $14.46 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $30,810 | $14.81 |
| Aircraft Service Attendant | $35,560 | $17.10 |
| Transportation Inspector | $116,850 | $56.18 |
| Traffic Technician | $68,100 | $32.74 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,070 | $27.92 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $43,490 | $20.91 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,640 | $17.62 |
| Light Truck Driver | $42,750 | $20.56 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,590 | $22.88 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,490 | $29.08 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $46,320 | $22.27 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $47,120 | $22.65 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,920 | $17.27 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for bridge and lock tenders in Iowa is $70,890 a year, or $34.08 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bridge and lock tenders make in Iowa?
The top 10% of bridge and lock tenders in Iowa earn at least $74,420 a year. The top 25% earn $74,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for bridge and lock tenders in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,360 a year, and a quarter of bridge and lock tenders earn $66,410 or less.
How many bridge and lock tenders work in Iowa?
About 50 bridge and lock tenders are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.