Bridge and Lock Tenders salary in Michigan
Bridge and Lock Tenders in Michigan earn a median of $50,540 a year ($24.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,520 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $57,700. Michigan ranks 18th of 23 states for bridge and lock tenders pay. There are 0.03 bridge and lock tenders per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $48,540, close to the median.
Pay range for bridge and lock tenders in Michigan
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,210 | $15.49 |
| 25th percentile | $35,000 | $16.83 |
| Median | $50,540 | $24.30 |
| 75th percentile | $55,850 | $26.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,520 | $36.31 |
| Average (mean) | $48,540 | $23.34 |
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 | $4,211.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,105.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,943.85 |
| Weekly | $971.92 |
| Hourly | $24.30 |
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 Michigan
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $35,000 | 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 Michigan
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $31,280 | $15.04 |
| Parking Attendant | $33,690 | $16.20 |
| Passenger Attendant | $40,250 | $19.35 |
| Transportation Inspector | $35,890 | $17.25 |
| Aircraft Service Attendant | $41,360 | $19.89 |
| Transportation Workers, All Other | $37,190 | $17.88 |
| Traffic Technician | $37,890 | $18.22 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $35,930 | $17.27 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,860 | $18.68 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $57,180 | $27.49 |
| Light Truck Driver | $43,000 | $20.67 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $45,220 | $21.74 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,340 | $16.99 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $39,610 | $19.04 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Michigan
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 Michigan?
The median salary for bridge and lock tenders in Michigan is $50,540 a year, or $24.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bridge and lock tenders make in Michigan?
The top 10% of bridge and lock tenders in Michigan earn at least $75,520 a year. The top 25% earn $55,850 or more.
What is the starting pay for bridge and lock tenders in Michigan?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,210 a year, and a quarter of bridge and lock tenders earn $35,000 or less.
How many bridge and lock tenders work in Michigan?
About 130 bridge and lock tenders are employed in Michigan, not counting the self-employed.