Bridge and Lock Tenders salary in Virginia
Bridge and Lock Tenders in Virginia earn a median of $47,120 a year ($22.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,100 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $57,700. Virginia ranks 19th of 23 states for bridge and lock tenders pay. There are 0.01 bridge and lock tenders per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.47). The average (mean) salary is $53,000, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bridge and lock tenders in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,160 | $18.35 |
| 25th percentile | $38,160 | $18.35 |
| Median | $47,120 | $22.65 |
| 75th percentile | $77,960 | $37.48 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,100 | $37.55 |
| Average (mean) | $53,000 | $25.48 |
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 | $3,926.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,963.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,812.31 |
| Weekly | $906.15 |
| Hourly | $22.65 |
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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $30,350 | $14.59 |
| Parking Attendant | $30,110 | $14.48 |
| Aircraft Service Attendant | $39,210 | $18.85 |
| Transportation Inspector | $68,610 | $32.99 |
| Traffic Technician | $62,270 | $29.94 |
| Passenger Attendant | $38,810 | $18.66 |
| Transportation Workers, All Other | $51,110 | $24.57 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,380 | $17.49 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $39,380 | $18.94 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $56,860 | $27.34 |
| Light Truck Driver | $42,450 | $20.41 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,920 | $22.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $62,130 | $29.87 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $50,190 | $24.13 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for bridge and lock tenders in Virginia is $47,120 a year, or $22.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bridge and lock tenders make in Virginia?
The top 10% of bridge and lock tenders in Virginia earn at least $78,100 a year. The top 25% earn $77,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for bridge and lock tenders in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,160 a year, and a quarter of bridge and lock tenders earn $38,160 or less.
How many bridge and lock tenders work in Virginia?
About 40 bridge and lock tenders are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.