Dredge Operator salary in New Jersey
Dredge Operators in New Jersey earn a median of $63,810 a year ($30.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,390 for the top 10%. That is 29% higher than the national median of $49,640. New Jersey ranks 2nd of 9 states for dredge operators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.01 dredge operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $66,300, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dredge operators in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,180 | $27.01 |
| 25th percentile | $58,700 | $28.22 |
| Median | $63,810 | $30.68 |
| 75th percentile | $73,010 | $35.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,390 | $35.76 |
| Average (mean) | $66,300 | $31.87 |
Half of dredge operators 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 | $5,317.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,658.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,454.23 |
| Weekly | $1,227.12 |
| Hourly | $30.68 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highest-paying states for dredge operators
Related jobs in New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $39,540 | $19.01 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $43,840 | $21.08 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,250 | $17.91 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,100 | $22.16 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $37,090 | $17.83 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $54,630 | $26.27 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $100,640 | $48.39 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $44,890 | $21.58 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $64,870 | $31.19 |
| Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | $64,990 | $31.24 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $50,750 | $24.40 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $64,890 | $31.20 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $63,570 | $30.56 |
| Light Truck Driver | $46,820 | $22.51 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in New Jersey
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-7031. 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 dredge operator make in New Jersey?
The median salary for dredge operators in New Jersey is $63,810 a year, or $30.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dredge operators make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of dredge operators in New Jersey earn at least $74,390 a year. The top 25% earn $73,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for dredge operators in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,180 a year, and a quarter of dredge operators earn $58,700 or less.
How many dredge operators work in New Jersey?
About 30 dredge operators are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.