Dredge Operator salary in Wisconsin
Dredge Operators in Wisconsin earn a median of $54,310 a year ($26.11 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $44,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,580 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $49,640. Wisconsin ranks 4th of 9 states for dredge operators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. The average (mean) salary is $53,870, close to the median.
Pay range for dredge operators in Wisconsin
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,190 | $21.25 |
| 25th percentile | $46,320 | $22.27 |
| Median | $54,310 | $26.11 |
| 75th percentile | $61,030 | $29.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,580 | $31.05 |
| Average (mean) | $53,870 | $25.90 |
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 | $4,525.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,262.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,088.85 |
| Weekly | $1,044.42 |
| Hourly | $26.11 |
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 Wisconsin
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,610 | $21.45 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $35,000 | $16.83 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,010 | $17.31 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,720 | $22.94 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,280 | $16.96 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $59,810 | $28.76 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $35,580 | $17.10 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $55,120 | $26.50 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $39,550 | $19.01 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $67,720 | $32.56 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $57,250 | $27.52 |
| Hoist and Winch Operators | $36,560 | $17.58 |
| Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | $60,320 | $29.00 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,610 | $28.18 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin?
The median salary for dredge operators in Wisconsin is $54,310 a year, or $26.11 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dredge operators make in Wisconsin?
The top 10% of dredge operators in Wisconsin earn at least $64,580 a year. The top 25% earn $61,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for dredge operators in Wisconsin?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,190 a year, and a quarter of dredge operators earn $46,320 or less.