Ship Captain
Command and navigate ships, tugs and ferries on oceans, rivers and lakes.
- $92,460
- Years of sea time and credentials
Transportation & Logistics career
Bridge Tender
Also called: Bridge Operator · Lock Tender · Lock and Dam Operator · Drawbridge Operator
What bridge tenders do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a bridge tender do?
Bridge and lock tenders operate and tend bridges, canal locks and lighthouses to permit marine passage on inland waterways. The median pay is $57,700 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few weeks of training, and employment is projected to grow -2.3% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$57,700$27.74/hour · May 2025
- Job growth-2.3%2025–35, a projected decline
- Openings per year300Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to trainA few weeks of trainingTypical program length
- U.S. jobs3,100Employment, 2025
What bridge tenders do
Bridge tenders let boats through. They open and close drawbridges, stop road traffic, run canal locks to raise and lower vessels, communicate with boats by radio and keep logs. Many work for state transportation departments or the Army Corps of Engineers.
A high school diploma and short training are typical. BLS projects slight decline.
Typical duties
- Open and close bridges
- Stop traffic
- Operate locks
- Communicate with vessels
- Inspect equipment
- Keep logs
- Report problems
Work environment and schedule
Tenders work in bridge houses and lock control rooms.
Schedule: Shifts cover 24/7 operations.
A day in the life
- Shift handoff.
- Inspect controls.
- Open for a barge.
- Close and clear traffic.
See a full day in the life of a bridge tender →
Bridge Tender salary
Half of bridge tenders earned more than $57,700 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $28,090 for the lowest 10% to $75,360 for the top 10%.
Full bridge tender pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a bridge tender
- Finish high school
- Apply to a DOT or Army Corps
- Complete training
- Work shifts
- Advance
A high school diploma and short-term on-the-job training are typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a bridge tender →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Bridge controls
- Lock operation
- Marine radio
- Traffic control
- Equipment checks
People skills
- Attention
- Reliability
- Calm
- Communication
All bridge tender skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Public sector benefits
- Short training
- Quiet periods
- Unique job
Cons
- Isolation
- Shift work
- Slight decline
- Responsibility for safety
Certifications and licenses
- Agency training: DOT or Army Corps.
- Marine radio training: Helpful.
- First aid: Helpful.
- Clean background: Required.
Career path
- Bridge Tender: Entry.
- Lead Tender: Lead.
- Lock Master: Run locks.
- Operations Supervisor: Lead.
Learn the job before day one
Our Bridge Tender training (8 hours, $74.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as open a drawbridge safely and lock a boat through a canal, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Deckhand
Work aboard tugboats, barges, ferries and ships handling lines, cargo and maintenance.
- $51,520
- 1–4 weeks
Traffic Technician
Study traffic and help keep signals and roads working well.
- $59,090
- Several months on the job
Highway Maintenance Worker
Keep highways safe by patching roads, plowing snow and maintaining signs.
- $50,260
- Months on the job
Compare: Bridge Tender vs. Ship Captain · Bridge Tender vs. Deckhand · Bridge Tender vs. Traffic Technician · Bridge Tender vs. Highway Maintenance Worker
Bridge Tender FAQ
Who hires bridge tenders?
State DOTs, cities and the Army Corps of Engineers.
Do I need a degree?
No.
Is the job declining?
BLS projects slight decline.
How much does a bridge tender make?
The median annual wage for bridge tenders was $57,700 ($27.74 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $28,090 and the highest 10% earned more than $75,360.
How long does it take to become a bridge tender?
Most people need about A few weeks of training of training. A high school diploma and short-term on-the-job training are typical.
Do you need a degree to be a bridge tender?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.
More bridge tender questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 53-6011 (Bridge and lock tenders).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Bridge and lock tenders (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.