Career comparison
Bridge Tender vs. Deckhand
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Bridge tenders earn more at the median ($57,700 vs. $51,520), while bridge tenders usually get to work faster (A few weeks of training of training). Bridge tenders open drawbridges and run canal locks so boats can pass. Deckhands work aboard tugboats, barges, ferries and ships handling lines, cargo and maintenance.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Bridge Tender | Deckhand | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $57,700 ($27.74/hr) | $51,520 ($24.77/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $28,090 – $75,360 | $34,560 – $83,620 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -2.3% (a projected decline) | +3.2% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 300 | 3,600 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | No formal educational credential |
| Training time | A few weeks of training | 1–4 weeks |
| Key credential | Agency training | Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) |
| Work setting | Tenders work in bridge houses and lock control rooms.. | Deckhands work on vessels in all weather, on slippery decks, around heavy lines and machinery and far from shore. |
What each job does
Bridge Tender
- Open and close bridges
- Stop traffic
- Operate locks
- Communicate with vessels
- Inspect equipment
Deckhand
- Handle mooring lines and tie up vessels
- Build and break barge tows
- Stand lookout and security watches
- Load, secure and check cargo
- Clean, chip and paint the vessel
How they’re similar
Both careers involve shift work. Both are part of the transportation & logistics field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose bridge tender if…
- I like quiet work
- I pay attention
- I can work shifts
Choose deckhand if…
- I love being on the water
- I can be away for weeks at a time
- I like hard physical work
Still torn? Take the Bridge Tender fit quiz and the Deckhand fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, bridge tender or deckhand?
Bridge Tenders earn more at the median: $57,700 versus $51,520 for deckhands, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Bridge Tenders typically train faster (A few weeks of training) than deckhands (1–4 weeks).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects deckhands to grow +3.2% from 2025–35, compared with -2.3% for bridge tenders.