Career comparison
Bridge Tender vs. Ship Captain
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Ship captains earn more at the median ($92,460 vs. $57,700), 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. Ship captains command and navigate ships, tugs and ferries on oceans, rivers and lakes.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Bridge Tender | Ship Captain | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $57,700 ($27.74/hr) | $92,460 ($44.45/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $28,090 – $75,360 | $47,420 – $170,640 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -2.3% (a projected decline) | +4.0% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 300 | 3,800 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Training time | A few weeks of training | Years of sea time and credentials |
| Key credential | Agency training | USCG Master or Mate license |
| Work setting | Tenders work in bridge houses and lock control rooms.. | Captains work on vessels for weeks or months at a time.. |
What each job does
Bridge Tender
- Open and close bridges
- Stop traffic
- Operate locks
- Communicate with vessels
- Inspect equipment
Ship Captain
- Navigate vessels
- Stand watch
- Supervise crew
- Plan voyages
- Oversee cargo
How they’re similar
Both careers involve high responsibility. 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 ship captain if…
- I love the water
- I can lead a crew
- I can be away for weeks
Still torn? Take the Bridge Tender fit quiz and the Ship Captain fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, bridge tender or ship captain?
Ship Captains earn more at the median: $92,460 versus $57,700 for bridge tenders, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Bridge Tenders typically train faster (A few weeks of training) than ship captains (Years of sea time and credentials).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects ship captains to grow +4.0% from 2025–35, compared with -2.3% for bridge tenders.