Bridge and Lock Tenders

Definition

Operate and tend bridges, canal locks, and lighthouses to permit marine passage on inland waterways, near shores, and at danger points in waterway passages. May supervise such operations. Includes drawbridge operators, lock tenders and operators, and slip bridge operators.

source: OOH; about this section

Significant Points

2004 employment: 3,700
Projected 2004-14 employment change: More slowly than average
Most significant source of postsecondary education or training: Short-term on-the-job training

source: OOH; about this section

Quick Stats

Bridge and lock tenders

2004 employment: 4,000
2014 projected employment: 4,000
employment numbers are rounded to the nearest thousand; percent changes are calculated with unrounded numbers
Change — numeric: 0; percent: 7.2%
2004 median annual earnings: $37,390; earnings group: high
2004 self-employed: 0.0%
2004 part-time employment: low
2004 unemployment: high
Typical education and training: Short-term on-the-job training
Educational attainment — high school: 63.7%; some college: 26.8%; bachelor's degree: 9.5%

source: Employment Matrix; about this section

Earnings Graph

National Average and Percentile Annual Earnings, May 2005

Metropolitan area and State estimates.

source: Occupational Employment Statistics Program; about this section

Area and Industry Statistics

May 2005 Mean Annual Earnings and Employment, wage and salary workers

Bridge and lock tenders
— National
U.S.:	$36,270
— by State
AL:	$44,860
AR:	$39,050
CA:	$36,080
FL:	$24,820
IL:	$46,910
IN:	$40,270
IA:	$46,390
KY:	$44,390
LA:	$27,920
MD:	$23,880
MA:	$32,670
MI:	$33,350
MN:	$46,410
MS:	$39,970
MO:	$29,010
NJ:	$35,640
NY:	$36,410
NC:	$19,250
OH:	$43,720
PA:	$46,490
TN:	$39,590
TX:	$35,810
WA:	$39,830
WV:	$43,650
WI:	$41,160
— by NAICS Industry Sector
48-49	$32,890
56	$19,960
62	$22,890
92	$37,490
Also see State and Metropolitan Area and industry estimates of employment and percentile earnings for bridge and lock tenders.

Width of bars indicates mean annual wages; color of bars indicates employment.

source: Occupational Employment Statistics Program; about this section

Census Statistics

1999 employment and earnings distribution, year-round full-time workers

Bridge and lock tenders

	Percentile earnings distribution
	10th	25th	50th	75th	90th
All workers employment: 3,740 average earnings: $37,000	$17,000	$27,000	$37,000	$44,000	$54,000
Men employment: 3,260 average earnings: $37,000	$20,000	$30,000	$39,000	$45,000	$54,000
Women employment: 480 average earnings: $24,000	$10,000	$14,000	$19,000	$28,000	$45,000

source: Bureau of the Census; about this section

Also see Bridge and lock tenders in the 2004-05 edition of the Occupational Outlook Handbook
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See the Occupational Outlook Handbook in print.