Bridge and Lock Tenders Salary in the United States
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for bridge and lock tenders in the United States was $57,700 ($27.74 per hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES survey.
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,090 | $13.51 |
| 25th | $38,640 | $18.58 |
| Median | $57,700 | $27.74 |
| 75th | $69,620 | $33.47 |
| 90th | $75,360 | $36.23 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 53-6011
- Total U.S. employment: 3,040
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
What the data says
The median wage in this area is 0.0% below the national median — a difference of about $0 per year for a typical worker.
Pay spans a wide range: workers at the 10th percentile earn about $28,090, while those at the 90th percentile earn about $75,360 — a 2.7x gap between entry-level and top earners.
Bridge and Lock Tenders Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $66,830 | $32.13 | +15.8% | 70 |
| California | $72,390 | $34.80 | +25.5% | 80 |
| Florida | $28,090 | $13.51 | -51.3% | 470 |
| Illinois | $70,890 | $34.08 | +22.9% | 290 |
| Indiana | $60,780 | $29.22 | +5.3% | 60 |
| Iowa | $70,890 | $34.08 | +22.9% | 50 |
| Kentucky | $58,220 | $27.99 | +0.9% | 100 |
| Louisiana | $39,090 | $18.80 | -32.3% | 370 |
| Massachusetts | $55,830 | $26.84 | -3.2% | 40 |
| Michigan | $50,540 | $24.30 | -12.4% | 130 |
| Minnesota | $74,420 | $35.78 | +29.0% | 60 |
| Mississippi | $74,730 | $35.93 | +29.5% | 50 |
| Missouri | $74,110 | $35.63 | +28.4% | 40 |
| New York | $51,560 | $24.79 | -10.6% | 210 |
| North Carolina | $41,380 | $19.90 | -28.3% | 50 |
| Ohio | $58,410 | $28.08 | +1.2% | 110 |
| Pennsylvania | $68,810 | $33.08 | +19.3% | 110 |
| Tennessee | $60,420 | $29.05 | +4.7% | 60 |
| Texas | $45,820 | $22.03 | -20.6% | 70 |
| Virginia | $47,120 | $22.65 | -18.3% | 40 |
| Washington | $78,020 | $37.51 | +35.2% | 50 |
| West Virginia | $65,460 | $31.47 | +13.4% | 60 |
| Wisconsin | $57,350 | $27.57 | -0.6% | 110 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
Related Occupations
- Home Health and Personal Care Aides — $35,800/yr
- Retail Salespersons — $35,410/yr
- Fast Food and Counter Workers — $31,200/yr
- General and Operations Managers — $105,770/yr
- Registered Nurses — $97,550/yr
- Cashiers — $32,880/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for bridge and lock tenders?
The median annual wage for bridge and lock tenders is $57,700 ($27.74 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2025.
Which state pays bridge and lock tenders the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many bridge and lock tenders are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 3,040 bridge and lock tenders employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do bridge and lock tenders make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $27.74. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.