Transportation & Logistics
Bridge and Lock Tenders
Also called: Bridge Operator, Bridge Tender, Lock Tender
US median pay
$57,700
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
-2.3%
declining
Openings a year (US)
300
3,100 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
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 operators, and slip bridge operators.
What they do day to day
- Control machinery to open and close canal locks and dams, railroad or highway drawbridges, or horizontally or vertically adjustable bridges.
- Direct movements of vessels in locks or bridge areas, using signals, telecommunication equipment, or loudspeakers.
- Observe position and progress of vessels to ensure best use of lock spaces or bridge opening spaces.
- Record names, types, and destinations of vessels passing through bridge openings or locks, and numbers of trains or vehicles crossing bridges.
- Observe approaching vessels to determine size and speed, and listen for whistle signals indicating desire to pass.
- Move levers to activate traffic signals, navigation lights, and alarms.
- Write and submit maintenance work requisitions.
- Log data, such as water levels and weather conditions.
- Prepare accident reports.
- Perform maintenance duties, such as sweeping, painting, and yard work to keep facilities clean and in order.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Operations Monitoring3.0/5
- Operation and Control3.0/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.0/5
- Coordination3.0/5
- Time Management2.9/5
- Service Orientation2.9/5
- Complex Problem Solving2.9/5
- Instructing2.8/5
Knowledge
- Public Safety and Security3.4/5
- English Language3.3/5
- Telecommunications3.0/5
- Education and Training2.9/5
- Transportation2.8/5
- Customer and Personal Service2.7/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma65%
- Post-secondary certificate20%
- Less than high school15%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.