Transportation and material moving
Bridge and lock tenders
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.
Median pay
$57,700
Growth to 2035
−2%
declining
Openings a year
300
Time to qualify*
1 month
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Bridge and lock tenders
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Hazardous conditions
Bridge and lock tenders: 20% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- 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.
Also called: Bridge Operator · Bridge Tender · Lock Tender
Outlook and AI
Bridge and lock tenders held 3,100 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 3,100 by 2035 (−2%, declining; all jobs: +3.5%).
Capital/labor substitution - share decreases as an increase in the automation and remote operation of locks and bridges will replace some of the tasks previously performed by bridge and lock tenders.
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