Skip to main content

Occupational Employment Statistics


DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA

53-6011 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.

Geography Click link for Career Profile EmploymentEmp SE*Percentiles
Mean10th25thMedian75th90th
Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN 207$31.49/hr$17.74/hr$32.53/hr$33.79/hr$35.19/hr$35.19/hr


IndustryOES Employment (Statewide)OES Median Wage (Statewide)
Trade, Transportation and UtilitiesN/AN/A
Public Administration70$33.69/hr
 
Geography Click link for details EmploymentMedian WageProjections
% Change 2020-2030
Southwest Minnesota N/AN/AN/A
Duluth MN-WI MSA N/AN/AN/A
La Crosse WI-MN MSA N/AN/AN/A
Northwest Balance of State N/AN/AN/A
Southeast Balance of State N/AN/AN/A
Central Minnesota N/AN/AN/A
Northeast Minnesota N/AN/AN/A
Northwest Minnesota N/AN/AN/A
Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN 20$33.79/hr0.0%
Minneapolis-St Paul-Bloomington MN-WI MSA 20$33.79/hrN/A
Southeast Minnesota 40$33.69/hr-2.0%
Minnesota 80$32.61/hr0.0%


Occupations Click link for details EmploymentMedian WageProjections
% Change 2020-2030
Meter Readers, Utilities 250$24.76/hr-14.7%
Locomotive Engineers 740$37.80/hr-1.9%
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers N/AN/AN/A


  • Inspect canal and bridge equipment, and areas, such as roadbeds, for damage or defects, reporting problems to supervisors as necessary.
  • Clean and lubricate equipment, and make minor repairs and adjustments.
  • Perform maintenance duties, such as sweeping, painting, and yard work to keep facilities clean and in order.
  • Maintain and guard stations in bridges to check waterways for boat traffic.
  • Direct movements of vessels in locks or bridge areas, using signals, telecommunication equipment, or loudspeakers.
  • Log data, such as water levels and weather conditions.
  • Turn valves to increase or decrease water levels in locks.
  • 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.
  • Turn valves to increase or decrease water levels in locks.