What Do Bridge and Lock Tender Do?
Bridge & Lock Tender 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 operators, and slip bridge operators.
Bridge & Lock Tender Responsibilities
- Raise drawbridges and observe passage of water traffic or lower drawbridges and raise automobile gates.
- Prepare accident reports.
- Attach ropes or cable lines to bitts on lock decks or wharfs to secure vessels.
- Record names, types, and destinations of vessels passing through bridge openings or locks, and numbers of trains or vehicles crossing bridges.
- Clean and lubricate equipment, and make minor repairs and adjustments.
- Stop automobile and pedestrian traffic on bridges, and lower automobile gates prior to moving bridges.
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What a Bridge & Lock Tender Should Know
These are the skills Bridge and Lock Tenders say are the most useful in their careers:
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Types of Bridge and Lock Tender
- Bridge Saw Operator
- Lock Master
- Lock and Dam Repairer
- Drawbridge Operator
- Crossing Watchman
Is There Job Demand for Bridge and Lock Tenders?
There were about 3,700 jobs for Bridge and Lock Tender in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 2.7% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 100 new jobs for Bridge and Lock Tender by 2026. The BLS estimates 400 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Bridge & Lock Tender are Oregon, Kentucky, and Florida. Watch out if you plan on working in West Virginia, Washington, or Texas. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Bridge & Lock Tender Salary
The average yearly salary of a Bridge & Lock Tender ranges between $24,490 and $63,620.

Bridge and Lock Tenders who work in Minnesota, Illinois, or Iowa, make the highest salaries.
How much do Bridge and Lock Tenders make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Arkansas | $48,410 |
California | $51,520 |
Florida | $34,090 |
Illinois | $62,830 |
Indiana | $54,410 |
Iowa | $55,230 |
Kentucky | $51,470 |
Louisiana | $34,420 |
Maryland | $43,420 |
Massachusetts | $53,430 |
Michigan | $43,560 |
Minnesota | $59,860 |
Mississippi | $43,070 |
Missouri | $55,960 |
New Jersey | $49,880 |
New York | $48,250 |
Ohio | $50,890 |
Pennsylvania | $54,010 |
South Carolina | $46,580 |
Tennessee | $52,410 |
Texas | $35,330 |
West Virginia | $54,680 |
Wisconsin | $49,890 |
What Tools & Technology do Bridge and Lock Tenders Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Bridge and Lock Tenders may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Email software
- Word processing software
- Oracle PeopleSoft
- SAP software
- Virtual private networking VPN software
How do I Become a Bridge & Lock Tender?
Education needed to be a Bridge and Lock Tender:

What work experience do I need to become a Bridge & Lock Tender?

Where do Bridge and Lock Tenders Work?

Bridge and Lock Tenders work in the following industries:

References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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