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Bridge and Lock Tenders in Massachusetts

Want to work as a Bridge and Lock Tenders in Massachusetts? Below are the key facts. 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 do Bridge and Lock Tenders Make in Massachusetts?

For a bridge and lock tenders working in Massachusetts, wages run about $53,310 per year (or roughly $25.63/hour).Annual wages span from $42,960 at the 10th percentile to $60,290 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic	Annual	Hourly
10th percentile	$42,960	$20.65
25th percentile	$47,210	$22.70
Median (50th)	$53,310	$25.63
75th percentile	$59,380	$28.55
90th percentile	$60,290	$28.98

Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Massachusetts relative to the national average — is 0.67, suggesting fewer bridge and lock tenders per worker than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, bridge and lock tenders earn a median of $43,399 per year ($20.86/hour), above the Massachusetts median.

Employment Outlook

There are roughly 155,646 bridge and lock tenders across the United States. In Massachusetts alone, about 40 people work in this role. That trails the typical state, which employs around 70 bridge and lock tenders.

Top Massachusetts Metros for Bridge and Lock Tenders

The metro areas below employ the most bridge and lock tenders in Massachusetts.

Metro Area	Number Employed	Annual Median Salary
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	50	$49,620

Top States for Bridge and Lock Tenders Employment

These states have the highest employment of bridge and lock tenders work.

State	Number Employed
Louisiana	350
Illinois	290
New York	220
Florida	180
Pennsylvania	120
Ohio	100
Wisconsin	100
Indiana	90
Kentucky	90
California	70
Texas	70
Minnesota	70
Michigan	60
Alabama	60
West Virginia	60
Iowa	60
Washington	50
Mississippi	50
Massachusetts	40
Tennessee	40

Highest-Paying States for Bridge and Lock Tenders

Where bridge and lock tenders earn the most: bridge and lock tenders.

State	Annual Median Salary
Washington	$75,920
Mississippi	$73,240
Minnesota	$72,960
Missouri	$72,700
Iowa	$70,140
Illinois	$69,530
Alabama	$68,000
Pennsylvania	$67,500
West Virginia	$65,460
Tennessee	$65,060

Skills

The most important bridge and lock tenders skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Knowledge Areas

Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Abilities

Top abilities for bridge and lock tenders, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Daily Tasks

Day-to-day, bridge and lock tenders typically:

• 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.
• Turn valves to increase or decrease water levels in locks.
• Check that bridges are clear of vehicles and pedestrians prior to opening.

Work Activities

• Controlling Machines and Processes
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Documenting/Recording Information
• Getting Information
• Training and Teaching Others
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Performing Administrative Activities
• Coaching and Developing Others

Tools & Technology

Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel

Related Careers

Other careers like bridge and lock tenders include:

• Security Guards
• Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
• Highway Maintenance Workers
• Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers
• Locksmiths and Safe Repairers
• Riggers

Also Known As

Bridge Crew Member, Bridge Leverman, Bridge Opener, Bridge Operator, Bridge Saw Operator, Bridge Tender, Bridgeman, Crossing Tender, Crossing Watchman, Dam Attendant, Dam Operator, Dam Repairer, Dam Tender, Draw Operator, Drawbridge Operator.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
• O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
• BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
• O*NET-SOC code: 53-6011.00