What is a Dredge Operator?
Position Description Operate dredge to remove sand, gravel, or other materials in order to excavate and maintain navigable channels in waterways.
Daily Life Of a Dredge Operator
- Lower anchor poles to verify depths of excavations, using winches, or scan depth gauges to determine depths of excavations.
- Pump water to clear machinery pipelines.
- Move levers to position dredges for excavation, to engage hydraulic pumps, to raise and lower suction booms, and to control rotation of cutterheads.
- Direct or assist workers placing shore anchors and cables, laying additional pipes from dredges to shore, and pumping water from pontoons.
- Start and stop engines to operate equipment.
- Start power winches that draw in or let out cables to change positions of dredges, or pull in and let out cables manually.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Dredge Operator?
When polled, Dredge Operators say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
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.
Other Dredge Operator Job Titles
- Dredge Mate
- Dredge Hand
- Dredge Worker
- Leverman
- Dredge Engineer
Are There Job Opportunities for Dredge Operators?
There were about 1,800 jobs for Dredge Operator in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 5.6% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 100 new jobs for Dredge Operator by 2026. The BLS estimates 200 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Dredge Operator are Florida, South Carolina, and Missouri. Watch out if you plan on working in Tennessee, Ohio, or North Carolina. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of a Dredge Operator
The salary for Dredge Operators ranges between about $30,760 and $66,040 a year.
Dredge Operators who work in California, Indiana, or South Carolina, make the highest salaries.
How much do Dredge Operators make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| California | $62,270 |
| Florida | $46,050 |
| Indiana | $49,510 |
| Iowa | $42,600 |
| Louisiana | $46,670 |
| Maryland | $46,160 |
| Missouri | $47,750 |
| Nebraska | $34,410 |
| Ohio | $41,610 |
| Oklahoma | $40,300 |
| Pennsylvania | $41,980 |
| South Carolina | $53,800 |
| Texas | $44,120 |
What Tools do Dredge Operators Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Dredge Operators:
- Web browser software
- Data entry software
- Global positioning system GPS software
- Programmable logic controller PLC software
- Trimble HYDROpro
How to Become a Dredge Operator
What kind of Dredge Operator requirements are there?
What work experience do I need to become a Dredge Operator?
Who Employs Dredge Operators?
Below are examples of industries where Dredge Operators work:
Similar Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Dredge Operator might also be interested in the following careers:
Those who work as a Dredge Operator sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: Hic85 via Public Domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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