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Dredge Operators in Iowa
Thinking about a career as a Dredge Operators in Iowa? Here’s what the data says. Operate dredge to remove sand, gravel, or other materials in order to excavate and maintain navigable channels in waterways.
What do Dredge Operators Make in Iowa?
For a dredge operators working in Iowa, wages run about $60,400 per year (or about $29.04/hour).Pay can range from $59,880 at the 10th percentile to $70,040 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $59,880 | $28.79 |
| 25th percentile | $60,230 | $28.96 |
| Median (50th) | $60,400 | $29.04 |
| 75th percentile | $63,040 | $30.31 |
| 90th percentile | $70,040 | $33.68 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Iowa relative to the national average — is 5.94, suggesting that dredge operators are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, dredge operators earn a median of $55,307 per year ($26.59/hour), exceeding the Iowa median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 835,620 dredge operators in the U.S.. In Iowa alone, about 60 people work in this role. That matches the typical state median of 60.
Top States for Dredge Operators Employment
These states have the highest employment of dredge operators work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Alabama | 110 |
| New Jersey | 80 |
| North Carolina | 80 |
| Iowa | 60 |
| Ohio | 50 |
| Florida | 50 |
| Indiana | 40 |
| Nebraska | 30 |
Highest-Paying States for Dredge Operators
These states pay the most for dredge operators.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | $70,400 |
| Iowa | $60,400 |
| Indiana | $55,470 |
| Florida | $52,640 |
| Ohio | $51,210 |
| Alabama | $51,110 |
| Louisiana | $47,360 |
| North Carolina | $46,650 |
| Nebraska | $43,320 |
Skills
Top dredge operators 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
The abilities that matter most for dredge operators, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- Move levers to position dredges for excavation, to engage hydraulic pumps, to raise and lower suction booms, and to control rotation of cutterheads.
- 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.
- Pump water to clear machinery pipelines.
- Lower anchor poles to verify depths of excavations, using winches, or scan depth gauges to determine depths of excavations.
- Direct or assist workers placing shore anchors and cables, laying additional pipes from dredges to shore, and pumping water from pontoons.
Work Activities
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Getting Information
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include:
- Global positioning system GPS software (mobile location based services software)
- HYPACK DREDGEPACK (industrial control software)
- Programmable logic controller PLC software (industrial control software)
- Teledyne Odom Hydrographic ODOM eChart (data base user interface and query software)
- Trimble HYDROpro (map creation software)
- Web browser software (internet browser software)
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Related college programs include:
Related Careers
Related occupations to dredge operators include:
- Construction Laborers
- Pile Driver Operators
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
- Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas
- Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas
- Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas
Also Known As
Dredge Boat Engineer, Dredge Deckhand, Dredge Engineer, Dredge Hand, Dredge Lever Operator, Dredge Mate, Dredge Operator, Dredge Worker, Dredgemaster, Dredger, Hydraulic Leverman.
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: 53-7031.00