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Public Infrastructure & Transportation
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York City Department of Transportation, Washington State Department of Transportation
Bridge and Lock Tenders
Bridge and lock tenders control drawbridges, canal locks, and related signals so boats can pass safely while traffic, water levels, and machinery stay in sync. The job is unusual because it mixes hands-on equipment control with constant watching and radio communication, and the main tradeoff is simple: you need to stay alert every minute, but the work is tied to a fixed location and has a limited career ceiling.
Also known as Bridge TenderLock TenderDrawbridge OperatorDrawbridge TenderLock Operator
Median Salary
$58,490
Mean $56,520
U.S. Workforce
~3K
0.3K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+-3.3%
2.9K to 2.8K
Entry Education
High school diploma or equivalent
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Bridge and Lock Tenders sits in the Government category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~3K workers, with a median annual pay of $58,490 and roughly 0.3K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to decline from 2.9 K in 2024 to 2.8K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with High school diploma or equivalent, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Public Works Maintenance Worker and can progress toward Waterway Operations Supervisor. High-value skills usually include Monitoring, Operations Monitoring, and Operation and Control, paired with soft skills such as Active listening, Coordination, and Critical thinking.
Core Responsibilities
- Open and close bridge or lock equipment so boats and vehicles can take turns using the crossing.
- Guide boats through the area with signals, radios, or loudspeakers so they move into the right position safely.
- Track water levels, weather, and other conditions in a log during the shift.
- Operate traffic lights, navigation lights, and alarms when the bridge or lock needs to change state.
Keep exploring: more Government careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Open and close bridge or lock equipment so boats and vehicles can take turns using the crossing.
02 Guide boats through the area with signals, radios, or loudspeakers so they move into the right position safely.
03 Track water levels, weather, and other conditions in a log during the shift.
04 Operate traffic lights, navigation lights, and alarms when the bridge or lock needs to change state.
05 Watch approaching vessels, judge their size and speed, and line them up to use the available space efficiently.
06 Handle routine upkeep such as sweeping, painting, yard work, and accident paperwork.
Industries That Hire
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Maritime Ports
Port of Los Angeles, Port Houston, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
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Rail Transportation
CSX, Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern
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Water Utilities & Canals
American Water, Veolia North America, New York State Canal Corporation
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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You can enter the field with a high school diploma or equivalent, and 65% of workers do, so the barrier to entry is relatively low.
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The median pay is $58,490, which is decent for a job that does not require a college degree.
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The work is concrete and visible: you can see boats move through the lock or bridge opening as part of your shift.
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The role teaches practical skills like equipment control, radio communication, logging, and safety monitoring that transfer to other public works jobs.
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Work is usually local and stable once you are in place, which can appeal to people who want a predictable site-based routine.
Challenges
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Employment is projected to slip by 3.3% from 2.9K jobs in 2024 to 2.8K by 2034, so the occupation is shrinking rather than growing.
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There are only about 0.3K annual openings, which means opportunities can be limited and may depend on retirements or rare turnover.
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The job is physically and mentally demanding because you are responsible for moving machinery, water traffic, signals, and safety at the same time.
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Career growth is structurally limited because this is a small, specialized occupation with relatively few supervisory roles above it.
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Remote work is essentially not an option, and the job is tied to specific infrastructure sites that can be affected by weather, traffic, and seasonal operations.
Career Progression
Public Works Maintenance Worker
0-2 years
$38K-$47K
Learns site rules, does basic cleanup and upkeep, and helps more experienced staff keep the facility ready for operations.
Bridge and Lock Tender
2-6 years
$50K-$66K
Runs the bridge or lock during a shift, watches vessels and traffic, and keeps equipment moving safely and on schedule.
Senior Bridge and Lock Tender THIS ROLE
6-10 years
$67K-$78K
Handles busier or more complex sites, deals with unusual situations, and helps train newer operators.
Waterway Operations Supervisor
10+ years
$79K-$95K
Coordinates staffing, solves operational problems across multiple sites, and oversees compliance, safety, and maintenance priorities.
Education Paths
High school diploma or equivalent
This is the main entry path, used by 65% of workers in the occupation.
Post-secondary certificate
A smaller but real path, used by 20% of workers, often through training in marine operations, industrial maintenance, or a similar hands-on program.
Less than a high school diploma with employer training
About 15% of workers enter with less than a high school diploma and learn the systems through short-term on-the-job training.
Key Skills
Technical
Monitoring 56%
Operations Monitoring 50%
Operation and Control 50%
Bridge/Lock Control Panels and Interlocks 49%
Marine VHF Radio & Loudspeaker Systems 48%
Water Level, Weather & Incident Logging 47%
Traffic Signals, Navigation Lights & Alarm Systems 46%
Vessel Position Tracking 45%
Soft Skills
Active listeningCoordinationCritical thinkingJudgment and decision makingSpeaking clearlyAttention to detail Job Outlook and Trends
+-3.3%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
0.3K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 2.9K to 2.8 K over the next decade, representing -3.3% growth. Around 0.3 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.