Bridge and Lock Tenders

Career Overview

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.

Also Known As

• Bridge Operator
• Bridge Tender
• Lock Tender

Alternate Job Titles

• 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

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

• 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.

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

• Near Vision
• Information Ordering
• Auditory Attention
• Far Vision
• Control Precision
• Selective Attention
• Oral Comprehension
• Perceptual Speed
• Speech Recognition
• Hearing Sensitivity

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

• Dependability
• Cautiousness
• Attention to Detail
• Integrity
• Self-Control

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

• Relationships
• Support
• Working Conditions
• Independence
• Achievement

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year

Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office software
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft Word
• Oracle PeopleSoft
• SAP software

Tools & Equipment

• Adjustable wrenches
• Balance weights
• Bitts
• Bridge traffic signals
• Cable lines
• Closed circuit television CCTV monitoring systems
• Desktop computers
• Electric drawbridges
• Fall protection equipment
• Gas detectors
• Gas powered generators
• Gas powered snow blowers
• Grease dispensing guns
• Hand trucks
• Hard hats

Work Environment

• Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
• Telephone Conversations
• Contact With Others
• Consequence of Error
• Freedom to Make Decisions

Salary & Job Market

Salary Percentile	Annual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)	$32,690
Median	$58,490
Top Earners (90th percentile)	$74,400

Workers Employed Nationally: 2,720

Related Careers

If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:

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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.