Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Short-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Bridge and lock tenders operate in a small, specialized occupation with limited positions nationwide. With national employment of about 3,000, this field offers opportunities for individuals who prefer focused, hands-on work that combines mechanical awareness, attention to detail, and interaction with others. The national median annual salary of $58,490 indicates that these roles can provide solid earnings for workers who meet the requirements and can secure positions. While projected employment growth is -3.3%, existing jobs still need to be filled over time as workers retire or change careers. The role benefits from a blend of mechanical and computer-related skills, along with customer service, communication, and problem-solving abilities. For people interested in related paths, similar occupations include motion picture projectionists, mail clerks and mail machine operators (except postal service), couriers and messengers, material moving workers (all other), and food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders.
Bridge and lock tenders have a national median annual salary of $58,490, indicating a stable earning level for a role that typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Earnings can vary significantly by location. Among the highlighted states, Washington reports a median salary of $78,020 and California $72,390, both notably higher than the national median. In contrast, Virginia’s median salary of $47,120 and New York’s $51,560 fall below the national figure, showing the importance of geographic choice for income. At the metro level, St. Louis, MO-IL has a median salary of $74,480, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is at $73,110, and Pittsburgh, PA at $68,810, all above the national median. Meanwhile, Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI shows a lower median of $35,000, underscoring that local market conditions can significantly influence pay for this occupation.
This occupation is relatively small, with national employment of about 3,000 bridge and lock tenders. Projected employment growth is -3.3%, suggesting a modest decline in total positions over the projection period. Reported annual openings are 0, which indicates that new opportunities may be limited and competition for available roles could be strong. Even with a negative growth rate, some turnover will occur as workers retire, relocate, or change careers, but the data does not specify how many such openings may arise each year. The same -3.3% projected growth appears across the listed states and metro areas, so the outlook is consistently constrained nationwide rather than varying widely by region. Individuals considering this path should be prepared for a relatively static job market and may want to keep similar occupations, such as couriers and messengers or material moving workers (all other), in mind as alternatives.
Location plays a major role in pay and opportunity for bridge and lock tenders. Among states, California stands out with a median salary of $72,390 and an opportunity score of 67.38, the highest among the listed states, with employment of 80. Massachusetts and New York also show relatively strong opportunity scores (65.87 and 65.78) but lower median salaries of $55,830 and $51,560, respectively. Washington combines higher pay, with a $78,020 median salary, and a moderate opportunity score of 56.29, while Virginia offers a lower median salary of $47,120 and an opportunity score of 54.96. At the metro level, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ has the highest opportunity score at 77.27, with a median salary of $54,720 and employment of 120. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN and St. Louis, MO-IL offer higher median salaries ($73,110 and $74,480) but lower opportunity scores than New York, reflecting tradeoffs between pay and overall measured opportunity in different regions.
Bridge and lock tenders typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, making this occupation accessible to individuals who do not plan to pursue a four-year college degree. However, success in the role depends heavily on a well-rounded skill set. Detail orientation and fine motor skills support precise, careful work. Mechanical skills and physical strength and stamina are important for handling equipment and physically demanding aspects of the job. Computers and information technology skills reflect the use of modern systems, while customer service, speaking and listening, and interpersonal skills are important for interacting effectively with others. Problem solving and decision making, along with science knowledge, round out the core profile, indicating a need for both practical and analytical thinking. People who build these abilities, even through non-degree pathways, can be better prepared for opportunities as bridge and lock tenders or in similar occupations.
Use CareerGPS Pro to compare markets, understand the tradeoffs, and focus on the places with the strongest potential.
