Top 10 cities for bridge and lock tenders by average salary
| Chicago, IL | $76,220 |
|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO | $73,220 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $68,350 |
| Davenport, IA | $67,900 |
| Lafayette, LA | $66,710 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $63,860 |
| New York, NY | $55,490 |
| New Orleans, LA | $51,140 |
| Cleveland, OH | $45,060 |
| Detroit, MI | $38,090 |
Map: Bridge and Lock Tenders salary by metro area
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Bridge and Lock Tenders salary by state
Washington pays bridge and lock tenders the most statewide, $76,240 a year on average. Statewide columns cover every employer in the state; city columns cover the metro areas we publish.
| State | Statewide average | Statewide median | Jobs | Metros | Highest city average | Lowest city average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $76,240 | $78,020 | 50 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Minnesota | $72,570 | $74,420 | 60 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Illinois | $71,700 | $70,890 | 290 | 1 | $76,220 | $76,220 |
| Missouri | $70,970 | $74,110 | 40 | 1 | $73,220 | $73,220 |
| Iowa | $69,410 | $70,890 | 50 | 1 | $67,900 | $67,900 |
| Pennsylvania | $68,520 | $68,810 | 110 | 1 | $68,350 | $68,350 |
| California | $68,070 | $72,390 | 80 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| West Virginia | $66,610 | $65,460 | 60 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Alabama | $65,360 | $66,830 | 70 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Mississippi | $64,030 | $74,730 | 50 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Wisconsin | $58,760 | $57,350 | 110 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Indiana | $58,740 | $60,780 | 60 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Tennessee | $58,520 | $60,420 | 60 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Kentucky | $58,200 | $58,220 | 100 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Massachusetts | $57,130 | $55,830 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Ohio | $56,770 | $58,410 | 110 | 1 | $45,060 | $45,060 |
| Virginia | $53,000 | $47,120 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Texas | $52,890 | $45,820 | 70 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Louisiana | $50,700 | $39,090 | 370 | 3 | $66,710 | $51,140 |
| New York | $49,980 | $51,560 | 210 | 1 | $55,490 | $55,490 |
| Michigan | $48,540 | $50,540 | 130 | 1 | $38,090 | $38,090 |
| North Carolina | $41,080 | $41,380 | 50 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Florida | $34,680 | $28,090 | 470 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
Bridge and Lock Tenders salary in every city we cover
Sort by any column. Each city links to its pay range, take-home pay and cost of living.
| Metro area | Average | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | $76,220 | $73,110 | $36.64 | 120 |
| St. Louis, MO | $73,220 | $74,480 | $35.20 | 30 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $68,350 | $68,810 | $32.86 | 110 |
| Davenport, IA | $67,900 | $70,890 | $32.65 | 50 |
| Lafayette, LA | $66,710 | $75,340 | $32.07 | 30 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $63,860 | $69,970 | $30.70 | 40 |
| New York, NY | $55,490 | $54,720 | $26.68 | 120 |
| New Orleans, LA | $51,140 | $39,110 | $24.59 | 90 |
| Cleveland, OH | $45,060 | $44,500 | $21.67 | 40 |
| Detroit, MI | $38,090 | $35,000 | $18.31 | 50 |
Related jobs
- Parking AttendantsU.S. average $34,990
- Automotive and Watercraft Service AttendantsU.S. average $36,780
- Aircraft Service AttendantsU.S. average $43,330
- Traffic TechniciansU.S. average $62,050
- Transportation InspectorsU.S. average $88,540
- Passenger AttendantsU.S. average $37,820
- Transportation Workers, All OtherU.S. average $50,890
Bridge and Lock Tenders salary: questions
Where do bridge and lock tenders make the most money?
In Chicago, IL, with an average of $76,220 a year, among the 10 metro areas we cover.
What is the average bridge and lock tenders salary in the U.S.?
$55,370 a year nationwide (BLS OEWS national estimates, May 2025); the median is $57,700, so half of bridge and lock tenders earn more than that and half less.
What salary should bridge and lock tenders ask for?
Start from the figures for your city: the middle half of bridge and lock tenders nationwide earn between $38,640 (25th percentile) and $69,620 (75th percentile). Newer workers usually start near the 25th percentile and experienced ones can ask for the 75th; each city page shows the local range. See how to read salary percentiles.
Which state pays bridge and lock tenders the most?
Washington, with a statewide average of $76,240 a year (BLS state estimates, May 2025).
Where is bridge and lock tenders pay the lowest?
Detroit, MI, at $38,090 a year on average. Lower pay often comes with lower prices: check the cost of living on each city page.
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 53-6011.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.