Bridge and Lock Tenders
SOC Code: 53-6011 Job Zone 2: Some Preparation Needed
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.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Bridge and Lock Tenders. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $57,470 | $67,371 | $77,272 | $87,173 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $57,470 | $67,371 | $77,272 | $87,173 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $57,470 | $67,371 | $77,272 | $87,173 |
| Northern Indiana nonmetropolitan area | $57,470 | $67,371 | $77,272 | $87,173 |
| Kankakee, IL | $57,720 | $66,997 | $76,274 | $85,550 |
| Rockford, IL | $57,678 | $66,352 | $75,026 | $83,699 |
| Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area | $58,469 | $65,770 | $73,050 | $80,350 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $59,155 | $65,957 | $72,758 | $79,560 |
| Decatur, IL | $59,155 | $65,957 | $72,758 | $79,560 |
| West Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area | $59,155 | $65,957 | $72,758 | $79,560 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Monitoring | 3.2 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.0 | |
| Operation and Control | 3.0 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.0 | |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.0 | |
| Speaking | 3.0 | |
| Coordination | 3.0 | |
| Active Listening | 3.0 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 2.9 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 2.9 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Public Safety and Security | 3.4 |
| English Language | 3.3 |
| Telecommunications | 3.0 |
| Education and Training | 2.9 |
| Transportation | 2.8 |
| Customer and Personal Service | 2.7 |
| Administrative | 2.6 |
| Mechanical | 2.5 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma | 65.0% |
| Some college | 20.0% |
| Less than high school | 15.0% |
Typical Tasks
- Move levers to activate traffic signals, navigation lights, and alarms.
- Record names, types, and destinations of vessels passing through bridge openings or locks, and numbers of trains or vehicles crossing bridges.
- 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.
- Prepare accident reports.
- Observe approaching vessels to determine size and speed, and listen for whistle signals indicating desire to pass.
- Observe position and progress of vessels to ensure best use of lock spaces or bridge opening spaces.
- Log data, such as water levels and weather conditions.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft Word Oracle PeopleSoft SAP software Email software Virtual private networking VPN software Word processing software
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