Dredge Operators
SOC Code: 53-7031 Job Zone 2: Some Preparation Needed
Operate dredge to remove sand, gravel, or other materials in order to excavate and maintain navigable channels in waterways.
Advertisement
Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Dredge Operators. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $42,619 | $56,992 | $71,386 | $85,758 |
| Naples-Marco Island, FL | $42,619 | $56,992 | $71,386 | $85,758 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $42,619 | $56,992 | $71,386 | $85,758 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $42,619 | $56,992 | $71,386 | $85,758 |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | $42,619 | $56,992 | $71,386 | $85,758 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | $42,619 | $56,992 | $71,386 | $85,758 |
| Gainesville, FL | $42,619 | $56,992 | $71,386 | $85,758 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $42,619 | $56,992 | $71,386 | $85,758 |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | $42,619 | $56,992 | $71,386 | $85,758 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $42,619 | $56,992 | $71,386 | $85,758 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Operation and Control | 3.8 | |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.5 | |
| Coordination | 3.0 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.0 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.0 | |
| Speaking | 2.9 | |
| Troubleshooting | 2.9 | |
| Active Listening | 2.9 | |
| Monitoring | 2.9 | |
| Equipment Selection | 2.8 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Mechanical | 4.1 |
| English Language | 3.4 |
| Public Safety and Security | 3.2 |
| Administration and Management | 3.1 |
| Production and Processing | 2.9 |
| Mathematics | 2.8 |
| Education and Training | 2.6 |
| Physics | 2.5 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma | 80.0% |
| Some college | 8.6% |
| Less than high school | 7.2% |
| Post-secondary certificate | 4.3% |
Typical Tasks
- Move levers to position dredges for excavation, to engage hydraulic pumps, to raise and lower suction booms, and to control rotation of cutterheads.
- Start and stop engines to operate equipment.
- Start power winches that draw in or let out cables to change positions of dredges, or pull in and let out cables manually.
- Pump water to clear machinery pipelines.
- Lower anchor poles to verify depths of excavations, using winches, or scan depth gauges to determine depths of excavations.
- Direct or assist workers placing shore anchors and cables, laying additional pipes from dredges to shore, and pumping water from pontoons.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Global positioning system GPS software HYPACK DREDGEPACK Programmable logic controller PLC software Teledyne Odom Hydrographic ODOM eChart Trimble HYDROpro Web browser software
Calculate your wage level for Dredge Operators →
Advertisement
H-1B Guides & Resources
Looking for an H-1B immigration attorney?
Find experienced immigration lawyers in our attorney directory.