How much does a dredge operator make?
The median dredge operator in the United States earns $48,430 per year, about $23.28 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all dredge operators earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 53-7031.
Dredge operator salary range
Pay for dredge operators spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $42,060 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $75,050. The average (mean) wage of $55,820 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $42,060 | $20.22 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $46,120 | $22.17 | |
| Median (50th) | $48,430 | $23.28 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $60,300 | $28.99 | |
| 90th percentile | $75,050 | $36.08 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for dredge operators (SOC 53-7031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Dredge operator salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Dredge operators earn the most in New Jersey at $70,400 a year, and the least in Nebraska at $43,320. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $70,400 | 80 |
| Iowa | $60,400 | 60 |
| Indiana | $55,470 | 40 |
| Florida | $52,640 | 50 |
| Ohio | $51,210 | 50 |
| Alabama | $51,110 | 110 |
| Louisiana | $47,360 | N/A |
| North Carolina | $46,650 | 80 |
| Nebraska | $43,320 | 30 |
State median wages for dredge operators (SOC 53-7031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for dredge operators
The BLS projects employment of dredge operators to hold roughly steady from 2025 to 2035. That is little or no change, compared with 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 1,300 jobs in 2025 moving toward 1,300 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 100 openings a year for dredge operators. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a dredge operator
The typical entry-level education for dredge operators is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a dredge operator earns
Route type, employer, endorsements, and hours behind the wheel drive pay. Long-haul, specialized freight, and union employers tend to sit at the top of the range, while local and entry-level roles start lower.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (New Jersey, $70,400) and the lowest (Nebraska, $43,320) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 1,030 people work as dredge operators in the United States. At $48,430 a year, the job pays below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Dredge operator salary FAQ
How much does a dredge operator make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a dredge operator is $23.28. The middle half of dredge operators earn between $22.17 and $28.99 per hour.
What is the highest dredge operator salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of dredge operators earn more than $75,050 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a dredge operator make a year?
The median annual salary for a dredge operator is $48,430. The average (mean) wage of $55,820 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a dredge operator a well paid job?
At $48,430 a year, a dredge operator earns below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 1,030 people work as dredge operators in the United States.
Which state pays dredge operators the most?
New Jersey has the highest median salary for dredge operators at $70,400 a year. Iowa ($60,400) and Indiana ($55,470) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a dredge operator a good career?
Employment of dredge operators is projected to hold roughly steady 0.7% from 2025 to 2035, little or no change, compared with 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 100 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a dredge operator?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for dredge operators as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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