Bridge and Lock Tenders Salary in California (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Bridge and Lock Tenders in California, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$72,390
per year
Hourly Rate
$34.80
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+25% vs US median
US median $57,700
State Rank
#5 of 23
80 employed here

How much do Bridge and Lock Tenders make in California?

Bridge and Lock Tenders working in California earn a median salary of $72,390 per year, or about $34.80 per hour. That is 25% above the national median of $57,700 for this occupation.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $48,440 while the top 10% make $86,960 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $52,800 and $79,150 a year.

Bridge and Lock Tenders salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$48,440$23.29
25th percentile (early career)$52,800$25.38
50th percentile (median)$72,390$34.80
75th percentile (experienced)$79,150$38.05
90th percentile (top earners)$86,960$41.81

How California compares

California ranks 5th out of 23 states and territories for Bridge and Lock Tenders pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Washington$78,020
2Mississippi$74,730
3Minnesota$74,420
4Missouri$74,110
5California$72,390

Working as Bridge and Lock Tenders in California

Nationally, about 3,000 people work as Bridge and Lock Tenders in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare California pay ($72,390) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Bridge and Lock Tenders make in California?
The median Bridge and Lock Tenders salary in California is $72,390 per year, or about $34.80 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $48,440 at the entry level to $86,960 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Bridge and Lock Tenders about 25% more than the national median of $57,700. California ranks 5th out of 23 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Bridge and Lock Tenders?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $72,390 a year. About 80 Bridge and Lock Tenders are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Bridge and Lock Tenders salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.