Bridge and Lock Tenders Salary in Illinois (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Illinois Median
$70,890
per year
Hourly Rate
$34.08
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+23% vs US median
US median $57,700
State Rank
#6 of 23
290 employed here

How much do Bridge and Lock Tenders make in Illinois?

Bridge and Lock Tenders working in Illinois earn a median salary of $70,890 per year, or about $34.08 per hour. That is 23% above the national median of $57,700 for this occupation.

Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $55,190 while the top 10% make $86,390 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $64,640 and $74,110 a year.

Bridge and Lock Tenders salary range in Illinois

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$55,190$26.53
25th percentile (early career)$64,640$31.08
50th percentile (median)$70,890$34.08
75th percentile (experienced)$74,110$35.63
90th percentile (top earners)$86,390$41.53

How Illinois compares

Illinois ranks 6th 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 Illinois

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 Illinois pay ($70,890) 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 Illinois?
The median Bridge and Lock Tenders salary in Illinois is $70,890 per year, or about $34.08 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $55,190 at the entry level to $86,390 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Bridge and Lock Tenders about 23% more than the national median of $57,700. Illinois ranks 6th out of 23 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Bridge and Lock Tenders?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $70,890 a year. About 290 Bridge and Lock Tenders are employed in Illinois. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), 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.