Bridge and Lock Tenders Salary in Iowa (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Iowa 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
#7 of 23
50 employed here

How much do Bridge and Lock Tenders make in Iowa?

Bridge and Lock Tenders working in Iowa 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 Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $63,360 while the top 10% make $74,420 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $66,410 and $74,110 a year.

Bridge and Lock Tenders salary range in Iowa

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$63,360$30.46
25th percentile (early career)$66,410$31.93
50th percentile (median)$70,890$34.08
75th percentile (experienced)$74,110$35.63
90th percentile (top earners)$74,420$35.78

How Iowa compares

Iowa ranks 7th 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 Iowa

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 Iowa 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 Iowa?
The median Bridge and Lock Tenders salary in Iowa is $70,890 per year, or about $34.08 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $63,360 at the entry level to $74,420 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Bridge and Lock Tenders about 23% more than the national median of $57,700. Iowa ranks 7th out of 23 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Bridge and Lock Tenders?
Yes on pay — Iowa pays above the national median for this occupation, at $70,890 a year. About 50 Bridge and Lock Tenders are employed in Iowa. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Iowa?
The highest-paying occupations in Iowa include Emergency Medicine Physician ($429,050), Dermatologist ($424,970), Radiologist ($405,220), 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.