Dredge Operator Salary in Louisiana (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Dredge Operators in Louisiana, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Louisiana Median
$48,590
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.36
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-2% vs US median
US median $49,640
State Rank
#8 of 9
state estimate

How much does a Dredge Operator make in Louisiana?

Dredge Operators in Louisiana take home a median of $48,590 annually — roughly $23.36 an hour — which runs 2% below the national median of $49,640.

Within Louisiana, entry-level pay starts around $42,400 while the top 10% make $57,740 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $46,430 and $49,380 a year.

Dredge Operator salary range in Louisiana

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$42,400$20.38
25th percentile (early career)$46,430$22.32
50th percentile (median)$48,590$23.36
75th percentile (experienced)$49,380$23.74
90th percentile (top earners)$57,740$27.76

How Louisiana compares

Louisiana ranks 8th out of 9 states and territories for Dredge Operator pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Texas$65,580
2New Jersey$63,810
3Iowa$57,990
4Wisconsin$54,310
5Ohio$53,310

Working as a Dredge Operator in Louisiana

Nationally, about 1,000 people work as Dredge Operators in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Louisiana pay ($48,590) 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 does a Dredge Operator make in Louisiana?
The median Dredge Operator salary in Louisiana is $48,590 per year, or about $23.36 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $42,400 at the entry level to $57,740 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Louisiana pay compare to the national average?
Louisiana pays Dredge Operators about 2% less than the national median of $49,640. Louisiana ranks 8th out of 9 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Louisiana a good state for Dredge Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $48,590 a year. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Louisiana?
The highest-paying occupations in Louisiana include Pediatrician, General ($502,720), Anesthesiologist ($410,500), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($404,550), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Dredge Operator 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.