How much does a Dredge Operator make?
The median pay for a Dredge Operator in the United States is $49,640 per year — about $23.87 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $41,080, while the most experienced Dredge Operators in the top 10% earn $74,140.
That is $11,750 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Dredge Operator salary range by percentile
Half of all Dredge Operators earn between $46,430 and $62,070 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,080 | $19.75 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $46,430 | $22.32 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $49,640 | $23.87 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $62,070 | $29.84 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,140 | $35.64 |
Highest-paying states for Dredge Operator
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Texas leads the country for Dredge Operator pay at $65,580 a year, followed by New Jersey ($63,810) and Iowa ($57,990). At the other end, Nebraska posts the lowest median at $45,290 — a gap of $20,290 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | $65,580 | $31.53 | +32% |
| 2 | New Jersey | $63,810 | $30.68 | +29% |
| 3 | Iowa | $57,990 | $27.88 | +17% |
| 4 | Wisconsin | $54,310 | $26.11 | +9% |
| 5 | Ohio | $53,310 | $25.63 | +7% |
Dredge Operator salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 9 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 1,000 people work as Dredge Operators in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $56,120 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
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Related salaries
Other transportation roles with similar pay.