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Dredge Operators Salary
Dredge Operators earn a median $49,640 a year in the U.S., with 1,040 jobs (May 2025).
- Median wage
- $49,640 a year
- Employment
- 1,040
- Excludes self-employed
- Projected growth
- +0.7%
- 2025 to 2035
- Openings per year
- 100
- Average, including replacements
Pay range nationally
The middle half of workers earn between the 25th and 75th percentile (shaded)
- Median (50%)
- $49,640 · $23.86 an hour
- Mean (average)
- $56,120 · $26.98 an hour (estimate error ±3.5%)
- 10th percentile
- $41,080 · $19.75 an hour
- 25th percentile
- $46,430 · $22.32 an hour
- 75th percentile
- $62,070 · $29.84 an hour
- 90th percentile
- $74,140 · $35.65 an hour
- Employment
- 1,040 (estimate error ±20.1%)
What they do
Standard Occupational Classification definition
Operate dredge to remove sand, gravel, or other materials in order to excavate and maintain navigable channels in waterways.
Job outlook
BLS Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035
- Jobs in 2025
- 1,300
- Projected for 2035
- 1,300
- Change
- Little or no change
- Openings each year
- 100
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Self-employed
- 19.3%
Occupational Outlook Handbook (duties, how to become one, work environment)
Highest paying states
Median wage for this occupation
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States with the most jobs
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Metro areas with the most jobs
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| Metro area | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | 40 | $48,980 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | Not reported | $72,960 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | Not reported | $49,390 |
Dredge Operators pay by state
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Frequently asked questions
- How much do dredge operators make?
- The median wage for dredge operators in the U.S. is $49,640 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $46,430 and $62,070.
- Which state pays dredge operators the most?
- Texas has the highest median wage for this occupation at $65,580 a year.
- What is the job outlook for dredge operators?
- BLS projects employment to grow 0.7% from 2025 to 2035, with about 100 openings each year on average.
- What education do dredge operators need?
- The typical entry-level education is: high school diploma or equivalent.