Bridge and lock tenders
SOC Code: 53-6011
Bridge and lock tenders carries a 42% AI exposure score (High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $58,490 and -3.3% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 2,900 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Bridge and lock tenders (SOC 53-6011) carries an AI exposure score of 42%, placing it in the High automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score in the 40–70% range indicates meaningful automation pressure on specific task categories, but the role as a whole still requires human judgment for coordination, exception handling, or client interaction.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 2,900 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a -3.3% change through 2034 — a decline that often compounds with high AI exposure to create displacement headwinds. Median annual compensation stands at $58,490, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires High school diploma or equivalent, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Bridge and lock tenders. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Turn valves to increase or decrease water levels in locks.
- 2. Check that bridges are clear of vehicles and pedestrians prior to opening.
- 3. Control machinery to open and close canal locks and dams, railroad or highway drawbridges, or horizontally or vertically adjustable bridges.
- 4. Direct movements of vessels in locks or bridge areas, using signals, telecommunication equipment, or loudspeakers.
- 5. Observe position and progress of vessels to ensure best use of lock spaces or bridge opening spaces.
- 6. Stop automobile and pedestrian traffic on bridges, and lower automobile gates prior to moving bridges.
- 7. Raise drawbridges and observe passage of water traffic or lower drawbridges and raise automobile gates.
- 8. Maintain and guard stations in bridges to check waterways for boat traffic.
- 9. Record names, types, and destinations of vessels passing through bridge openings or locks, and numbers of trains or vehicles crossing bridges.
- 10. Observe approaching vessels to determine size and speed, and listen for whistle signals indicating desire to pass.
Key Skills Required
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Coordination
- Operations Monitoring
- Operation and Control
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
Knowledge Areas
- Public Safety and Security
- English Language
- Telecommunications
- Education and Training
- Transportation
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administrative
- Administration and Management
- Mechanical
- Computers and Electronics
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Bridge and lock tenders?
Bridge and lock tenders has an AI exposure score of 42%, indicating a high level of automation risk. Some tasks in this role can be augmented or partially automated by AI, but core responsibilities require human judgment.
What is the job outlook for Bridge and lock tenders?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Bridge and lock tenders is projected to decline by 3.3% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 2,900 workers.
What skills are needed for Bridge and lock tenders?
Key skills for Bridge and lock tenders include Monitoring, Active Listening, Speaking, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Bridge and lock tenders earn?
The median annual wage for Bridge and lock tenders is $58,490, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Bridge and lock tenders?
The typical entry-level education for Bridge and lock tenders is High school diploma or equivalent. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Short-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Bridge and lock tenders?
Bridge and lock tenders roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
High automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. A moderate share of tasks may be augmented by AI tools.
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).