Dredge Operator Salary
Dredge Operators earn a median $49,640 a year nationally. Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
What dredge operators do
Operate dredge to remove sand, gravel, or other materials in order to excavate and maintain navigable channels in waterways.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +0.7% (slower than average)
- Openings per year
- 100
- Self-employed
- 19%
Employment of dredge operators is projected to grow 0.7% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 100 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Dredge Operator take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,777
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,078
- Medicare (1.45%)$720
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$42,066
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,080 | $19.75 | $35,188 |
| 25th percentile | $46,430 | $22.32 | $39,487 |
| Median (50th) | $49,640 | $23.87 | $42,066 |
| 75th percentile | $62,070 | $29.84 | $52,053 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,140 | $35.64 | $60,987 |
Dredge Operator salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $65,580 | — | $54,874 | $59,210 – $75,410 | — |
| New Jersey | $63,810 | −9.4% | $51,474 | $56,180 – $74,390 | 30 |
| Iowa | $57,990 | −4.0% | $47,223 | $56,060 – $69,580 | 60 |
| Wisconsin | $54,310 | — | $44,209 | $44,190 – $64,580 | — |
| Ohio | $53,310 | +4.1% | $44,331 | $44,160 – $60,370 | 40 |
| Florida | $52,800 | +0.3% | $44,605 | $39,930 – $62,310 | 40 |
| Alabama | $50,030 | −2.1% | $40,143 | $48,760 – $62,620 | 50 |
| Louisiana | $48,590 | +2.6% | $40,151 | $42,400 – $57,740 | — |
| Nebraska | $45,290 | +4.5% | $37,389 | $38,780 – $90,130 | 30 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector | $49,690 | No formal educational credential | +2.1% |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator | $46,420 | No formal educational credential | +1.5% |
| Hoist and Winch Operator | $56,450 | No formal educational credential | +0.2% |
| Conveyor Operator and Tender | $42,420 | No formal educational credential | -2.6% |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $41,800 | No formal educational credential | +2.7% |
| Machine Feeder and Offbearer | $41,220 | No formal educational credential | -13.1% |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $58,870 | No formal educational credential | +2.8% |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,240 | No formal educational credential | +1.8% |
| Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | $61,770 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.3% |
| Stocker and Order Filler | $37,330 | No formal educational credential | +8.9% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dredge operator make?
The national median salary for dredge operators is $49,640 a year ($23.87 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $41,080 and the top 10% earn over $74,140. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays dredge operators the most?
Texas has the highest median pay at $65,580.
How many dredge operators are there in the U.S.?
About 1,040 people work as dredge operators nationwide.