Dredge Operator Salary
Dredge Operators earn a median $49,640 a year nationally. Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
U.S. median
$49,640
$23.87 per hour
Range
$41,080 – $74,140
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
1,040
across the U.S.
Dredge Operator take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$42,066
per year · effective tax rate 15.3%
$3,505Monthly
$1,753Twice a month
$1,618Every 2 weeks
$20.22Hourly
- 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 | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $65,580 | $54,874 | $59,210 – $75,410 | — |
| New Jersey | $63,810 | $51,474 | $56,180 – $74,390 | 30 |
| Iowa | $57,990 | $47,223 | $56,060 – $69,580 | 60 |
| Wisconsin | $54,310 | $44,209 | $44,190 – $64,580 | — |
| Ohio | $53,310 | $44,331 | $44,160 – $60,370 | 40 |
| Florida | $52,800 | $44,605 | $39,930 – $62,310 | 40 |
| Alabama | $50,030 | $40,143 | $48,760 – $62,620 | 50 |
| Louisiana | $48,590 | $40,151 | $42,400 – $57,740 | — |
| Nebraska | $45,290 | $37,389 | $38,780 – $90,130 | 30 |
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.