SOC 53-6011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Bridge and Lock Tenders — North Carolina
North Carolina
At $41,380, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Bridge and Lock Tenders, 28.3% beneath the national figure of $57,700.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $41,380, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Bridge and Lock Tenders, 28.3% beneath the national figure of $57,700. Pay ranges from under $34,230 at the tenth percentile to more than $45,860 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $34,230 to $44,550.
The area has 50 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.49 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. North Carolina ranks number 21st out of 23 states by median pay for this occupation. Of the 745 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 595th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,230 | −40.7% |
| 25th | $34,230 | −40.7% |
| Median (50th) | $41,380 | −28.3% |
| 75th | $44,550 | −22.8% |
| 90th | $45,860 | −20.5% |
| Mean | $41,080 | −28.8% |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in North Carolina run 5.7% below the national average, so the median of $41,380 goes as far as $43,881 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 23.9% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$41,380as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$43,881US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $41,380 a year, 28.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $34,230 to $45,860 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 50 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 21st of 23 states for this occupation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Bridge and Lock Tenders in North Carolina?
The median annual wage is $41,380, or $19.90 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $57,700, so pay in North Carolina is 28.3% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in North Carolina earns more than $45,860 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $34,230 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 50 jobs in this occupation in North Carolina. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
Explore related data