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Salary comparison

Dredge Operators vs. Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand: Who Earns More?

Dredge Operatorss out-earn Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hands by $9K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Dredge Operatorss land at $49,640 and Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hands at $40,240. The education gap is real: dredge operator programs typically require no formal educational credential, while laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Dredge Operatorss is Texas ($65,580); for Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hands it's Minnesota ($46,280).

Dredge Operators
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
Median salary
$49,640
$40,240
Hourly rate
$23.86/hr
$19.35/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$41,080
$31,270
Senior level (90th %)
$74,140
$55,140
Education required
No formal educational credential
No formal educational credential
U.S. employment
1,040
2,950,280
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Transportation
Transportation
Top-paying state
Texas
Minnesota

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Dredge Operators median pay.

State
Dredge Operators
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
Texas
$65,580
$37,540
New Jersey
$63,810
$39,540
Iowa
$57,990
$43,490
Wisconsin
$54,310
$44,610
Ohio
$53,310
$39,460
Florida
$52,800
$38,160
Alabama
$50,030
$36,670
Louisiana
$48,590
$35,340
Nebraska
$45,290
$42,910

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Dredge Operatorss or Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hands?

Dredge Operatorss earn more nationally. The median is $49,640 for Dredge Operatorss versus $40,240 for Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hands, a difference of $9K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Dredge Operators or Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Dredge Operators or Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand?

Dredge Operators typically requires no formal educational credential. Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand requires no formal educational credential. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Dredge Operatorss get paid the most?

Texas is the top-paying state for Dredge Operatorss at $65,580/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Dredge Operators vs. Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Texas, Dredge Operatorss earn $65,580 vs. $37,540 for Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hands. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Dredge Operators salary breakdownView →Full Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand salary breakdownView →Best cities for Dredge Operatorss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hands by take-home payExplore →How to become a dredge operatorsGuide →How to become a laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, handGuide →