Bridge and Lock Tenders Salary in Baton Rouge, LA
In Baton Rouge, LA, bridge and lock tenders earn $64,730 at the median — $31.12 an hour. The range runs from $28K at the entry level to $77K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 90.78), which stretches that salary to about $71,304 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,204/month, or 28.3% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $65K get you in Baton Rouge?
About bridge and lock tenders
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Baton Rouge, LA
Entry-level bridge and lock tenders (10th percentile) start around $28K. Mid-career wages sit at $65K.Top earners bring in $77K or more - a $49K spread from bottom to top.
Bridge and Lock Tenders pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $76K | +30% | 50 |
| Mississippi | $73K | +25% | 50 |
| Minnesota | $73K | +25% | 70 |
| Missouri | $73K | +24% | 40 |
| Iowa | $70K | +20% | 60 |
| Illinois | $70K | +19% | 290 |
| Alabama | $68K | +16% | 60 |
| Pennsylvania | $68K | +15% | 120 |
| West Virginia | $65K | +12% | 60 |
| Tennessee | $65K | +11% | 40 |
| Kentucky | $61K | +4% | 90 |
| Texas | $59K | +1% | 70 |
| California | $58K | -1% | 70 |
| Michigan | $56K | -4% | 60 |
| Ohio | $56K | -4% | 100 |
Track bridge and lock tenders salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Baton Rouge numbers change.
Related careers in Transportation
Frequently asked questions
How much do bridge and lock tenders make in Baton Rouge, LA?
The median is $64,730 a year - that works out to about $31.12 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $27,720, and experienced bridge and lock tenders can clear $76,650. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $65K enough to live in Baton Rouge?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,313/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,204/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 27.9% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a bridge and lock tenders salary go in Baton Rouge?
Baton Rouge has a Regional Price Parity of 90.78 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median bridge and lock tenders salary is worth about $71,304 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do bridge and lock tenders get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.