Bridge and Lock Tenders Salary in Illinois
In Illinois, bridge and lock tenders earn $69,530 at the median — $33.43 an hour. The range runs from $57K at the entry level to $85K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $70K get you in Illinois?
About bridge and lock tenders
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Illinois
Entry-level bridge and lock tenders (10th percentile) start around $57K. Mid-career wages sit at $70K.Top earners bring in $85K or more - a $28K 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 Illinois numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do bridge and lock tenders make in Illinois?
The median is $69,530 a year - that works out to about $33.43 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $56,890, and experienced bridge and lock tenders can clear $84,860. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $70K enough to live in Illinois?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,488/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $1,203/month (median of metro areas), which eats 26.8% 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 Illinois?
Illinois has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median bridge and lock tenders salary is worth about $69,530 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.