Bridge and Lock Tenders Salary
In Minnesota, bridge and lock tenders earn $74,420 at the median, or about $35.78 an hour. The range runs from $64K at the entry level to $78K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.6), which stretches that salary to about $80,367 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,384/month, or 28.5% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of Minnesota. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $74K get you in Minnesota?
About bridge and lock tenders
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What this looks like in Minnesota
Minnesota sits well above the national pay line for bridge and lock tenders, local pay runs about 29% higher than the U.S. median of $58K. Rent runs $1,384/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 29.1% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 92.6 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 7% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Minnesota
Entry-level bridge and lock tenders (10th percentile) start around $64K. Mid-career wages sit at $74K. Top earners bring in $78K or more, a $14K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track bridge and lock tenders salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Minnesota numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a bridge and lock tender afford a 2BR apartment alone in Minnesota?
Yes — at the median salary of $74K, rent takes 29.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,384/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for bridge and lock tenders in Minnesota?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new bridge and lock tenders typically earn — is $64K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,829/month. At HUD’s $1,384/month FMR, rent would take 36% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is bridge and lock tender a high-paying job in Minnesota?
Local pay is 29% above the national median — $74K here vs. $58K nationally.
How does Minnesota compare to the national average for bridge and lock tenders?
Minnesota pays $74K median vs. the U.S. average of $58K — that’s +29%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 92.6), the purchasing-power equivalent is $80K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do bridge and lock tenders make in Minnesota?
The median is $74,420 a year, that works out to about $36 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $63,810, and experienced bridge and lock tenders can clear $77,710. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $74K enough to live in Minnesota?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,759/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,384/month, which eats 29.1% 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 Minnesota?
Minnesota has a Regional Price Parity of 92.6 (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 $80,367 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.