Bridge and Lock Tenders Salary in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
In New Orleans-Metairie, LA, bridge and lock tenders earn $68,430 at the median — $32.9 an hour. The range runs from $30K at the entry level to $77K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.6), which stretches that salary to about $73,898 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,331/month, or 29.6% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $68K get you in New Orleans-Metairie?
About bridge and lock tenders
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, New Orleans-Metairie, LA
Entry-level bridge and lock tenders (10th percentile) start around $30K. Mid-career wages sit at $68K.Top earners bring in $77K or more - a $46K 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 New Orleans-Metairie numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do bridge and lock tenders make in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The median is $68,430 a year - that works out to about $32.9 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $30,370, and experienced bridge and lock tenders can clear $76,650. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $68K enough to live in New Orleans-Metairie?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,517/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,331/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 29.5% 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 New Orleans-Metairie?
New Orleans-Metairie 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 $73,898 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.