Bridge and Lock Tenders Salary in St. Louis, MO-IL
In St. Louis, MO-IL, bridge and lock tenders earn $74,090 at the median — $35.62 an hour. The range runs from $58K at the entry level to $77K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 95.09), that's roughly $77,916 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,218/month, or 25% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $74K get you in St. Louis?
About bridge and lock tenders
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, St. Louis, MO-IL
Entry-level bridge and lock tenders (10th percentile) start around $58K. Mid-career wages sit at $74K.Top earners bring in $77K or more - a $18K 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 St. Louis numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do bridge and lock tenders make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The median is $74,090 a year - that works out to about $35.62 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $58,390, and experienced bridge and lock tenders can clear $76,880. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $74K enough to live in St. Louis?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,814/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,218/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 25.3% 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 St. Louis?
St. Louis has a Regional Price Parity of 95.09 (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 $77,916 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.