Bridge and Lock Tenders Salary
In Washington, bridge and lock tenders earn $78,020 at the median, or about $37.51 an hour. The range runs from $70K at the entry level to $84K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $76,483 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,830/month, about 33.8% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of Washington. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $78K get you in Washington?
About bridge and lock tenders
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What this looks like in Washington
Washington sits well above the national pay line for bridge and lock tenders, local pay runs about 35% higher than the U.S. median of $58K. Rent runs $1,830/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 34.7% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level bridge and lock tenders (10th percentile) start around $70K. Mid-career wages sit at $78K. Top earners bring in $84K 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 Washington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a bridge and lock tender afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $78K, rent takes 34.7% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,600/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for bridge and lock tenders in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new bridge and lock tenders typically earn — is $70K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,216/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 43% 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 Washington?
Local pay is 35% above the national median — $78K here vs. $58K nationally.
How does Washington compare to the national average for bridge and lock tenders?
Washington pays $78K median vs. the U.S. average of $58K — that’s +35%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $76K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do bridge and lock tenders make in Washington?
The median is $78,020 a year, that works out to about $38 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $70,260, and experienced bridge and lock tenders can clear $83,930. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $78K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,273/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 34.7% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a bridge and lock tenders salary go in Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median bridge and lock tenders salary is worth about $76,483 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.