Dredge Operators Salary
The median pay for a dredge operators in Texas is $65,580/year ($31.53/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $59K at the entry level to $75K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.49), which stretches that salary to about $71,680 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,415/month, about 31.1% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Texas. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $66K get you in Texas?
About dredge operators
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What this looks like in Texas
Texas sits well above the national pay line for dredge operators, local pay runs about 32% higher than the U.S. median of $50K. Rent runs $1,415/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 31.1% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 91.49 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 9% 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, Texas
Entry-level dredge operators (10th percentile) start around $59K. Mid-career wages sit at $66K. Top earners bring in $75K or more, a $16K spread from bottom to top.
Dredge Operators salary by metro in Texas
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | $73K | +11% | N/A |
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Track dredge operators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Texas numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a dredge operator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Texas?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $66K, rent takes 31.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,415/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,400/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for dredge operators in Texas?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new dredge operators typically earn — is $59K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,553/month. At HUD’s $1,415/month FMR, rent would take 40% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is dredge operator a high-paying job in Texas?
Local pay is 32% above the national median — $66K here vs. $50K nationally.
How does Texas compare to the national average for dredge operators?
Texas pays $66K median vs. the U.S. average of $50K — that’s +32%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 91.49), the purchasing-power equivalent is $72K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do dredge operators make in Texas?
The median is $65,580 a year, that works out to about $32 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $59,210, and experienced dredge operators can clear $75,410. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $66K enough to live in Texas?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,543/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,415/month, which eats 31.1% 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 dredge operators salary go in Texas?
Texas has a Regional Price Parity of 91.49 (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 dredge operators salary is worth about $71,680 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do dredge operators 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.