How much does a bridge and lock tender make in Chicago?
$73,110a year
Median yearly pay for bridge and lock tenders in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $35.15 an hour or $6,093 a month.
- Hourly
- $35.15
- Vs. national median
- +27%
- Rank among cities
- 3 of 10
- Jobs in the area
- 120
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $59,160Median: $73,110Highest 10%: $88,790
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $59,160 | $28.44 | |
| 25th | $64,640 | $31.08 | |
| Median | $73,110 | $35.15 | |
| 75th | $86,390 | $41.53 | |
| 90th | $88,790 | $42.69 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for bridge and lock tenders.
| Davenport, IA | $70,890 |
Related jobs in Chicago
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Airline Pilot | $293,500 |
| Air Traffic Controller | $189,800 |
| Commercial Pilot | $157,400 |
| Hoist and Winch Operator | $118,200 |
| Railroad Conductor and Yardmaster | $96,120 |
| Ship Engineer | $77,770 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector | $77,470 |
| Captain | $76,530 |
| Railroad Brake | $72,180 |
| Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisor | $70,780 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bridge and lock tender make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $35.15 ($73,110 a year).
Do bridge and lock tenders make more in Chicago than the national average?
Yes: $73,110 against $57,700 nationally, 27% more.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $70,890, so Chicago pays 3% more.
Where does Chicago rank for bridge and lock tender pay?
3 of 10 metro areas with data.
How much does a bridge and lock tender make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $59,160 or less a year; the top 10% make $88,790 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.