What Do Dredge Operator Do?
Example of Dredge Operator Job Operate dredge to remove sand, gravel, or other materials in order to excavate and maintain navigable channels in waterways.
Daily Life Of a Dredge Operator
- Lower anchor poles to verify depths of excavations, using winches, or scan depth gauges to determine depths of excavations.
- Direct or assist workers placing shore anchors and cables, laying additional pipes from dredges to shore, and pumping water from pontoons.
- Start power winches that draw in or let out cables to change positions of dredges, or pull in and let out cables manually.
- Move levers to position dredges for excavation, to engage hydraulic pumps, to raise and lower suction booms, and to control rotation of cutterheads.
- Start and stop engines to operate equipment.
- Pump water to clear machinery pipelines.
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Qualities of a Dredge Operator
When polled, Dredge Operators say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Dredger
- Dredge Lever Operator
- Dredge Operator
- Dredge Captain
- Dredge Boat Engineer
Job Outlook for Dredge Operators
In the United States, there were 1,800 jobs for Dredge Operator in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 5.6% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 100 new jobs for Dredge Operator by 2026. There will be an estimated 200 positions for Dredge Operator per year.

The states with the most job growth for Dredge Operator are Florida, South Carolina, and Missouri. Watch out if you plan on working in Tennessee, Ohio, or North Carolina. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Dredge Operator
The typical yearly salary for Dredge Operators is somewhere between $30,760 and $66,040.

Dredge Operators who work in California, Indiana, or South Carolina, make the highest salaries.
How much do Dredge Operators make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
California | $62,270 |
Florida | $46,050 |
Indiana | $49,510 |
Iowa | $42,600 |
Louisiana | $46,670 |
Maryland | $46,160 |
Missouri | $47,750 |
Nebraska | $34,410 |
Ohio | $41,610 |
Oklahoma | $40,300 |
Pennsylvania | $41,980 |
South Carolina | $53,800 |
Texas | $44,120 |
What Tools & Technology do Dredge Operators Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Dredge Operators may use on a daily basis:
- Web browser software
- Data entry software
- Global positioning system GPS software
- Programmable logic controller PLC software
- Trimble HYDROpro
How do I Become a Dredge Operator?
Learn what Dredge Operator education requirements there are.

What work experience do I need to become a Dredge Operator?

Where Dredge Operators Work

The table below shows the approximate number of Dredge Operators employed by various industries.

You May Also Be Interested In…
Those interested in being a Dredge Operator may also be interested in:
Career changers with experience as a Dredge Operator sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
Image Credit: Hic85 via Public Domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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