Bridge and Lock Tenders salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Bridge and Lock Tenders in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $73,110 a year ($35.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,790 for the top 10%. That is 27% higher than the national median of $57,700. Pay here is 3% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $70,890. There are 0.03 bridge and lock tenders per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $76,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bridge and lock tenders in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,160 | $28.44 |
| 25th percentile | $64,640 | $31.08 |
| Median | $73,110 | $35.15 |
| 75th percentile | $86,390 | $41.54 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $88,790 | $42.69 |
| Average (mean) | $76,220 | $36.64 |
Half of bridge and lock tenders earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,092.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,046.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,811.92 |
| Weekly | $1,405.96 |
| Hourly | $35.15 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $73,110 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Bridge and Lock Tenders salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $74,480 | 30 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $70,890 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for bridge and lock tenders
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $78,020 |
| Mississippi | $74,730 |
| Minnesota | $74,420 |
| Missouri | $74,110 |
| California | $72,390 |
| Illinois | $70,890 |
| Iowa | $70,890 |
| Pennsylvania | $68,810 |
| Alabama | $66,830 |
| West Virginia | $65,460 |
See Bridge and Lock Tenders pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Parking Attendant | $37,810 | $18.18 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $38,520 | $18.52 |
| Aircraft Service Attendant | $39,070 | $18.78 |
| Transportation Inspector | $55,070 | $26.48 |
| Transportation Workers, All Other | $36,370 | $17.49 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,550 | $19.50 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $38,450 | $18.48 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $62,300 | $29.95 |
| Light Truck Driver | $47,950 | $23.05 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,950 | $23.05 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $68,330 | $32.85 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,180 | $17.40 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $49,180 | $23.64 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $36,580 | $17.59 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-6011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bridge and lock tenders make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for bridge and lock tenders in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $73,110 a year, or $35.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bridge and lock tenders make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of bridge and lock tenders in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $88,790 a year. The top 25% earn $86,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for bridge and lock tenders in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,160 a year, and a quarter of bridge and lock tenders earn $64,640 or less.
How many bridge and lock tenders work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 120 bridge and lock tenders are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.