Transportation · SOC 53-6011
Logging and radio calls are automatable, but operating bridge machinery and managing vessel traffic demand on-site judgment.
Parts of the job are exposed, but judgment and context still matter.
Timeline: Remote monitoring and automated bridge controls are being piloted on low-traffic waterways; staffed operation will persist at high-traffic or complex structures through the 2030s.
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$34,600 median pay
$39,700 median pay
$63,940 median pay
Transportation
AI job-risk card
Bridge and Lock Tenders is watch on AIFear. Parts of the job are exposed, but judgment and context still matter.
AIFear.com
Our AI Fear Score for Bridge and Lock Tenders is 35/100 (Watch). Parts of the job are exposed, but judgment and context still matter.
35 out of 100, based on an AI-model review of this occupation's O*NET tasks against what current AI can actually do.
Most exposed: Logging water levels and weather data, Writing and submitting maintenance requisitions, Preparing accident reports. Harder to automate: Operating bridge and lock machinery in real time, Observing vessel position and progress directly, Judging vessel size and speed for safe passage timing, Activating traffic signals and navigation lights on cue.
Lean into Waterway infrastructure operations, Vessel traffic management, Hydraulic machinery operation, Emergency response and safety protocols. Consider roles such as Waterway operations supervisor or Port infrastructure manager or Transportation safety officer.
Tasks, skills and AI-exposure for this role were reviewed by an AI model against its O*NET task profile (curated roles use published research anchors). Pay and employment, where shown, are U.S. BLS OEWS (May 2024) figures. This is an estimate, not a prediction about any individual's job. Compare all occupations.