Dredge Operators: Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Stan T.Career, Overview

Dredge Operators

Dredge Operators operate dredge to remove sand, gravel, or other materials in order to excavate and maintain navigable channels in waterways.

Salary
$53790
Becoming One
Easy
Education
No degree required
Job Satisfaction
Low
Job Growth

Personality
Interest Match



Job description

Dredge Operators operate dredge to remove sand, gravel, or other materials in order to excavate and maintain navigable channels in waterways.

  • 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.
  • Start power winches that draw in or let out cables to change positions of dredges, or pull in and let out cables manually.
  • Pump water to clear machinery pipelines.
Read more about what does a Dredge Operator really do at work and what is it like being and working as one.



Salary

Average salary
$47500 per year

Average hourly wage
$23 per hour


Dredge Operators with little to no experience tend to make between $30760 and $36630 while the more experienced ones can earn over $55100 per year.

Top 5 paying states Hourly Annual
CA $30 $62,270
SC $26 $53,800
IN $24 $49,510
MO $23 $47,750
LA $22 $46,670

One of the easiest ways to increase your salary as a Dredge Operator is to move to a higher paying state like CA. Right now, the highest paying states for Dredge Operators are CA, SC, IN, MO and LA.

However, a higher pay at CA doesn’t guarantee that you will make more because the living expenses at CA might be twice as high than where you are currently at now.

Three other factors that can increase your salary as a Dredge Operator is the degree you hold, the industry you work in, and lastly the company you work for.


Requirements

Recommended degree level
No degree required

We asked other Dredge Operators what degree they had when they got the job and most of them said they had a High School Diploma followed by a Post-Secondary Certificate.

Other than that, we also asked them what did they major in and here are the most popular majors that came up.

Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation
Read more about how to become a Dredge Operator and the degree, training and education you need.

Pros and Cons

Here are some of the pros and cons of being a Dredge Operator.

PROS
Suitable for people who likes practical and hands-on work
Suitable for people who wants to work in a supportive work environment
This career is perfect for people who love to work outdoors.
It is easy to get into this career. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
CONS
Not suitable for people who likes to help and teach others
Salary is below average
Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week)

What is the job like

Job satisfaction
61%

Is this job meaningful
47%


61% of Dredge Operators said they were satisfied with their job and 47% said they feel like their job is making other people’s lives better.


Is this right for me

Best personality for this career
The Builders and The Organizers

You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.



Learn more about Dredge Operators

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Job Description
Salary
Requirements
Quiz

Related career information

Dredge Operators job description, Dredge Operators salary, Dredge Operators information, what is the job of a Dredge Operator like, pros and cons about Dredge Operators, colleges and universities for Dredge Operators, is Dredge Operators the right career for me, careers in Transportation

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