Transportation
Hoist and Winch Operators
- Median pay
- $56,450
- Outlook
- Little or no change
No formal credential
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Operations Monitoring
SOC 53-7031.00
Operate dredge to remove sand, gravel, or other materials in order to excavate and maintain navigable channels in waterways.
Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
Source: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections
Annual pay range
1,040 people work in this occupation.
In short
Dredge operators use specialized machinery to clear sand, gravel, and debris from waterways, keeping channels safe for boats. This career offers a median annual pay of $49,640 and typically requires a high school diploma.
Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.
Operate dredge to remove sand, gravel, or other materials in order to excavate and maintain navigable channels in waterways.
Usually a high school diploma; some on-the-job training or experience.
People in this career focus on operating dredges to excavate materials from the bottoms of water bodies. On a daily basis, these workers control heavy machinery, monitor processes, and handle physical objects. They must inspect their equipment regularly to ensure everything functions correctly, performing mechanical repairs and maintenance when necessary. The job requires gathering information, communicating clearly with team members, and making decisions to solve problems safely on the water.
This role fits well with individuals who have realistic interests, meaning they enjoy practical, hands-on activities. To succeed, operators need strong skills in operation and control, operations monitoring, coordination, and troubleshooting. They must apply knowledge of mechanics, public safety, and basic physics. Important work styles for this job include dependability, cautiousness, attention to detail, and high stress tolerance, as operators must maintain self-control and follow strict safety standards in challenging marine environments.
To enter this field, candidates typically need a high school diploma. This occupation is classified under O*NET Job Zone 2, which means it requires some preparation. Most people enter the role with a high school education and then gain the necessary skills through on-the-job training or previous work experience.
For those looking to study a related field in college, majors in ground transportation can lead to this career. There are no specific licenses, certifications, or professional associations listed as requirements to start working in this occupation.
In 2025, the median annual pay for dredge operators was $49,640. Earnings can vary based on experience and location, with the lowest 10% of workers earning less than $41,080 and the highest 10% earning more than $74,140.
There are 1,040 people employed in this occupation. Between 2025 and 2035, employment is projected to grow by 0.7%, which represents little or no change. Despite this flat growth, about 100 job openings are expected to become available each year.
Interest code RCI. Compare it with yours
Dredge Boat Engineer · Dredge Deckhand · Dredge Engineer · Dredge Hand · Dredge Lever Operator · Dredge Mate · Dredge Operator · Dredge Worker · Dredgemaster · Dredger
Career pathway
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College Scorecard program outcomes
Programs that lead to this career, ranked by what their graduates earn four years after finishing. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid.
Williamsport, PA · Ground Transportation · Associate
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025. Programs with few graduates are not listed.
NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk
Related programs by four-digit CIP code. They are common routes in, not the only ones.
213 colleges offer it
CareerOneStop
What dredge operators may need beyond a degree, where a license is required, and what the work pays in each state.
Programs of study that prepare people for this work.
Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 6, 2026.
Your plan
Courses, majors, colleges, scholarships and a timeline for this career, built from your profile.
Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.
Workers in this field are also known as dredge boat engineers, dredge deckhands, dredge engineers, dredge hands, dredge lever operators, dredge mates, dredge workers, dredgemasters, and dredgers.
Related careers that share similar skills and activities include hoist and winch operators, operating engineers, excavating and loading machine operators, rotary drill operators, extraction worker helpers, and continuous mining machine operators.
Dredge operators rely heavily on knowledge of mechanics, the English language, public safety and security, administration, and production processes. They also benefit from understanding mathematics, physics, engineering, and construction.
Every figure on this page comes from these public datasets. Missing values are shown as not reported, never estimated.
Version 31.0
Version 2025-35 · Data year 2025
Version 2025 · Data year 2025
Version 2020 · Data year 2020
O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.
Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 6, 2026.
Page data updated November 5, 2026.