Dredge Operators

Also Called: Dredge Operator, Dredger

High School Diploma/GED

usually needed

Not Available
(Students Only)
Match Percentage

$37,870

Entry Salary

Bright

Job outlook

What Dredge Operators do

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.
Industry Areas:

Transportation

Training Program Areas:

Heavy Equipment Operations • Inland River System • OCT-Only Transportation • Seaman

Expand For Additional Details

Work Context

  • Face-to-Face Discussions
  • Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
  • Duration of Typical Work Week
  • Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
  • Outdoors, Exposed to Weather

Tools

  • Dredgers
  • Two way radios
  • Density measurement instrument
  • Sonars
  • Dump trucks

Technology

Data base user interface and query software
Data entry software
Teledyne Odom Hydrographic ODOM eChart
Industrial control software
HYPACK DREDGEPACK
Programmable logic controller PLC software
Mobile location based services software
Global positioning system GPS software

The Education & Training You Need

Skills

  • Operation and Control
  • Operation Monitoring
  • Coordination
  • Critical Thinking
  • Judgment and Decision Making

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology
mechanical
Arts and Humanities
English language
Safety and Government
public safety and security
Business
management

Education

  • 80% High school diploma or equivalent
  • 9% Post-secondary certificate
  • 7% Less than high school diploma

Experience

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.

What are some related occupations at different educational levels?


Job Training Match

Dredge Operators Currently Selected

Educational Level

High School Diploma or Equivalent

 Job Training Match

Crane & Tower Operators

Educational Level

Post-secondary, non-degree

 Job Training Match

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades & Extraction Workers

Educational Level

Associate's Degree

Transportation Engineers

Educational Level

Bachelor's Degree

Educational Level

Advanced Degree

What are your training options on the pathway to this occupation?

Advanced Training

There are currently no advanced training opportunities for this career.

ACT & College

  • Atlantic Technical Center

    Coconut Creek, FL

  • Bakersfield College

    Bakersfield, CA

Apprenticeships

Earn while you learn. Apprenticeships combines paid training & specialized classes to help workers enter highly skilled occupations. Click here for to locate an apprenticeship near you.

Military

The Military offers exciting career opportunities that align with your interests. Click here to explore military careers and find a recruiter near you.

Are You a Good Fit?

Occupation Traits

    • Realistic (Doer)

Work Styles

  • Concern for Others
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Dependability
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Self Control

Values

  • Support
  • Relationships
  • Working Conditions

Abilities

  • Controlled Movement
  • Hand and Finger Use

This is what Dredge Operators across the country typically make.

$18.21 / hour
$37,870 /year

Entry Level

$24.25 / hour
$50,440 /year

Median Level

$34.89 / hour
$72,570 /year

Experienced Level

Income information reflects a regional average.
Income information reflects a national average.

This career’s National Job Outlook is

Bright

Please be sure to verify the outlook of this occupation with your instructor.

Search Jobs