Dredge Operators
Material moving machine operators use equipment to transport objects.
Is dredge operators a good career?
It scores 10/100 and ranks #690 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.
Advantages
- No college degree typically required to enter
Possible tradeoffs
- Pays below the U.S. median wage ($49,640 vs $61,390)
- Slower-than-average projected growth (+1.2%)
What dredge operators earn
Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. dredge operators earn between $46,430 and $62,070 a year.
Live dredge operators jobs
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- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Outlook
- Employment is projected to grow slower than average through 2034.
Education
Although no formal educational credential is typically required, companies may prefer to hire material moving machine operators who have a high school diploma. For crane and tower operators and dredge operators, a high school diploma or equivalent is typically required.
Training
Material moving machine operators typically are trained on the job in less than a month, but the amount of time spent in training varies with the type of machine. Some machines, such as cranes and towers, are complex and may require several months of training. Others, such as industrial trucks and forklifts, may take only a few days to learn how to operate. New workers usually are trained by an experienced employee.
During their training, material moving machine operators learn safety rules, many of which are standardized through the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA). Employers must certify that each operator has received the proper training. Operators who work with hazardous materials receive additional training.
Licenses, certifications & registrations
Some states and cities require crane operators to be licensed. Operators typically must complete a skills test in which they show that they can control a crane. They also must pass a written exam that tests their knowledge of safety rules and procedures. Check with your state or city licensing agency for specific requirements.
Employers may require or prefer that workers become certified.
Important qualities
Communication skills. Material moving machine operators signal and direct workers to load and unload material. They also receive direction from workers on the ground when moving material.
Coordination. Material moving machine operators must have steady hands and feet to guide and control heavy machinery precisely. They use hand controls to maneuver their machines through tight spaces, around large objects, and on uneven surfaces.
Mechanical skills. Material moving machine operators make minor adjustments to their machines and perform basic maintenance on them.
Visual ability. Material moving machine operators must be able to see clearly where they are driving or what they are moving. They must also watch for nearby workers, who may unknowingly be in their path.
Related occupations
How much do dredge operators make?
The national median wage is $49,640 a year, with the middle half earning between $46,430 and $62,070 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Is dredge operators a good career?
On the Jobs.best index it scores 10 of 100 and ranks #690 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change +1.2% through 2034.
What education do you need to become a dredge operator?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent.
Where do dredge operators earn the most?
Among states, Texas pays the highest median ($65,580). Local pay for every state and metro is below.