CDCareer Decision

Dredge Operators Salary in IA

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Dredge Operators in IA have a median annual salary of $57,990, with 60 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $56,060 at the 10th percentile to $69,580 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$57,990

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$27.88

Employment

60

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$56,060
10th
$57,500
25th
$57,990
Median
$60,000
75th
$69,580
90th

Local compared with national

IA

$57,990

Median annual · 2025

United States

$49,640

Median annual · 2025

The IA median is 16.8% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $8,350).

Top skills

  1. 1.Operation and ControlImportance 3.8
  2. 2.Operations MonitoringImportance 3.5
  3. 3.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.0
  4. 4.CoordinationImportance 3.0
  5. 5.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 3.0
  6. 6.Active ListeningImportance 2.9
  7. 7.SpeakingImportance 2.9
  8. 8.MonitoringImportance 2.9
  9. 9.TroubleshootingImportance 2.9
  10. 10.Social PerceptivenessImportance 2.8
  11. 11.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 2.8
  12. 12.Equipment SelectionImportance 2.8

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
Job zone
2

Technology used

  • Global positioning system GPS software
  • HYPACK DREDGEPACK
  • Programmable logic controller PLC software
  • Teledyne Odom Hydrographic ODOM eChart
  • Trimble HYDROpro
  • Web browser software

Common tasks

  • 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.
  • Lower anchor poles to verify depths of excavations, using winches, or scan depth gauges to determine depths of excavations.
  • Direct or assist workers placing shore anchors and cables, laying additional pipes from dredges to shore, and pumping water from pontoons.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Dredge Operators salary in other locations

Other occupations in IA