Occupations/53-7031.00
Dredge Operators
Operate dredge to remove sand, gravel, or other materials in order to excavate and maintain navigable channels in waterways.
Usually a high school diploma, plus some experience or short training.
AI automation risk
47%
Mixed exposure
Human characteristics
39%
Balanced human and task mix
Task orientation
44%
Mixed exposure
A day in this job
- Mostly routine
Start and stop engines to operate equipment.
- Mostly routine
Lower anchor poles to verify depths of excavations, using winches, or scan depth gauges to determine depths of excavations.
- Task
Move levers to position dredges for excavation, to engage hydraulic pumps, to raise and lower suction booms, and to control rotation of cutterheads.
The tasks we can read here lean routine. That sits next to the AI risk rank — it is not a forecast that the job disappears.
Core tasks
- 01Move levers to position dredges for excavation, to engage hydraulic pumps, to raise and lower suction booms, and to control rotation of cutterheads.
- 02Start and stop engines to operate equipment.
- 03Start power winches that draw in or let out cables to change positions of dredges, or pull in and let out cables manually.
- 04Pump water to clear machinery pipelines.
- 05Lower anchor poles to verify depths of excavations, using winches, or scan depth gauges to determine depths of excavations.
- 06Direct or assist workers placing shore anchors and cables, laying additional pipes from dredges to shore, and pumping water from pontoons.
Model drivers (O*NET 1–5)
- Repeating same tasks2.41
- Degree of automation3.00
- Time sitting3.51
- Originality (ability)2.00
- Conflict situations2.53
- Hands-on objects/tools4.68
- Outdoors / weather4.45
- Disease exposure1.05
- Decision freedom3.78
Top abilities
- Control Precision4.00
- Multilimb Coordination3.75
- Depth Perception3.50
- Reaction Time3.38
- Manual Dexterity3.38
- Arm-Hand Steadiness3.38
- Problem Sensitivity3.25
- Near Vision3.25
Essential skills
- Reading Comprehension2.50
- Active Listening2.88
- Writing2.12
- Speaking2.88
- Mathematics2.00
- Science1.25
- Critical Thinking3.00
- Active Learning2.50
- Learning Strategies2.38
- Monitoring2.88
CIP matches
Schools offering related programs
2 shown
Earnings are College Scorecard medians for that program, 1 and 2 years after completion. A dash means the Department suppressed the cell or the campus is not in the field file.
| Institution | Program | Tuition | Admit | Grad 6-yr | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Century College White Bear Lake, MN · Public | Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation 49.0202 | $6,000 | 100% | 31% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Certificate · CIP 49.02 |
Anoka-Ramsey Community College Coon Rapids, MN · Public | Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation 49.0202 | $5,800 | 100% | 33% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Certificate · CIP 49.02 |