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Dredging Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Dixon Marine Services, Inc

Be Seen First

Marine Project Manager

Inverness, CA · On-site

$2.2K - $2.8K/wk

Dixon Marine Services, Inc is seeking a project manager with marine experience in heavy civil construction, hydraulic dredging, mechanical dredging environmental restoration. The Project manager will ...

New

Foth

Client Manager - Marine Infrastructure

Petaluma, CA · On-site +1

$130K - $170K/yr

Previous marine, waterfront, coastal, dredging and/or resiliency project experience Preferred Qualifications * 15+ years of experience in engineering consulting services in either the public or ...

Martin Marietta Materials

Senior Operator Dredge

Sanger, CA · On-site

$32.55 - $47.20/hr

Operate dredging equipment to excavate, move, and load raw materials in accordance with production goals and established procedures. * Control and maneuver large-scale machinery to extract materials ...

Foth

Client Manager - Marine Infrastructure

Petaluma, CA · On-site

$130K - $170K/yr

Previous marine, waterfront, coastal, dredging and/or resiliency project experience Preferred Qualifications * 15+ years of experience in engineering consulting services in either the public or ...

R.E. Staite Engineering, Inc.

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Marine Construction Estimator

San Diego, CA · On-site

$125K - $150K/yr

Staite has specialized in marine and heavy civil construction, piers, wharfs, marinas, deep pile foundations, bridge construction and dredging, successfully completing projects along the western ...

Curtin Maritime

Project Cost Analyst

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$90K - $100K/yr

The Opportunity Curtin Maritime is looking for a Cost Analyst to own day-to-day cost tracking and reporting for our dredging projects. Right now, project cost data lives across multiple systems with ...

Curtin Maritime

Project Cost Analyst

Long Beach, CA · On-site

The Opportunity Curtin Maritime is looking for a Cost Analyst to own day-to-day cost tracking and reporting for our dredging projects. Right now, project cost data lives across multiple systems with ...

Curtin Maritime

Project Cost Analyst

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$90K - $100K/yr

The Opportunity Curtin Maritime is looking for a Cost Analyst to own day-to-day cost tracking and reporting for our dredging projects. Right now, project cost data lives across multiple systems with ...

Yubawater

1393 Chief Estimator-CLOSED

Petaluma, CA · On-site

$90 - $120/hr

As one of the most respected names in marine construction, dredging, and ecological restoration, their legacy runs deep, with a lasting impact across the San Francisco Bay, the Delta, and the vital ...

New

RimePro Inc

Heavy-Civil Estimator

Burbank, CA

$100K - $140K/yr

Experience with environmental remediation, ecological restoration, dredging, or demolition projects. * Familiarity with regulatory requirements and compliance considerations in environmental ...

RimePro Inc

Heavy Civil Estimator

Los Angeles, CA

$100K - $140K/yr

Experience with environmental remediation, ecological restoration, dredging, or demolition projects. * Familiarity with regulatory requirements and compliance considerations in environmental ...

Curtin Maritime

HSSE Administrator

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

Under general supervision, the HSSE Administrator works as part of Curtin Maritime's Health, Safety, Security, and Environment Department in support of the Company's maritime and dredging operations.

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Dredging information

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$13

$25

$41

How much do dredging jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for dredging in California is $25.81, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.35 and $28.22 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a dredging operator?

To thrive as a Dredging Operator, you need mechanical aptitude, knowledge of dredging techniques, and relevant certifications such as a heavy equipment operator license or maritime credentials. Familiarity with GPS navigation systems, dredging machinery, and safety protocols is typically required. Strong attention to detail, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities help operators adapt to changing conditions and maintain project efficiency. These skills and qualities are crucial for ensuring safe operations, minimizing environmental impact, and meeting project goals in marine and waterway construction.

Is dredging a hard job?

Dredging is physically demanding work that often involves operating heavy machinery in challenging environments, such as water and confined spaces. It requires technical skills, safety training, and sometimes long or irregular hours, making it a physically and mentally challenging occupation.

What are some of the common challenges faced by professionals working in dredging operations?

Professionals in dredging often face challenges such as working in variable weather conditions, maintaining equipment in harsh marine environments, and adhering to strict environmental and safety regulations. Dredging projects can also require coordination with multiple stakeholders, including port authorities, marine engineers, and environmental agencies, which makes strong communication skills essential. Additionally, project timelines can be impacted by unexpected technical issues or regulatory changes, so adaptability and problem-solving abilities are highly valued in this role.

What does a dredging operator do?

Dredging jobs focus on the removal of sediment from water routes, including streams, rivers, lakes, and artificially created areas. In this role, you operate a large piece of equipment known as a dredge. You also coordinate with a safety engineer and otherwise help ensure marine traffic can continue to work as normal. Many regions also dredge areas that host fish and wildlife, helping to ensure that the area remains safe for aquatic life. Outside of waterway cleaning, people sometimes hire dredges to create new waterways, excavate areas for future work, reclaim damaged areas, deepen existing waterways, or perform other maintenance. Dredging jobs often require traveling to different areas to work as needed, so you may be away from home for extended periods while on the job.

What is dredging?

Dredging is the process of removing sediment, debris, and other materials from the bottom of bodies of water such as rivers, harbors, and canals. Professionals in dredging operate specialized equipment to excavate these materials, helping to maintain navigable waterways, prevent flooding, and support construction or environmental restoration projects. Their work ensures safe passage for ships, protects shorelines, and can also contribute to land reclamation and wetland restoration efforts.

How do you become a dredging professional?

To become a dredging professional, individuals typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, followed by specialized training or an apprenticeship in dredging operations. Relevant skills include knowledge of heavy machinery, safety protocols, and environmental regulations, and certifications such as OSHA safety training are often required.

What is the difference between Dredging vs Excavation?

AspectDredgingExcavation
Primary PurposeRemoving sediment and debris from water bodiesDigging and removing earth from land surfaces
Work EnvironmentWaterways, ports, harborsConstruction sites, land development
Required CertificationsHeavy equipment operation, safety certificationsHeavy equipment operation, safety certifications
Industry UsageMaritime, environmental managementConstruction, infrastructure projects

While both dredging and excavation involve earth-moving activities, dredging focuses on removing sediment from water bodies to maintain navigability or environmental health, whereas excavation involves digging land for construction or development projects. Understanding these differences helps in selecting the right skill set and equipment for each task.

More about Dredging jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Dredging jobs in California? The most popular types of Dredging jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Dredging jobs in California? For Dredging jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Dredging jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Dredging jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Dredging jobs? Cities in California with the most Dredging job openings:
Dredging jobs near you
Infographic showing various Dredging job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $53,695 per year, or $25.8 per hour.

Project Manager - Dredging West Coast

The Dutra Group

San Rafael, CA • On-site

$110K - $130K/yr

Full-time

Medical

Re-posted yesterday

Job description

Project Manager - Dredging West Coast
Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled
SUMMARY: Provide overall management direction for project and develop new business opportunities relative to a specific geographic location
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Organizes and directs crewing on field project assignments.
  • Assists in obtaining, outfitting and maintaining equipment necessary for project assignment.
  • Understands scope of work and identifies differing site conditions or other changes to the scope.
  • Documents daily resources utilized in performance of work.
  • Identifies and implements alternative production methodologies.
  • Reviews project proposal or plan to determine time frame, funding limitations, procedures for accomplishing project, staffing requirements, and allotment of available resources to various phases of project.
  • Establishes work plan and staffing for each phase of project and arranges for recruitment or assignment of project personnel. Confers with project staff to outline work plan and to assign duties, responsibilities, and scope of authority.
  • Directs and coordinates activities of project personnel to ensure project progresses on schedule and within prescribed budget.
  • Reviews status reports prepared by project personnel and modifies schedules or plans as required. Prepares project reports for management, client, or others.
  • Initiate and maintain liaison with prime client and contacts, to facilitate dredging or construction activities.
COMPETENCIES: To perform the job successfully, an individual should possess and demonstrate the following competencies:
  • Business Literacy: ability to understand the line of business, to take the business vision and translate it into the project vision.
  • Corporate Procedures and Tools: ability to understand and apply established policies and procedures, corporate tools and requirements to the project.
  • Communications: ability to produce clear status reports, writes clearly, communicates tactfully and candidly, exhibits clear verbal skills and an excellent listener.
  • Financial Acumen: ability to understand how decisions affect the bottom line; know about general financial and accounting principles and practices that affect operations; and know about the links between operations and the department's financial performance, which is essential to create value for all the organization's stakeholders.
  • Leadership: ability to motivate project members, set achievable objectives, maintains a positive outlook, take responsibility, make decisions, and provide constructive feedback.
  • Time Management: ability to manage competing priorities effectively, to be resourceful and to use time as a resource.
  • Environmental, Health and Safety Management: Understand and know how to comply with all regulations; implement a positive attitude toward health and safety in the design and
  • execution of the project; ensure safe deliverables and incorporate sustainable development practices.
QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • Education/Experience: Bachelor's degree (B. A. or B.S.) from four-year college or university in Engineering or Construction Management and at least five years’ experience with project management in Marine Construction or Dredging; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Language Ability: ability to communicate clearly and effectively in order to manage and motivate staff individually and as a team.
  • Reasoning Ability: must have a record of impartial, objective analysis, approaching issues with an open mind; be able to identify possible solutions that are technically and conceptually sound.
  • Computer Skills: to perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of and experience with HCSS, Primavera, Excel and CAD. Vista experience preferred but not required.
  • Physical Presence: Regular and predictable physical presence at assigned work location is an essential qualification for this position due to the importance of the team-related aspects of the essential duties, the aggressive timeframes under which the employee will operate, and the need for face-to-face interaction with employees in order to properly perform job-related functions.
  • Current valid Driver’s License required.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Supervises construction or dredging work and employees at a project location.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to frequently inspect the project and may be exposed to ongoing construction and various weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment may range from moderate to loud.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
  • Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and color vision.
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear.
  • The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle or feel.
  • The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms.
  • The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch and/or crawl.
The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned by their supervisor.
Pay Range: $110,000 to $130,000 per year
PRIVACY NOTICE TO CALIFORNIA JOB APPLICANTS AND EMPLOYEES
The Dutra Group and its affiliates and subsidiaries (“Dutra,” “we,” “us,” and “our”) adopts this Privacy Notice (“Notice”) pursuant to the California Consumer Privacy Act, as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (together, the “CCPA”). This Notice explains our online and offline practices regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of “personal information” of job applicants and employees who reside in California. Please read this Notice carefully so you understand our practices regarding your information.
For more information about the types of information we collect and use in connection with your general access and use of our website, please review our general Privacy Policy for Dutra’s Website found here: https://www.dutragroup.com/privacy/.
How Dutra Collects Your Information
  • Website Visitors: Dutra collects personal information from visitors to our website when voluntarily provided. For instance, we collect personal information when someone contacts us through our contact form.
  • Website Navigational Information: As you navigate the Website, Dutra may gather information through common tools like cookies, which are small data files stored on your computer. This may include standard browser information, IP addresses, and your actions on the Website (e.g., pages viewed, links clicked). Cookies are used for administrative purposes, such as storing preferences. Cookies do not contain information allowing direct contact and can be managed via your browser settings.
  • Job Applications: Dutra uses Paycor, a third-party HR service provider, to manage our job application process. When you apply for a position with Dutra through our Website, you will be directed to a Paycor-hosted application portal. All personal information submitted during the job application process is collected and stored by Paycor. Dutra does not control or direct how Paycor stores or uses any personal information submitted through this application portal. As Paycor manages the collection and processing of your personal information during the job application process, we strongly encourage you to review Paycor’s Privacy Policy. You can access Paycor’s Privacy Policy at: https://www.paycor.com/privacy-policy/
  • Third Parties: Your current, prospective, or former employer or a similarly affiliated entity may provide personal information to Dutra to facilitate the processing of hiring, benefits management, payroll services, tax compliance, scheduling and timekeeping, onboarding, data analytics, or other related human resources-related services.
Information Dutra Collects and the Purpose of Use
  • Identifiers. Examples include: real name, alias, postal address, Internet Protocol address, email address, account name, social security number, driver’s license number, passport number, or other similar identifier necessary to make employment decisions and manage employment relationships.
  • Sensitive Personal Information. Examples include: a social security number, driver’s license information, state identification card, passport information, or racial or ethnic origin.
  • Personal information categories listed in the California Customer Records statute (Cal. Civ. Code § 1798.80(e)). Examples include: name, signature, Social Security number, address, telephone number, passport number, driver’s license or state identification card number, insurance policy number, education, employment, employment history, bank account number, medical information, or other information necessary to provide health insurance and other benefits, including dependents, and emergency contact information.
  • Geolocation data. Examples include: physical location or movement of certain equipment in possession of our employees.
  • Legally protected classification characteristics under California or federal law. Examples may include: age, race, color, national origin, citizenship, marital status, medical condition, physical or mental disability, sex (including gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy or childbirth and related medical conditions), veteran or military status.
  • Internet or other similar network activity. Examples include: cookies and IP addresses.
  • Sensory data: Examples include: voicemails.
  • Professional or employment-related information. Examples may include: Information regarding prior job experience, positions held, names of prior supervisors.
  • Non-public education information. Examples include: Education records directly related to a student maintained by an educational institution or party acting on its behalf, such as grades, transcripts, class lists, student schedules, student identification codes, student financial information, or student disciplinary records.
No Sale of Personal Information
Dutra does not sell your personal information or your sensitive personal information, nor do we share it with third parties for cross-context behavioral advertising.
Use and Disclosure of Personal Information
We collect and use your personal information for the following business purposes, consistent with and only as permitted by applicable law:
  • To consider job applicants for current and potential future employment opportunities and assess their skills, qualifications, and interests against our career opportunities.
  • To schedule job applicants for interviews and communicate with them about their application and employment opportunities.
  • To evaluate a job applicant’s employment application, corroborating the information contained in the application and any supporting documents, and (where applicable) conducting employment related screening and background checks.
  • To manage the employment relationship with Dutra, facilitate employment administration, processing, and maintenance, such as providing benefits to employees and their beneficiaries, processing payroll, and general office administration.
  • To manage the employment relationship with Dutra and facilitate a safe work environment.
  • To facilitate IT and equipment safety, functionality, and maintenance.
  • To comply with local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
  • For any other purposes that we disclose to you at the time of collection.
Pursuant to this Notice, Dutra may disclose some of the personal information to a third-party vendor as necessary for our hiring practices. For example, such vendors could include the agencies we use to conduct pre-employment screening (such as background checks) and conduct drug testing.
Dutra may use or disclose information provided if required by law, to protect its rights, comply with legal processes, comply with government authorities, or safeguard users, employees, or the public.
Except as described in this Privacy Policy, we do not share your personal information with unknown or unaffiliated third parties, nor cross-reference your personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising. Unless otherwise stated in this Privacy Policy, Dutra will not share, sell, rent, or trade your information without prior consent.
Retention of Your Personal Information
Dutra will retain your personal information for the time period reasonably necessary to achieve the purposes described in this N

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