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Dredging Jobs in Hawaii (NOW HIRING)

Weeks Marine has three key divisions - Construction, Dredging and Marine Services - which are bolstered by three major subsidiaries, Healy Tibbitts Builders, Inc., McNally International, Inc. and ...

With marine construction and dredging projects across North America, you'll be challenged and have more opportunities to grow from Day One. At Weeks Marine, you'll develop multidiscipline ...

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Dredging information

See Hawaii salary details

$14

$27

$43

How much do dredging jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for dredging in Hawaii is $27.18, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.50 and $29.71 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 procedures, and environmental regulations, and certifications such as OSHA safety training are often required.

Is dredging a hard job?

Dredging is physically demanding work that often involves operating heavy machinery in challenging outdoor environments. It requires technical skills, safety awareness, and sometimes certifications, making it a job that can be considered physically and technically challenging.

What are popular job titles related to Dredging jobs in Hawaii?

For Dredging jobs in Hawaii, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Dredging jobs in Hawaii look for?

The top searched job categories for Dredging jobs in Hawaii are:

Infographic showing various Dredging job openings in Hawaii as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $56,527 per year, or $27.2 per hour.

$17.50 - $22.50/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 21 days ago


Job description

Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All recruiting, hiring, transfer, promotion, training, compensation, benefits, layoff and termination practices are administered without discrimination because of race, creed, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, handicap, disabled veterans and other veteran status.

We primarily employ carpenters, laborers, operating engineers, masons, machinists and pipefitters. We are signatory to collective bargaining agreements with the following unions listed below and are subject to the hiring rules of each collective bargaining agreement. Quarterly, we anticipate hiring for projects on Oahu, Maui, Hawaii, Molokai and Kauai as work becomes available and will be contacting the respective union to fill these positions.

Hawaii Regional council of Carpenters - (808) 847-5761

Laborers International Union of North America Local 368 - (808) 841-5877

Operatives Plasterers and Cement Masons Union Local 630 & 1 - (808) 841-0491

Operating Engineers Union Local 3 - (808) 845-7871

International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local Lodge 1998 -

(808) 845-1024

Plumbers and Fitters Union Local 675 - (808) 536-5454

Thank you for your interest in joining our team here at Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company.

Salary based on collective bargaining agreement.