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Dredging Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Dredging Deckhand

Houma, LA · Remote

Dredging Deckhand Location: Houma, LA / Traveling (based on project) Schedule: Full-time / Rotational (28 days on / 14 days off) YOUR COMPASS TO SUCCESS! Next Generation Logistics is a trusted ...

United Dredging

Operator 2

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$20 - $28/hr

While dredging experience is highly valued, the industry involves specialized equipment, systems, and operating conditions that require continuous learning and adaptability. Success in this role ...

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How much do dredging jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for dredging in the United States is $26.16, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.63 and $28.61 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.
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What cities are hiring for Dredging jobs?

Cities with the most Dredging job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Dredging jobs?

The most popular types of Dredging jobs are:

What states have the most Dredging jobs?

States with the most job openings for Dredging jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Dredging jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Dredging jobs are:

dredging jobs near you
Infographic showing various Dredging job openings in the United States 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 $54,408 per year, or $26.2 per hour.

Weeks Dredging - Site Manager - Covington

Kiewit Corporation

Covington, LA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 24 days ago

Kiewit Corporation rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 137 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

24th of 80 rated construction

Job description

Requisition ID: 181001 

Job Level: Senior Level 

Home District/Group: Weeks Marine - Dredging 

Department: Field Operations 

Market: Transportation 

Employment Type: Full Time 

Position Overview

The Site Manager is responsible for safely and efficiently supervising dredging operations and related dredging construction project activities. The Site Manager reports to the Project Manager while assigned to his/her respective project.

District Overview

Weeks, a subsidiary of Kiewit Corporation, is an industry leader in dredging, providing turnkey services throughout North America. Dredging is vital to maintain our waterways, which keep our way of life moving, and to fortify our infrastructure and coastlines. Weeks provides a cohesive dredging services lifecycle, specializing in capital and maintenance dredging for deep or shallow draft navigation in addition to coastal restoration and protection.

Location

This position will be on a 17/11 rotational project. Candidate's can be based out of anywhere as long as they are okay to travel and the rotational schedule. 

Responsibilities
  • Project Oversight
  • Direct day-to-day dredging operations (hopper/hydraulic/mechanical dredges, support vessels, disposal sites).
  • Ensure adherence to project plans, technical specifications, and contract requirements.
  • Team & Resource Management
  • Supervise crews, equipment operators, and subcontractors.
  • Coordinate scheduling, shifts, and resource allocation.
  • Review dredge production and work with Engineering team to improve productivity.
  • Safety & Compliance
  • Enforce safety internal protocols and external (OSHA, USACE EM 385-1-1, Coast Guard, local maritime regs).
  • Ensure environmental compliance (turbidity, endangered species monitoring, disposal methods).
  • Stakeholder Communication
  • Liaise with project owners (e.g., USACE, port authorities), inspectors, and engineers.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes

Qualifications

5+ years of related experience including dredging and/or marine construction

Supervisory experience preferred

Ability to work 17 days on, 11 days off, revised as necessary

Willingness and ability to travel nationwide

This position requires fluent use of the verbal and written English language

Required Certifications or Licenses

Valid Driver's License with clean driving record

Other Requirements:

  • Regular, reliable attendance 
  • Work productively and meet deadlines timely
  • Communicate and interact effectively and professionally with supervisors, employees, and others individually or in a team environment.
  • Perform work safely and effectively. Understand and follow oral and written instructions, including warning signs, equipment use, and other policies.
  • Work during normal operating hours to organize and complete work within given deadlines. Work overtime and weekends as required.
  • May work at various different locations and conditions may vary.

We offer our fulltime staff employees a comprehensive benefits package that's among the best in our industry, including top-tier medical, dental and vision plans covering eligible employees and dependents, voluntary wellness and employee assistance programs, life insurance, disability, retirement plans with matching, and generous paid time off.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.
 

What Kiewit Corporation employees say

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About Kiewit

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Kiewit Infrastructure Engineering's Design-Build team is driving clients to turn to Kiewit during all stages of design-build projects. Through our integrated design and construction approach, our multi-disciplinary team works together to improve schedule, control costs and minimize risk. Our construction-focused engineers work collaboratively with our estimators and builders to design solutions that are innovative, constructible, and designed with a focus on safety. Clients benefit from the proven processes and tools used by Kiewit to minimize project risk. We are an in-house resource that supports projects throughout the company. Our staff shares experiences gained, innovative concepts, and best practices for all projects that we support.

Industry

Construction materials wholesalers

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Omaha, NE, US

Year founded

1884

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