Also called: Reservoir Caretaker, Dam Keeper
Lives at or near a small dam, operating gates and watching water levels and the dam's condition.
You read gauges, clear debris from spillways, open a gate when a storm comes, and report anything unusual. Some dam tenders live in houses right at the dam.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 0 years after high school. High school diploma plus training.
Ways in: On-the-job training. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Growing slowly. Small niche.
Medium risk for 10 years. Remote monitoring and gate automation reduce the need for on-site tenders; some remote dams still keep one.
Age 18+. One way to start: Watch USAJOBS, your state or local water agency for dam tender openings First: Government hiring and background check, which often take 1–3 months
Classes: Earth science, Algebra, Mechanics CTE class.
Official data: O*NET occupation 53-6099.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.