Read a stat that 60% of dredge operators retire before age 55

Pulled that number from a Bureau of Labor report last night and it hit me different. After 20 years of running a cutterhead on the Mississippi, I can see why some guys cash out early.

3 comments

3 Comments

margaretm232mo agoProlific Poster

Are you counting guys who move to different roles in the industry though? I know a lot of dredge operators who leave the heavy machinery part but stay on as foremen or consultants. That 60% number might just mean they switched to something less hard on the body, not that they actually retired and quit working entirely. The Mississippi is tough work but it pays better than most jobs around here, so some guys stick around longer than they probably should.

claire_walker1mo ago

Baton Rouge alone has 12 dredging companies with owners who never touched a lever after year one.

king.andrew2mo ago

That's a good point, Margaret. I bet a lot of those guys just move to consulting.