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Alaska Pilot Jobs in Renton, WA (NOW HIRING)

Lindblad Expeditions

Second Mate

Seattle, WA

$374 - $402/day

Handles the vessel, as directed by the Captain, in docking, anchoring, piloting, en route travel ... Experience operating port-to-port between Southeast Alaska, the Columbia and Snake Rivers, the Gulf ...

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All JobsAlaska Pilot JobsAlaska Pilot Jobs in Renton, WA

Alaska Pilot information

See Renton, WA salary details

$55.7K

$147.3K

$226.1K

How much do alaska pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for alaska pilot in Renton, WA is $147,258.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $112,500.00 and $174,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an Alaska pilot?

Alaska pilots are licensed professionals who operate various types of aircraft within the challenging and diverse environments of Alaska. They may fly commercial airlines, cargo planes, bush planes, or charter flights, often transporting people and goods to remote locations that are inaccessible by road. These pilots must possess specialized skills to navigate Alaska's unique terrain and weather conditions. Many Alaska pilots are also responsible for ensuring the safety of their passengers and cargo, conducting pre-flight checks, and maintaining communication with air traffic control. The role requires adaptability, strong decision-making skills, and extensive training.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be an Alaska pilot?

To thrive as an Alaska Pilot, you need an FAA commercial pilot license, strong navigation abilities, and extensive knowledge of aviation safety and weather patterns typical to Alaska. Familiarity with bush planes, GPS navigation systems, and survival equipment is often required, alongside specialized training for challenging terrain and remote airstrips. Exceptional decision-making, adaptability, and communication skills help pilots respond to rapidly changing conditions and coordinate with ground crews. These skills and qualities are critical to ensure safe, reliable operations in Alaska's unpredictable and rugged environment.

What unique challenges do Alaska pilots face compared to pilots in other regions?

Alaska pilots often encounter challenging weather conditions, such as rapidly changing storms, low visibility, and extreme cold, which require advanced flying skills and adaptability. The rugged terrain and remote locations mean that pilots frequently land on unpaved airstrips, lakes, or even glaciers, demanding excellent situational awareness and precision. Collaboration with ground crews and local communities is vital for safety and mission success, and pilots must be prepared for a higher degree of self-reliance due to limited infrastructure and support in the Alaskan wilderness.

What is the difference between Alaska Pilot vs Alaska Commercial Pilot?

AspectAlaska PilotAlaska Commercial Pilot
CertificationsCommercial Pilot Certificate, specific endorsements for bush flyingCommercial Pilot Certificate, often with additional endorsements for cargo or passenger flights
Work EnvironmentBush strips, remote areas, often challenging weather conditionsAirports, charter services, cargo, and passenger flights within Alaska
Employer & Industry UsageAir taxi services, charter companies, government agenciesCommercial airlines, cargo carriers, charter operators

Alaska Pilots typically operate in remote, challenging environments requiring specialized skills and endorsements, while Alaska Commercial Pilots work for various commercial operators performing passenger or cargo flights across Alaska. Both roles require a Commercial Pilot Certificate, but their work settings and specific duties differ.

What are popular job titles related to Alaska Pilot jobs in Renton, WA?

For Alaska Pilot jobs in Renton, WA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Alaska Pilot jobs in Renton, WA look for?

The top searched job categories for Alaska Pilot jobs in Renton, WA are:

What cities near Renton, WA are hiring for Alaska Pilot jobs?

Cities near Renton, WA with the most Alaska Pilot job openings:

Alaska Pilot jobs near you
Infographic showing various Alaska Pilot job openings in Renton, WA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 31% Full Time, 66% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 39% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 60% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $147,258 per year, or $70.8 per hour.

Second Mate

Lindblad Expeditions

Seattle, WA

$374 - $402/day

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago

Job description

WHO WE ARE
Lindblad Expeditions is a true pioneer in Expedition Travel. From taking the first citizen explorers to Antarctica in 1966, opening the Galapagos and Easter Island to tourism in 1967, leading the first tourist expedition through the Northwest Passage in 1984, and launching our innovative partnership with National Geographic in 2004, we're now taking almost 30,000 guests a year to some of the world’s most remote and pristine locations on our fleet of 20 ships, and are committed to ensuring our guests experience the “Exhilaration of Discovery”.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As a Second Mate with Lindblad Expeditions, you're far more than a watchstander—you're a key part of the navigational team guiding guests safely through some of the most remote and breathtaking places on Earth. From plotting the safest course through narrow coastal waterways to navigating open-sea passages, you'll combine sharp technical skill with sound judgment to keep the ship, crew, and guests moving safely toward the next great discovery. Beyond the bridge, you'll drive Zodiacs, help train and mentor crew, and ensure the vessel's navigation and safety systems are always ready for whatever the expedition brings.

This position is ideal for a licensed mariner who thrives on responsibility, enjoys the technical challenge of navigation and voyage planning, and wants their work to directly shape an unforgettable guest experience. You'll serve as a vital link on the bridge team aboard one of our U.S.-flagged vessels, where precision, safety, and calm decision-making under pressure are always top priorities. If you're ready to put your maritime license to work in some of the world's most extraordinary waters, we'd love to have you aboard.

WORK SCHEDULE

The Second Mate works approximately 12 hours per day of varied hours, on an approximately 6 weeks on/6 weeks off rotational schedule. Daily 12-hour shifts are comprised of standing two watches, administrative work, and small boat operations.

Watch Duty

Watch Duty

  • Performs bridge navigation and deck watch during specified periods; determines the ship's geographical position using all available means, including GPS, radar ranges, visual observations, and depth sounders.
  • Makes necessary entries in navigation and radio logs.
  • Handles the vessel, as directed by the Captain, in docking, anchoring, piloting, en route travel, close-quarters maneuvering, and open sea conditions.
  • Navigates to avoid marine hazards such as reefs, outlying shoals, and shallow waters, using aids to navigation such as lights, lighthouses, and buoys.

Safety & Security

  • Participates in onboard safety training, meetings, and drills as directed by the Captain, including fire, abandon ship, man overboard, flooding, and medical emergencies.
  • Participates in shoreside training as required by the company.
  • Relieves and/or performs gangway watch as directed by the duty schedule.
  • Maintains familiarity with the ISM Code and its requirements.
  • Maintains familiarity with all duties under the company's Safety Management System, including Emergency Response activities.

Small Boat Operations

  • Drives inflatable boats as necessary.
  • Assists with loading guests, staff, and crew in and out of inflatable boats.

Administrative

  • Maintains navigation bridge supply inventories and requisitions.
  • Performs chart and publication corrections, and maintains the vessel's chart inventory using U.S. and Canadian Coast Guard Notices to Mariners.
  • Calculates and posts daily sunrise/sunset times and tide and current information.
  • Creates the Voyage Plan waypoint spreadsheet for the Captain's review and approval, and enters voyage itinerary waypoints into GPS.
  • Creates and maintains the New Hire Checklist, ensuring each Training Officer is aware of completion deadlines for employee training.
  • Creates Training Completion Certificates for all shipboard training and sends them to the Seattle Office.
  • Maintains electronic copies of all external and shipboard training certificates for each crew member onboard.
DESIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
  • Experience as Mate operating a passenger vessel, including navigation and bridge watch responsibilities, maintaining navigation/communications equipment, and performing chart corrections.
  • Experience operating port-to-port between Southeast Alaska, the Columbia and Snake Rivers, the Gulf of California, Mexico, Costa Rica and Panama (including the Panama Canal).
  • Excellent crisis management skills; ability to act quickly with confidence while exercising sound judgment.
  • Good customer service skills: professional demeanor, ability to use necessary levels of tact and courtesy.
  • Strong time management skills; able to handle multiple tasks, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
  • Communication Skills: Must possess the ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations.
  • Mathematical Skills: Able to perform voyage planning and navigational calculations.
Licenses/Certificates
  • Minimum USCG Mate 500 GRT Near Coastal and OICNW greater than 500 GT STCW Endorsement required. 
  • Current First Aid/CPR/AED certification required.  
  • Valid TWIC card required. 
  • Valid US Passport required. 
  • Valid USCG Medical Card per STCW standards (2 years) 
  • STCW Advanced Firefighting (AFF) Certification required. 
  • STCW Basic Safety Training (BST) within last 5 years required. 
  • STCW Crowd Management (CM) required.
  • STCW Crisis Management and Human Behavior (CMHB) required. 
  • STCW Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats Other than Fast Rescue Boat (PSC) required. 
  • GMDSS License required. 
  • ECDIS required. 
  • ARPA required.
  • Radar Observer (RO) endorsement required. 
  • Department of Transportation (DOT) Specimen Collector required. 
  • ECDIS Type-Specific Training provided. 
Target salary range listed is based on experience/vessel and reflects the total daily compensation.
 
Our Benefits
Health insurance including Medical, Dental, Vision  
401(k) plan with employer match  
Room and board when scheduled
Travel Day Pay
Travel Expenses Paid
Travel benefits for employees and their family  
Uniforms Provided
Training Opportunities
 

Employment is contingent on the following:
- In compliance with U.S. Coast Guard Regulations, 46 CFR Parts 4, 5, and 16, you will be required to undergo the following drug tests: post-offer prior to start date, random, reasonable cause, and serious marine incident per US Federal guidelines.
- Pre-offer background check; employment is contingent upon the results of this screening.
- Post-offer physical examination; your employment is dependent upon being determined fit for sea duty. 
Continued employment is dependent upon consent to and passing these tests.

Lindblad Expeditions continues to highly recommend that all new hires be up to date with all vaccines prior to the first day of employment and getting boosted annually when eligible, including those vaccines that protect against COVID-19. All crew must still comply with all country-specific vaccination requirements.

Communication Skills 
Using the English language, this person must have the ability to read, write, and comprehend policies, legal guidelines, correspondence, and memos.   Must also possess the ability to effectively communicate--both in writing and orally--with a professional demeanor. 
 
PHYSICAL DEMANDS 
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and hear.  The employee will also be required to write and type. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The physical demands per position are described in the Job Analysis sheet and are available to all applicants upon request.

COMPENSATION STATEMENT
Lindblad Expeditions determines the pay for positions using local, national, and industry-specific survey data. We evaluate external equity and the cost of labor/prevailing wage index in the relative marketplace for jobs directly comparable to jobs within our company. Our posted salary range is based on national data and may be refined for a candidate's region/town/cost of living.

For new hires, we strive to make competitive offers allowing the new employee room for future growth. Salaries will be based on the applicant’s location, level of experience, education, and specialized knowledge and skills. An employee/candidate with a stronger skill set will receive higher pay.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER STATEMENT
At Lindblad Expeditions, we simply could not do our work without the diverse kaleidoscope of humanity that creates and delivers our remarkable offerings across the planet. As a Company that respects and celebrates the inherent diversity in the places we explore, we recognize the need to mirror that same diversity and all the interconnected perspectives within our organization. We are committed to building a community of different genders, races, ages, sexual orientations, chosen identities, and countries of origin where every person brings their whole self to work and whose skills, talents, and abilities are valued. We believe we can explore further and in a more meaningful way by actively creating a more diverse and inclusive organization where everyone feels they belong.

Lindblad Expeditions is an equal opportunity employer. Individuals seeking employment at Lindblad Expeditions are considered without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetics, marital status, pregnancy, unemployment status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or veteran status.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.