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Boat Building Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Boat Builder Repairer

Portsmouth, VA ยท On-site +1

$31.59 - $36.86/hr

Summary This vacancy is for a WG - 4717-8,Boat Builder Repairer located in the Department of ... Performs carpentry duties in building and remodeling office space and small structures Requirements ...

Boat Builder Repairer

Portsmouth, VA ยท On-site +1

$31.59 - $36.86/hr

Summary This vacancy is for a WG - 4717-8,Boat Builder Repairer located in the Department of ... Performs carpentry duties in building and remodeling office space and small structures Requirements ...

Issues rental paddle boats, kayaks, canoes, and other equipment at the boat rental building. * Ensures the safe operation of rental equipment and their proper return after use. * Assists with public ...

Issues rental paddle boats, kayaks, canoes, and other equipment at the boat rental building. * Ensures the safe operation of rental equipment and their proper return after use. * Assists with public ...

Marine Carpenter (Technician)

Hampton, VA ยท On-site

$21 - $28.50/hr

SHM teammates are committed to thinking critically, providing outstanding service and building ... Knowledge of wooden boat construction and repair techniques * Ability to assess the quality of ...

Apprentice Marine (Technician)

Hampton, VA ยท On-site

$16.50 - $21.25/hr

SHM teammates are committed to thinking critically, providing outstanding service and building ... Using diagnostic equipment, test and repair boat engines, hulls, propellers, rigging, masts, sails ...

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Boat Building information

See Virginia salary details

$27.8K

$97.3K

$146.7K

How much do boat building jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for boat building in Virginia is $97,304.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $77,300.00 and $119,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a typical day look like for someone working in boat building?

A typical day in boat building often involves reading design plans, preparing or shaping materials like wood or fiberglass, assembling components, and conducting quality checks to ensure safety and functionality. Employees may work individually on specialized tasks or as part of a team to bring various sections of a vessel together. The work environment can range from small artisan workshops to large shipyards, with an emphasis on both hands-on craftsmanship and project deadlines. Throughout the day, boat builders frequently collaborate with engineers, designers, and quality assurance staff to address challenges and maintain construction standards. This dynamic environment offers problem-solving opportunities and the satisfaction of seeing tangible progress on marine vessels.

How to get a job building boats?

To get a job building boats, gain experience through apprenticeships or technical training in boat building, woodworking, or marine technology. Skills in fiberglass, woodworking, and understanding of marine systems are valuable, and certifications such as OSHA safety training can improve employability. Entry-level positions often require a high school diploma or equivalent, with on-the-job training provided by employers.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Boat Building position, and why are they important?

To excel in Boat Building, a strong background in woodworking, metalworking, and marine engineering is typically required, often with experience or education in marine trades or vocational programs. Familiarity with tools such as saws, sanders, CAD design software, and, in some cases, relevant safety certifications are crucial. Attention to detail, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities are valuable soft skills in this field. Mastery of these skills ensures precision crafting, structural integrity, and efficient collaboration throughout the boat construction process.

What boat job pays the most?

In boat building, the highest-paying roles are often supervisory or specialized positions such as marine engineers, project managers, or senior shipwrights, which require advanced skills and experience. These roles can earn significantly more than entry-level positions and may involve overseeing large projects or working with complex materials and tools.

Is boat building a good career?

Boat building is a skilled trade that involves designing, constructing, and repairing boats, often requiring knowledge of woodworking, fiberglass, and marine systems. It can offer stable employment in shipyards, manufacturing facilities, or custom shops, with opportunities for specialization and certification. However, it may involve physically demanding work and exposure to environmental conditions, and job availability can vary by region and industry demand.

How much money can you make building boats?

Boat builders typically earn between $30,000 and $60,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the complexity of the boats they construct. Skilled workers with certifications or specialized tools can earn higher wages, especially in larger or custom boat manufacturing facilities.

What is a Boat Building job?

A Boat Building job involves constructing, repairing, and maintaining boats using materials such as wood, fiberglass, or metal. Boat builders work with blueprints, tools, and machinery to assemble hulls, decks, and interiors. They may specialize in certain types of boats, such as sailboats, yachts, or commercial vessels. Skills in carpentry, welding, and fiberglass work are often required. This job can be performed in boatyards, manufacturing facilities, or custom workshops.

What are the most commonly searched types of Boat Building jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Boat Building jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Boat Building jobs in Virginia? For Boat Building jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Boat Building jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Boat Building jobs in Virginia are:
Infographic showing various Boat Building job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 2% Temporary. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $97,304 per year, or $46.8 per hour.

Boat Builder Repairer

U.S. Coast Guard

Portsmouth, VA โ€ข On-site, Remote

$31.59 - $36.86/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 10 days ago


Job description

Summary
This vacancy is for a WG - 4717-8,Boat Builder Repairer located in the Department of Homeland Security,
U.S. Coast Guard, INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION FACILITY PORTSMOUTH in PORTSMOUTH, Virginia.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
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You will serve as a Boat Builder Repairer and be responsible for constructing and repairing fiberglass, and plywood hulls of small craft and vessels. The work includes fitting replacement planks, ribs, keelson, deadwood and keel; caulking seams; repairing decks and topsides; replacing canvas and molding; installing deadlights, metal or wood coatings, and marine hardware; and boring shaft logs and constructing cradles to fit hulls.
Being a Coast Guard civilian makes you a valuable member of the Coast Guard team. Typical work assignments include:
  • Restoring watertight integrity by caulking and renewal of integral hull members including frames, decking, sterns, gunwales, guards, keel sections and engraving pieces
  • Builds boat chocks, keel blocks, and bilge blocks used for supporting small boats when they are docked for repairs and occasionally performs related carpentry duties
  • Performs carpentry duties in building and remodeling office space and small structures

Requirements
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Conditions of employment
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
Do NOT include the following types of information in your resume:
  • Social Security Number (SSN)
  • Date of Birth (DOB)
  • Photos of yourself (if included on your resume you will not be considered for this position)
  • Personal information: such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.

Key Requirements:
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen.
  • Must be registered or exempt from the Selective Service. See www.sss.gov
  • A one-year probationary period may be required.
  • To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation. This position does not require a clearance.
  • This is not a Bargaining Unit position.
  • Selectee must be able to obtain/maintain a valid state driver's license.
  • Selectee subject to successful completion of pre-employment medical exam.
  • All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit.

The Office of Personnel management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule, C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.
Qualifications
Applicants will be evaluated on their ability to perform the duties of the position rather than the length of experience. Eligibility will be determined by the relevance, scope, and quality of all experience and training, regardless of where or how acquired.
Applicants will be rated and ranked based on their knowledge of the following job elements:
Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision (SCREEN-OUT ELEMENT)
Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Includes Blueprint Reading)
Dexterity and Safety
Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, and Repair, etc.
Technical Practices (Theoretical, Precise, Artistic)
Knowledge of Materials
National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social).Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Education
This position does not have a positive education requirement. If you are including education on your resume, report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. See Required Documents section for detail.
Are you qualifying based on education? Submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable) from an accredited institution. Once selected & prior to appointment, applicants must provide an official college transcript. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. (see FOREIGN EDUCATION below).
FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. To receive this credit, you must submit evidence of equivalency as provided by a credentialling evaluation service. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications click here
Only experience obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.
Additional information
E-Verify
DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.
Fair Chance Act
The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Homeland Security and its Components from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code ยง 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R ยง 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to daniel.t.benton@uscg.mil.
Suitability Statement
If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.
Shared Certificates Statement
Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.
Special Employment Consideration
The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u), and or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps, VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.
If you need a reasonable accommodation for the application and hiring process, please contact daniel.t.benton@uscg.mil. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Visit Reasonable Accommodation
More than 1 selection may be made from this announcement if additional identical vacancies in the same title, series, grade, and unit occur within 45 days from the date the certificate was issued.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays.
Other benefits may include flexible work schedules; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select "Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service- connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.