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Boat Operator Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

Spencer Construction

Boat Operator - LRT3

Laredo, TX · On-site

$17.50 - $23/hr

Job Summary The Air Boat Operator is responsible for safely operating and maintaining air boats to support heavy civil construction and waterborne project operations. This role will transport ...

CCMC

Boat Captain

Cypress, TX

Operating a motor-driven boat to carry passengers * Following all safety protocols for loading and unloading * Ensuring all equipment is maintained * Cleaning the boat * Distributing life jackets and ...

CCMC Community Management

Boat Captain

Cypress, TX · On-site

Operating a motor-driven boat to carry passengers * Following all safety protocols for loading and unloading * Ensuring all equipment is maintained * Cleaning the boat * Distributing life jackets and ...

CCMC Community Management

Boat Captain

Cypress, TX · On-site

Operating a motor-driven boat to carry passengers * Following all safety protocols for loading and unloading * Ensuring all equipment is maintained * Cleaning the boat * Distributing life jackets and ...

CCMC Community Management

Boat Captain

Cypress, TX

Operating a motor-driven boat to carry passengers * Following all safety protocols for loading and unloading * Ensuring all equipment is maintained * Cleaning the boat * Distributing life jackets and ...

CCMC

Boat Captain

Cypress, TX · On-site

Operating a motor-driven boat to carry passengers * Following all safety protocols for loading and unloading * Ensuring all equipment is maintained * Cleaning the boat * Distributing life jackets and ...

Schneider

Boat Captain

Houston, TX

A minimum of 3 years of Boat Captain experience and master boat license for tugboat is required ... Must know the "Rules of the Road" for operating vessels on inland waterways. * Be proficient in the ...

Orion Marine Group

Boat Captain

Houston, TX

A minimum of 3 years of Boat Captain experience and master boat license for tugboat is required ... Must know the "Rules of the Road" for operating vessels on inland waterways. * Be proficient in the ...

TAS Concrete

Boat Captain

Houston, TX · On-site

A minimum of 3 years of Boat Captain experience and master boat license for tugboat is required ... Must know the "Rules of the Road" for operating vessels on inland waterways. * Be proficient in the ...

Orion Group Holdings, Inc.

Boat Captain

Houston, TX · On-site

A minimum of 3 years of Boat Captain experience and master boat license for tugboat is required ... Must know the "Rules of the Road" for operating vessels on inland waterways. * Be proficient in the ...

Southwest Shipyard Lp

Boat Mechanic

Channelview, TX · On-site

The Boat Mechanic is responsible for inspecting, diagnosing, repairing, and maintaining mechanical ... operated at our shipyard. WORK SCHEDULE Regular attendance and punctuality are required of all ...

Southwest Shipyard Lp

Boat Mechanic

Channelview, TX

The Boat Mechanic is responsible for inspecting, diagnosing, repairing, and maintaining mechanical ... operated at our shipyard. WORK SCHEDULE Regular attendance and punctuality are required of all ...

Russell Marine LLC

Boat Captain

Ingleside, TX · On-site

The Boat Captain will operate a variety of marine vessels in support of the construction or repair ... Six(6) months of experience operating tug boats/marine vessels. * Knowledge/Skills/Abilities (KSA)

Russell Marine LLC

Boat Captain

Channelview, TX · On-site

The Boat Captain will operate a variety of marine vessels in support of the construction or repair ... Six(6) months of experience operating tug boats/marine vessels. * Knowledge/Skills/Abilities (KSA)

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Boat Operator information

See Texas salary details

$10

$19

$27

How much do boat operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for boat operator in Texas is $19.15, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.02 and $22.16 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by a boat operator on a daily basis?

Boat Operators often encounter challenges such as adapting to rapidly changing weather conditions, ensuring passenger safety, and maintaining strict adherence to navigational rules. They must remain vigilant for hazards like other vessels, submerged objects, or mechanical issues. Effective communication and teamwork with crew members are essential for smooth operations, especially during high-traffic periods or emergency situations. Developing strong problem-solving skills and staying calm under pressure are key aspects of succeeding in this role.

What does a boat operator do?

The responsibilities of a boat operator include using knowledge of winds, weather, water depths, and currents to pilot a motorboat, private watercraft (PWC), or other watercraft safely. In this career, you load and transport various pieces of equipment, supplies, or passengers and maintain communication with boat crew, other ships, and harbor patrol. Other duties may be to navigate the vessel in and out of harbors and docks and fender, moor, and anchor the vessel at the destination. You consult maps, charts, weather reports, and navigation equipment, give directions to crew members, and update logs required by the USCG and management. You are also expected to maintain safety equipment such as fire extinguishers, boat fenders, and pumps, as well as service motors and direct boat maintenance and cleaning.

What does a boat operator do?

A Boat Operator is responsible for navigating and operating boats or other watercraft safely and efficiently. Their duties often include steering the vessel, monitoring weather and water conditions, ensuring the safety of passengers and cargo, and performing routine maintenance checks. Boat Operators may work on different types of boats, such as ferries, fishing vessels, or tour boats, and must comply with maritime laws and safety regulations. They often need specialized training and licensing depending on the size and type of vessel they operate.

What is the difference between Boat Operator vs Marine Deckhand?

AspectBoat OperatorMarine Deckhand
CertificationsBoating safety, boat handling licensesSTCW certifications, safety training
Work EnvironmentOn boats, marinas, docksOn ships, docks, offshore
Employer & IndustryMarinas, tour companies, fishing chartersCommercial shipping, cargo, cruise lines

While both roles involve working on boats, a Boat Operator primarily focuses on navigating and operating vessels, often in recreational or small commercial settings. A Marine Deckhand assists with vessel maintenance, cargo handling, and safety procedures, typically in larger, commercial maritime environments. Understanding these differences helps job seekers find the right position based on their skills and certifications.

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Boat Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Boat Operator job openings in Texas as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 53% Full Time, 45% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $39,836 per year, or $19.2 per hour.

Boat Operator

Carlsen Mooring & Marine Services LLC

Beaumont, TX • On-site

$150 - $250/day

Full-time

Medical, Vision, Retirement

Re-posted 16 hours ago

Job description

Benefits:
  • 401(k)
  • Health insurance
  • Opportunity for advancement
  • Vision insurance
  • Wellness resources

Role Objectives: duties are performed at a variety of fixed water and water edge structures where ocean vessels and barges are moored and aboard floating lineman boats.  Works in 2-6 men crews to conduct mooring and unmooring operations of vessels as well as launch services. 
Key Responsibilities:
  • Captain/Boatman duties are performed at a variety of fixed water and water edge structures where ocean vessels and barges are moored and aboard floating linemen boats.
  • Operation of Linemen Mooring Boats.
  • Launch services as required.
  • Maintain desired courses, using navigational aids and steering mechanisms to guide boats.
  • Arrange repairs, fuel, and supplies for vessels.
  • Maintain equipment such as range markers, fire extinguishers, boat fenders, lines, pumps, and fittings.
  • Utilizes hand signals and verbal commands to ensure dock safety of crew.
  • Inspects and reports visual and auditory indications of line fraying, separation, or failure.
  • Never stands between a mooring line and quay edge.
  • Never stand in bight of any line.
  • Works in all types of weather elements.
  • Climbing vertical ladders to get on/off boats, docks, piers, wharves, dolphins and walkways.
  • Climbing descending water edge inclines of varying steepness, length, and construction ie Earth, rock, concrete, wood.
  • Manually pulling/pushing/lifting/dragging vessel/barge mooring lines from water to a mooring bollard/bit/cleat ashore or vice versa.
  • Identify best practices for training needs.

Knowledge/Skill Requirements:
  • Organizational skills
  • Initiative
  • Able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
  • Problem solving
  • Planning
  • Active listening
  • Service orientation
  • Marine Operations
  • Customer Service

Education/Exerience:
  • High School degree or equivalent or another related field required.
  • Boat operator certification required.
  • Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV) Upon Near Coastal Waters  
  • Current TWIC
  • Hazard Awareness Training
  • Valid Driver’s License

Physical Requirements: 
  • Required to ascend and descend ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, lift, pull, drag, reach; stand, walk, talk, hear and swim
  • Must exert up to 50 pounds of force/lifting/dragging, up to 150 pounds, and an amount of force constantly to move objects
  • Close visual acuity is required to perform activities such as analyzing figures, viewing a computer terminal, extensive reading, visual inspection, and using measurement devices
  • Worker is subject to environmental conditions both inside and outside, with no effective protection from weather, with sufficient noise to cause the worker to shout to be heard, and to physical hazards, such as moving parts, vehicles, electricity, heights, and large bodies of deep water

Working Conditions: 
  • Outdoors and indoors, day and night, as well as over/near water.
  • Requires working on or near moving equipment and vibrating equipment.
  • Frequently the humidity is above 90%, noise is over 85 decibels, and the light is intense/glare.
  • Potential exposure to open fire/flames/sparks.
  • Constant exposure to airborne dust, fumes, and gases.
  • Work surface is stable, height is elevated.
  • Worker is subject to environmental conditions both inside and outside, with no effective protection from weather, with sufficient noise to cause the worker to shout to be heard, and to physical hazards, such as moving parts, vehicles, electricity, heights, and large bodies of deep water