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Entry Level Maritime Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Deckhand Trainee

Long Beach, CA ยท On-site

$16.90/hr

Curtin Maritime is committed to creating a high paying career path for our entry level employees. Due to the diverse nature of our work, new employees can purse a career on a tug boat, from deckhand ...

Deckhand Trainee

Long Beach, CA ยท On-site

$16.90/hr

Curtin Maritime is committed to creating a high paying career path for our entry level employees. Due to the diverse nature of our work, new employees can purse a career on a tug boat, from deckhand ...

Curtin Maritime is committed to creating a high paying career path for our entry level employees. Due to the diverse nature of our work, new employees can purse a career on a tug boat, from deckhand ...

As the maritime and underwater battlespace evolves, we continue to push boundaries-driven by ... As an entry-level Accountant, you'll contribute to the accuracy and integrity of our financial ...

Position Summary Ultra Maritime is seeking a motivated Mechanical Engineer I to join our Engineering team. This entry-level position is ideal for recent graduates or early-career engineers who are ...

Position Summary Ultra Maritime is seeking a motivated Mechanical Engineer I to join our Engineering team. This entry-level position is ideal for recent graduates or early-career engineers who are ...

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Entry Level Maritime information

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How much do entry level maritime jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level maritime in the United States is $16.94, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.62 and $18.03 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an entry level maritime?

An entry-level maritime job refers to positions in the maritime industry that require little to no prior experience. These jobs often include roles such as deckhands, wipers, or ordinary seamen, where employees assist with vessel operations, maintenance, and safety procedures. Workers typically undergo on-the-job training and may need to obtain certifications like a Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) or a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC). Entry-level positions are a great way to gain experience and advance in the maritime field.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of an entry level maritime?

In an Entry Level Maritime role, daily responsibilities usually include assisting with vessel maintenance, supporting cargo operations, standing watch, and following safety protocols. You may also help with routine cleaning, preventive maintenance, and learning to operate basic equipment under supervision. Most new hires work closely with experienced crew members, providing valuable opportunities to learn industry practices and gain hands-on experience. This hands-on environment fosters growth and prepares individuals for more advanced roles in the maritime field.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in an entry level maritime position?

To thrive as an Entry Level Maritime professional, you need basic seamanship skills, physical fitness, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with safety equipment, basic navigation tools, and certifications such as STCW (Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping) are commonly required. Strong teamwork, communication, and adaptability are valuable soft skills for working effectively onboard. These abilities are essential for ensuring safety, efficient operations, and the ability to handle the dynamic challenges of maritime environments.

Can you become an entry level maritime with no experience?

Entry level maritime positions often do not require prior experience, as employers typically provide on-the-job training. However, candidates usually need a basic understanding of safety procedures, and obtaining certifications such as STCW or CPR can improve job prospects. Physical fitness and the ability to work in a team environment are also important.

How to start a career in entry level maritime?

To start a career in entry-level maritime roles, obtain relevant certifications such as STCW and a maritime safety training course, and gain basic knowledge of navigation, safety procedures, and ship operations. Entry-level positions often require a high school diploma or equivalent and may involve on-the-job training or apprenticeships aboard ships or at maritime training centers.

What are entry-level maritime jobs?

Entry-level maritime jobs include positions such as deckhands, able seamen, and entry-level marine technicians. These roles typically require basic safety training, certifications like STCW, and involve tasks such as maintenance, cargo handling, and assisting with vessel operations in a maritime environment.

What is the easiest job to start at with no experience in the entry level maritime industry?

Entry-level maritime jobs such as deckhand or entry-level steward are often the easiest to start with no prior experience. These roles typically require basic physical fitness, the ability to follow safety protocols, and may offer on-the-job training, making them accessible for newcomers to the industry.
More about Entry Level Maritime jobs

What cities are hiring for Entry Level Maritime jobs?

Cities with the most Entry Level Maritime job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Maritime jobs?

The most popular types of Maritime jobs are:

What states have the most Entry Level Maritime jobs?

States with the most job openings for Entry Level Maritime jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Entry Level Maritime jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level Maritime jobs are:

Infographic showing various Entry Level Maritime job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 99% Full Time, and 1% Part Time. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $35,227 per year, or $16.9 per hour.

Talent Acquisition Specialist

Houston, TX โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement

Re-posted 15 days ago


Job description

Benefits:
  • 401(k)
  • 401(k) matching
  • Dental insurance
  • Health insurance

Role Objectives:  Responsible for full-cycle recruiting for all role types, from niche maritime sales and leadership roles to high-volume entry level operational roles while simultaneously developing and executing targeted sourcing strategies for hard-to-fill maritime sales professionals, quickly learning the maritime industry, partnering closely with both sales and operations leadership, and thriving in a fast-paced, metrics-driven environment. 
Key Responsibilities:

  • Manage full-cycle recruiting for both niche sales roles and high-volume entry level maritime positions.
  • Support employee lifecycle, onboarding, annual reviews, and offboarding.
  • Source, screen, interview, and extend offers for 15-20+ entry level hires per month.
  • Execute strategic sourcing campaigns for maritime sales roles using competitor mapping, LinkedIn Sales Navigator, industry associations, and direct outreach.
  • Coordinate interviews, collect feedback, and manage offer negotiations and pre-employment requirements (e.g., TWIC cards, drug screens, medical exams, background checks).
  • Partner with sales leadership to define role profiles, compensation benchmarks, and interview processes for niche sales roles.
  • Partner with operations supervisors to understand staffing needs, shift requirements, and basic maritime aptitude for entry level roles.
  • Provide weekly pipeline reports and data-backed recommendations to both sets of hiring managers.
  • Learn maritime industry fundamentals within 60 days (vessel types, common entry level roles, licensing basics, industry culture).
  • Build basic fluency in maritime sales to source effectively and ask credible questions.
  • Attend at least 2 maritime industry events or career fairs per year.
  • Maintain accurate, real-time data in the ATS for all requisitions.
  • Ensure all pre-employment compliance steps are completed before start dates.
  • Continuously improve recruitment processes to balance speed with quality of hire. 

Knowledge & Skill Requirements:
  • Ability to screen 50+ candidates per week, manage a large pipeline, and maintain speed without sacrificing candidate experience.
  • Ability to find passive candidates for niche roles using LinkedIn, industry forums, direct outreach, and networking.
  • Comfortable switching between "speed mode" (entry level) and "hunter mode" (sales roles) daily.
  • Willingness to learn a new, technical industry quickly. No prior maritime experience required, but intellectual curiosity is mandatory.
  • Clear, direct, and professional with both sales leaders and operations supervisors.
  • Able to manage 15-25 open requisitions simultaneously across two very different role types.
  • Experience with any major ATS.
  • Familiarity with pre-employment screening processes (backgrounds, drug tests, physicals). 

Experience & Education Requirements:
  • 2–5 years of full-cycle recruiting experience.
  • Demonstrated success in a high-volume recruiting environment (e.g., logistics, manufacturing, hospitality, trades, or staffing agency).
  • Demonstrated experience recruiting non-entry level or hard-to-fill roles (sales, technical, licensed, or professional roles accepted).
  • Experience with pre-employment compliance requirements (TWIC, DOT physicals, background checks).
  • Bachelor's degree preferred but not required with equivalent experience. 
Physical Requirements: 
  • Requires repetitive motion, hearing, talking, grasping, and sitting.
  • Workers are required to have close visual acuity to perform activities such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing, viewing a computer terminal, and extensive reading.
  • Worker is not subject to adverse environmental conditions as work is performed in an office.
  • Must be able to lift 25 pounds at times. 

Flexible work from home options available.