1

Ferry Captain Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

Ferry Captain information

See Texas salary details

$8

$34

$71

How much do ferry captain jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for ferry captain in Texas is $34.77, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.11 and $38.51 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a ferry captain?

A Ferry Captain is responsible for operating and navigating a ferry to transport passengers, vehicles, or cargo across bodies of water safely. They manage the vessel's crew, oversee maintenance, and ensure compliance with maritime regulations. Their duties also include monitoring weather conditions, plotting secure routes, and responding to emergencies. Strong leadership, navigational expertise, and safety awareness are essential for this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a ferry captain?

To thrive as a Ferry Captain, you need comprehensive maritime navigation skills, vessel handling experience, and typically a valid captain’s license such as a USCG Master or Mate License. Familiarity with radar, GPS, electronic chart systems, and maritime communication devices is essential, along with knowledge of safety protocols and regulatory compliance. Leadership, clear communication, and strong decision-making skills are vital for managing crews and ensuring passenger safety under varying conditions. These capabilities are critical for safely transporting passengers and vehicles while maintaining efficient operations and compliance with maritime regulations.

What are the typical work schedules and team structures for ferry captains?

Ferry Captains often work in shifts that may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays, depending on the ferry route and company schedule. They typically lead a team that includes deckhands, engineers, and customer service staff, ensuring smooth vessel operations and passenger experience. Coordination with shore-side personnel, port authorities, and emergency services is also a regular part of the job. This collaborative environment requires strong leadership and adaptability to handle changing schedules and unexpected challenges on the water.

How do I become a ferry captain?

To become a ferry captain, you typically need to obtain a merchant mariner credential with a master license, which requires sea service experience, passing written exams, and completing safety training. Candidates often start as deckhands or mates, gaining experience on vessels, and must meet age and health requirements. Certification standards vary by region but generally include a combination of sea time, training, and licensing from maritime authorities.

How do you become a ferry captain?

To become a ferry captain, you typically need to obtain a merchant mariner credential with a master license, which requires relevant sea service experience, passing written exams, and completing approved training. Candidates often start as deckhands or mates, gaining experience on vessels, and must meet age, health, and background check requirements. Certification standards vary by region but generally include demonstrating navigation, safety, and vessel operation skills.

What are popular job titles related to Ferry Captain jobs in Texas?

For Ferry Captain jobs in Texas, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Ferry Captain jobs in Texas look for?

The top searched job categories for Ferry Captain jobs in Texas are:

What cities in Texas are hiring for Ferry Captain jobs?

Cities in Texas with the most Ferry Captain job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Ferry Captain jobs in TX?

For Ferry Captain jobs in TX, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Ferry Captain job openings in Texas as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $72,320 per year, or $34.8 per hour.

Full-time

Posted 14 days ago


Texas Department Of Transportation rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 39 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

197th of 848 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

Performs highly responsible work as deck maintenance supervisor for the ferry system. Assists in the supervision of all deck personnel including captains, deck crews and deck maintenance personnel. Plans and monitors all deck maintenance work. Makes recommendations and/or decisions which are critical to the unit's operational readiness for continuous, all weather, ferry operations consistent with the demands of vehicular traffic. Reports to the Ferry Manager and assists in all personnel matters. Works as a relief ferry captain as assigned. Work requires frequent contact with the public and various local, state and federal advisory and regulatory entities. Employees at this level establish their own work plan and priorities to meet set objectives. Issues are rarely referred to the supervisor but are handled at the occurrence.

Essential Duties:

  • Assumes ferry operations and support functions in the absence of manager or assistant manager.
  • Assists the Ferry Operation Manager and Assistant Ferry Manager in all areas of personnel management including scheduling, hiring, completion of performance evaluations and discipline.
  • Assists with overseeing physical inventories of reportable property and materials.
  • Ensures personnel are trained and follow policies and procedures relating to completion of reports, records, work requests, documentation for machinery history, safety and current vessel and facility maintenance projects. 
  • Ensures strict compliance with the Federal Waters Pollution Control Act.
  • Monitors and inspects vessels shore facilities, equipment and work areas; identifies hazards and promotes on-the-spot corrections and identifies ways to correct the hazards and devises methods to improve safe working conditions.
  • Monitors safety practices of ferry crews and deck maintenance crews. 
  • Provides input into preparation of the unit-operating budget.
  • Recommends/approves formal training requests for departmental personnel. 
  • Reports to the supervisor on matters affecting the operational capability of the unit, engineering, maintenance or repair requirements of concern. 
  • Serves as primary enforcement authority for State Regulations Governing Operation of the Ferries. 
  • Supervises captains and deck personnel, as assigned. 
  • Works as a relief captain, as assigned.
  • Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor's Degree in a related discipline.  Relevant work experience may be substituted for degree on a year per year basis OR related graduate level education may be substituted for experience on year per year basis. Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications 

Experience: 5 years of experience in marine operations. (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent).

Supervisory experience:

  • No supervisory experience required.

Licenses and Certifications:

  • Valid driver's license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.
  • Vessel Crew Member Cert
  • Must have required US Coast Guard (USCG) certifications an/or documents appropriate for the position and vessel being operated. 
  • USCG Lic-Mas-S&L Ves -100 Tons
  • Transp Worker ID Cred - TWIC

Competencies:

Extensive knowledge of:

  • Marine operations.
  • Applicable laws, rules, and regulations

Expert skill in:

  • Fire fighting.

Considerable Knowledge of:

  • Applicable inspection methods, procedures and techniques.
  • Methods and procedures used in the maintenance and repair of marine equipment, machinery, facilities and ferryboats.
  • Emergency response procedures.
  • Applicable industry safety standards, guidelines and specification codes.

Proficient skill in:

  • Overseeing and coordinating projects and program activities.
  • Prioritizing and organizing work assignments.
  • Preparing and maintaining confidential and sensitive records, files and reports.
  • Training in a classroom, office, or field environment.
  • Navigating ferryboats.
  • Using applicable hand and power tools, equipment and mechanical devices of the trade.
  • Maintaining a safe and effective working relationship with others.

Ability to:

  • Work in varying conditions to include heavy traffic, overhead power lines and underground utilities.
  • Work in cramped spaces (bend, stoop, crawl) and at varied heights.

Some skill in:

  • Supervising technical staff.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

    Subject to extreme cold and heat; below 32 and/or above 100 degrees for more than one hour.
    Subject to noise.
    Subject to vibration.
    Subject to hazards-moving vehicles/mechanical parts, high places/heat, or chemicals. 
    Subject to atmospheric conditions-fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, poor ventilation.
    Subject to air and/or skin exposure to oils and other cutting fluids.
    Required to wear protective gear-respirator, hard hat, or other device.
    Woks in narrow aisles or passageways. 
Sedentary work:
    Lift up to 10 lbs. at a time and occasionally carry files/small tools.
Light work:
    Lift up to 20 lbs. at a time and frequently lift or carry objects up to 10 lbs.
Medium work:
    Lift up to 50 lbs. at a time and frequently lift or carry objects up to 25 lbs.
    Climbing - ascending/descending ladders, stairs, scaffoldings, ramps, etc.
    Balancing-walking, standing, crouching on various surfaces without falling.
    Stooping-bending body downward and forward by bending spine at waist.
    Kneeling-bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee(s).
    Crouching-bending body downward and forward by bending leg(s) and spine.
    Crawling-moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet.
    Reaching-extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
    Standing-prolonged periods of time.
    Walking-moving on foot to accomplish tasks: long distance/from one work site to another.
    Pushing-using upper extremities to press against object with force to move in a direction.
    Pulling-using upper extremities to exert force moving objects in a sustained motion.
    Lifting-raising objects from lower to higher position/horizontally to a different position.
    Grasping-applying pressure to an object with fingers and palm.
    Feeling-determining size, shape, temperature or texture of objects.
    Talking-expressing or exchanging ideas by spoken words.
    Hearing-perceive sound at normal speaking levels; receive information by oral communication.
    Repetitive Motion-substantial movements of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
    Close Visual Acuity-work includes data/figures; view a computer screen; extensive reading.
    Close Visual Acuity-work includes visual inspection of small defects/parts.
    Close Visual Acuity-using measurement devices; and/or assembly or fabrication parts.
    Visual Acuity-operate machines, such as drill presses, power saws, and mills.
    Visual Acuity-operate motor vehicles and/or heavy equipment.
    Visual Acuity-determine work quality/make general observations of facilities/structures.

Conditions of Employment:

Please click this link to read the standard conditions of employment for all positions: Standard Conditions of Employment (TxDOT)

  • This job has been identified as physically demanding and will require a pre-employment physical. 
  • Must pass a drug test prior to employment forsafetyimpactpositions.This is a Safety Impact position and will be subject to random drug testing.
    • Please note that the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulation - 49 CFR Part 40, at 40.151(e) - does not authorize "medical marijuana" under a state law to be a valid medical explanation for a positive drug test result for an employee in this position.

What Texas Department Of Transportation employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom