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Inland Towing Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Cooper Marine

Crew Change Coordinator

La Place, LA · On-site

$19.25 - $25.25/hr

Cooper Marine is a leading inland towing operator specializing in bulk cargo transportation. We are committed to delivering exceptional service and maintaining the highest standards of safety and ...

Wood Resources, LLC

Towing Deckhand

Avondale, LA

Towing Deckhand For more than 70 years, WoodResources has continued to provide marine towing, ship ... Inland waterway experience preferred. PhysicalRequirements: * Candidatesmust pass a pre-employment ...

Wood Resources, LLC

Towing Deckhand

Avondale, LA · On-site

Wood Resources, LLC is an EEO Employer - M/F/Disability/Protected Veteran Status Towing Deckhand ... Inland waterway experience preferred. PhysicalRequirements: * Candidatesmust pass a pre-employment ...

Cooper Marine

Crew Change Coordinator

La Place, LA · On-site

$19.25 - $25.25/hr

Cooper Marine is a leading inland towing operator specializing in bulk cargo transportation. We are committed to delivering exceptional service and maintaining the highest standards of safety and ...

Illinois Marine Towing

Vessel Pilot

Inland, NE

Illinois Marine Towing Inland Vessel Pilot I. BASIC FUNCTION The Inland Vessel Pilot is responsible for operating Illinois Marine Towing vessels safely and efficiently while transporting barges. This ...

Illinois Marine Towing

Vessel Pilot

Joliet, IL · On-site

Illinois Marine Towing Inland Vessel Pilot I. BASIC FUNCTION The Inland Vessel Pilot is responsible for operating Illinois Marine Towing vessels safely and efficiently while transporting barges. This ...

The Cooper Group, Inc.

Crew Change Coordinator

La Place, LA · On-site

$19.25 - $25.25/hr

Cooper Marine is a leading inland towing operator specializing in bulk cargo transportation. We are committed to delivering exceptional service and maintaining the highest standards of safety and ...

Blair's Towing, Inc

Dispatcher

Laguna Hills, CA · On-site

$15 - $17/hr

Towing industry experience is a plus * Knowledge of Southern Orange County and Inland Empire is a plus * Bilingual or multilingual candidates are encouraged to apply We are a growing towing company ...

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Terral River Service Inc

TANKERMAN

Channelview, TX

$21.50 - $25/hr

Safely and efficiently carrying out the duties of a member of the deck crew onboard inland towing vessels and barges. * Performing hourly checks of the vessel and engine room and logging the activity.

Terral RiverService

TANKERMAN

Channelview, TX · On-site

$21.50 - $25/hr

Safely and efficiently carrying out the duties of a member of the deck crew onboard inland towing vessels and barges. * Performing hourly checks of the vessel and engine room and logging the activity.

TerralRiver Service

TANKERMAN

Channelview, TX · On-site

$21.50 - $25/hr

Safely and efficiently carrying out the duties of a member of the deck crew onboard inland towing vessels and barges. * Performing hourly checks of the vessel and engine room and logging the activity.

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Inland Towing information

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$24

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How much do inland towing jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for inland towing in the United States is $24.14, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.90 and $28.37 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Inland Towing Operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Inland Towing Operator, you need knowledge of navigational practices, vessel operations, and safety procedures, usually supported by a Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) and relevant endorsements. Familiarity with marine radios, GPS navigation, and towboat-specific equipment is essential for daily operations. Strong communication, teamwork, and situational awareness are vital soft skills for handling dynamic river environments and coordinating with crew. These competencies ensure safe, efficient transport of goods and compliance with maritime regulations.

What is inland towing?

Inland towing refers to the transportation of barges, ships, or other vessels along rivers, canals, and other inland waterways. This job typically involves operating towboats or tugboats to move cargo safely and efficiently between ports that are located away from the open sea. Inland towing is crucial for industries such as agriculture, petroleum, and construction, as it allows for the movement of large amounts of goods over long distances. Workers in this field need to have strong navigational skills, knowledge of maritime regulations, and the ability to work in various weather conditions.

What are some common challenges faced by inland towing professionals, and how can they be managed on the job?

Inland towing professionals often encounter challenges such as navigating narrow waterways, unpredictable weather conditions, and coordinating with lock and port authorities. These challenges require strong situational awareness, effective communication skills, and the ability to adapt quickly to changing circumstances. Working as part of a close-knit crew also means collaborating efficiently and maintaining safety standards at all times. Employers typically provide ongoing training and support to help team members manage these challenges and ensure smooth operations.

What is the difference between Inland Towing vs Marine Towing?

AspectInland TowingMarine Towing
Required CredentialsCommercial Driver's License (CDL), towing certificationsMaritime licenses, STCW certifications
Work EnvironmentRivers, lakes, inland waterwaysOpen seas, coastal areas
Employer & IndustryShipping companies, inland freight carriersMaritime shipping, port authorities

Inland Towing involves transporting vessels or cargo along rivers and lakes using tugboats or barges, requiring CDL and inland navigation skills. Marine Towing, on the other hand, involves towing ships or large vessels at sea, requiring maritime licenses and sea navigation expertise. Both roles are essential in the shipping industry but differ mainly in environment and certification requirements.

More about Inland Towing jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Inland Towing jobs? The most popular types of Inland Towing jobs are:
What job categories do people searching Inland Towing jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Inland Towing jobs are:
Inland Towing jobs near you
Infographic showing various Inland Towing job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 90% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,219 per year, or $24.1 per hour.
Master Of Towing Vessels (188)

Master Of Towing Vessels (188)

STEVENS TOWING CO INC

Yonges Island, SC • On-site

$18.75 - $25.50/hr

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

Job description

Required to possess qualities of expertness and dexterity in the domain of his/her pilotage area (inland and ocean) and must use careful navigating skill. Required to exercise reasonable care and maritime skill in performing towing services.

Directs and responsible for safe operation of vessel, tow, and cargo. Supervises crew members during vessel operating procedures and in demurrage ensuring company safety and environmental policies are followed. Maintain proper and valid vessel documentation on board vessel.

Successfully coordinate and maintain vessel maintenance with Port Engineer, and responsible for keeping maintenance records up to date. Responsible for general overall condition and upkeep of vessel.

Must be familiar with specific types of vessel operating procedures and procedures for making horsepower/tow decisions. Must have knowledge of required vessel documentation and ensure that proper and valid documentation is carried aboard vessels.

Required to know and have the ability to safely direct the STEVENS TOWING COMPANY, INC. FUELING PROCEDURES AND ENSURE THE SAFE AND CAREFUL HANDLING OF FUEL AND OTHER POLLUTANTS BY THE CREW. Responsible for pursuing an aggressive pollution prevention program.

Required to have knowledge of vessel maintenance procedures/persons responsible for maintenance/maintenance schedules/ensuring responsible persons are trained and qualified for maintenance. Must also have knowledge of procedures to correct deficiencies identified during maintenance.

Must be proficient in vessel inspection procedures/conducting in-house inspections and record keeping on a frequent basis. Must ensure responsible crew members are trained and qualified for conducting in-house inspections and record keeping. Must be able to ensure that crew members correct deficiencies identified during inspections.

Responsible for and directing crew in preparation of a tow, assembly of the towing rig, inspection, maintenance and security of tow during transit. Responsible for ensuring that all rigging is adequate and that multiple tows are configured for optimum sea keeping ability. Responsible for conducting a fire and boat drill at least weekly with an entry in the vessel's official log book relative to each fire and boat drill setting forth the date and hour, length and time of the drill.

It is the responsibility of the Captain to enforce Stevens Drug and Alcohol Policy by not tolerating any drugs, alcohol, or controlled substance aboard the vessel. The Captain is required to report any boat crew member who does not abide by the policy.

USCG MASTER OF TOWING VESSELS LICENSE (clearly stated on USCG document)

Radar Certification

STCW

TWIC

Driver's License

First Aid and CPR

Barge handling experience a must!

Mariner applicants must be found fit for duty per United States Coast Guard or International mariner physical fitness requirements for employment. In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act, should you have a disability that requires assistance and / or reasonable accommodation with the job application process, please contact Human Resources at Stevens Towing Company, Inc.

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