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Merchant Marine Pilot Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

MATE TUG CLASS I

Detroit, MI · On-site +1

$48.44 - $56.50/hr

Coast Guard Merchant Marine Credential endorsements of: a Mate of Self-propelled vessels not ... Work is performed inside and outside of the pilot house, on deck and in other locations of the ...

Merchant Marine Pilot information

See Michigan salary details

$47.5K

$126K

$235.3K

How much do merchant marine pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for merchant marine pilot in Michigan is $125,972.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $87,200.00 and $200,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Merchant Marine Pilot?

Merchant Marine Pilots are highly trained maritime professionals responsible for navigating ships through hazardous or congested waters, such as harbors, rivers, or canals. They board vessels to guide them safely to their destinations, using their extensive knowledge of local waterways, currents, and regulations. Merchant Marine Pilots play a crucial role in ensuring the safe and efficient movement of ships, preventing accidents and protecting the environment. They typically work with both domestic and international ships and must maintain specialized licenses and credentials.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Merchant Marine pilot?

To thrive as a Merchant Marine Pilot, you need in-depth knowledge of maritime navigation, ship handling, and local waterway regulations, supported by a relevant license from the U.S. Coast Guard or equivalent authority. Familiarity with radar, GPS, electronic chart display systems (ECDIS), and communication equipment is crucial for safe vessel operations. Excellent situational awareness, decision-making, and clear communication skills help pilots work effectively with ship crews and harbor personnel. These skills are vital to ensure the safe and efficient movement of vessels, prevent accidents, and protect marine environments.

What are some common challenges faced by Merchant Marine pilots during vessel navigation and how are they addressed?

Merchant Marine Pilots often encounter challenges such as maneuvering large vessels through congested or narrow waterways, unpredictable weather conditions, and coordinating with ship crews from diverse backgrounds. To address these challenges, pilots rely on advanced navigational technology, maintain clear communication with onboard teams and harbor authorities, and continually update their knowledge of local waterways. Ongoing training and simulation exercises also help pilots stay prepared for unexpected situations, ensuring safe and efficient vessel transit.

What is the difference between Merchant Marine Pilot vs Marine Engineer?

AspectMerchant Marine PilotMarine Engineer
CredentialsMerchant Mariner Credential with pilot endorsementsEngineering licenses or certifications, such as a Third Assistant Engineer license
Work EnvironmentBridge of ships, navigating and steering vesselsEngine rooms, maintaining and operating ship machinery
Employer & IndustryShipping companies, ports, maritime transportationShip operators, maritime engineering firms

Merchant Marine Pilots primarily navigate ships through ports and waterways, requiring navigation credentials, while Marine Engineers focus on maintaining ship engines and systems. Both roles are essential in maritime operations but differ in responsibilities and work environments.

How much do merchant marine pilots make?

Merchant marine pilots typically earn between $70,000 and $150,000 annually, depending on experience, vessel size, and the employer. Salaries can increase with seniority, certifications, and specialized skills such as navigation and safety procedures.

How to become a merchant marine pilot?

To become a merchant marine pilot, you typically need to obtain a U.S. Coast Guard license as a Third Mate or higher, which requires completing maritime training, accruing sea service hours, and passing written and practical exams. Additional certifications such as STCW may be required for international operations, and strong navigation, communication, and safety skills are essential. Gaining experience on ships and maintaining good physical health are also important steps in the process.

What are popular job titles related to Merchant Marine Pilot jobs in Michigan?

For Merchant Marine Pilot jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Merchant Marine Pilot jobs in Michigan look for?

The top searched job categories for Merchant Marine Pilot jobs in Michigan are:

What cities in Michigan are hiring for Merchant Marine Pilot jobs?

Cities in Michigan with the most Merchant Marine Pilot job openings:

MATE TUG CLASS I

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Detroit, MI • On-site, Remote

$48.44 - $56.50/hr

Full-time

Posted 19 days ago


Job description

Summary
This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD Workforce to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.
About the Position: Serves as Mate, of a diesel, Class I, tugboat over 65' feet in length, and displacing 500 gross tons, and has up to 2000 horsepower engine(s) or more.
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Duties
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  • Ensures vessel is prepared to sail at the scheduled time, is seaworthy, properly crewed and fitted to accomplished assigned mission.
  • Serves as timekeeper for the crew members and assists the Master to evaluate the crew's performance.
  • Navigates the vessel during assigned watch.
  • Observes weather conditions, forecasts, barometer, wind velocity, and other weather indicators to determine suitableness for operation.
  • Works from plans or field notes showing location and extent of work to be performed in removing shoals from channel. Locates area and makes necessary arrangement for accomplishing work.
  • Enforces safety regulations and instructs crew both on safety work procedures and work practices peculiar to floating plant.
  • Assigns port watches for safety and security of vessel and creates the schedule and insures equitable assignment of these duties to employees.
  • Sets port watch schedule for safety and security of vessel. Ensures equitable assignment/rotation of workers.

Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • Must have a current U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Marine Credential endorsements of: a Mate of Self-propelled vessels not including auxiliary sail of less than 500 gross register tons (GRT)upon Great Lakes and Inland Waters (or greater/equivalent).
  • Must have a current U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Marine Credential endorsements of: Master of towing vessels upon Great Lakes and inland waters (or equivalent).
  • Must have a current U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Marine Credential endorsements of: Radar Observer (Unlimited)
  • This position is covered by the Civilian Drug Abuse Testing Program. Incumbent is required to sign a DA Form 5019-R. Individual must pass drug test.
  • This position requires a pre-employment physical exam AND annual physical due to the physical requirement of the position.
  • Must possess and maintain a valid state issued motor vehicle driver's license.
  • This position requires incumbent to obtain and maintain a First Aid Certification.
  • This position requires incumbent to wear safety equipment and/or use personal protective equipment (PPE) when needed.
  • This position requires Temporary Duty Travel (TDY) up to 75% of duty time.
  • Shift work is required during open-water (lake) towing operations.

Qualifications
Who May Apply: US Citizens
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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
There is no specific length of training or experience required. However, you must be able to demonstrate, through experience shown in your written application materials that you possess the sufficient knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the work of this position without more than normal supervision.
Minimum Qualifications (Screen Out Element): Ability to do the work of a(n) MATE TUG CLASS I ~ without more than normal supervision.I have the ability to perform operations of a vessel. I can perform common maintenance to deck machinery. I work under normal supervision of a work leader or journey-level employee who observes tasks in progress and upon completion to make sure they are properly performed. - Failure to meet this Screen out Element will result in an ineligible rating.
  • PHYSICAL EFFORT
    • Work requires moderate physical effort when lifting up to 40 pounds for loading supplies, winch controls, and performing miscellaneous duties. Work requires walking up and down stairs and ladders, bending, reaching, and standing for long periods. Moderate effort is required during general maintenance work. Coordination of hands, eyes, body, and legs in needed to work safely on wet decks especially when anchored in exposed locations during storms. Close hand and eye coordination is required when operating controls to maneuver vessel and tows in traffic and in confined or narrow areas.

  • WORKING CONDITIONS
    • Work is performed inside and outside of the pilot house, on deck and in other locations of the vessel where there is danger of slipping and falling overboard and drowning. There is exposure to traffic hazards, especially during foggy and inclement weather including high winds, rough seas, and strong currents and at night; A life jacket is worn at all times while on deck. When making repairs employee is exposed to injuries resulting from working around moving machinery and in cramped quarters and may be exposed to fumes from the oil and lubricants used, danger of burns, irritation from grease and oils, bruises, and strains.
    • Responsible for operating vessel through channels, rivers and open water under conditions such as combative winds during open lake towing missions and crane operation; extreme currents in river system operations; open water operation to include over 50 miles from nearest harbor or safe refuge; critical open water operation subject to rapidly changing weather conditions, water levels, high waves, and potential for significant changes in under-keel clearance due to sudden lake level fluctuations; navigating under ice conditions during strike operation in early and late operating seasons; and operating narrow channel areas, congested vessel traffic, small shallow harbors.

Education
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
Additional information
  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
  • You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
  • One year trial/probationary period may be required.
  • Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
  • Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
  • If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
  • This is a(n) 24 Career Field position.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction/ for more information.
  • Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest.

The following special programs/incentives may be offered if it is in the best interest of the government:
  • Advanced in-hire (offered to new to federal service employees only)
  • Advanced Leave Accrual (offered to new to federal service employees only)
  • Permanent Change of Station entitlement (PCS)
  • Relocation/Recruitment Incentives

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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.
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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.

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About Army Corps of Engineers

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

National security, national security and international affairs and public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Washington, DC, US