ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

River Barge Cook Jobs (NOW HIRING)

TerralRiver Service

BOAT PILOT

Lettsworth, LA · On-site

... sounds, rivers, lakes, bays and other navigable bodies of water. * Responsible for crew safety ... Must perform other duties such as engineer, oiler, deckhand, and cook as required. Requirements:

Terral RiverService

BOAT PILOT

Lettsworth, LA · On-site

... sounds, rivers, lakes, bays and other navigable bodies of water. * Responsible for crew safety ... Must perform other duties such as engineer, oiler, deckhand, and cook as required. Requirements ...

Terral RiverService

BOAT PILOT - FLEET

Blytheville, AR · On-site

$21.75 - $29/hr

... sounds, rivers, lakes, bays and other navigable bodies of water. * Responsible for crew safety ... Must perform other duties such as engineer, oiler, deckhand, and cook as required. Requirements ...

Terral RiverService

BOAT PILOT

Channelview, TX · On-site

... sounds, rivers, lakes, bays and other navigable bodies of water. * Responsible for crew safety ... Must perform other duties such as engineer, oiler, deckhand, and cook as required. Requirements ...

TerralRiver Service

BOAT PILOT - FLEET

Blytheville, AR · On-site

... sounds, rivers, lakes, bays and other navigable bodies of water. * Responsible for crew safety ... Must perform other duties such as engineer, oiler, deckhand, and cook as required. Requirements:

previous page

Showing results 41-53

All JobsTravel JobsMaritime JobsRiver Barge Cook Jobs

River Barge Cook information

See salary details

$8

$16

$22

How much do river barge cook jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for river barge cook in the United States is $16.03, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.46 and $18.03 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a river barge cook?

River Barge Cooks are culinary professionals responsible for preparing meals for the crew and sometimes passengers aboard river barges. They plan menus, order supplies, maintain food safety standards, and cook a variety of meals in often limited kitchen spaces. Their work is essential to the well-being and morale of everyone on board, especially during long trips. River Barge Cooks must be adaptable, as they often work with limited resources and face unique challenges related to storage and equipment. Their role requires good organizational skills, creativity, and the ability to work independently.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a river barge cook, and why are they important?

To thrive as a River Barge Cook, you need experience in meal planning, food preparation, and safe food handling, often supported by a food safety certification. Familiarity with galley kitchen equipment, inventory management systems, and basic maritime safety procedures is typically required. Adaptability, strong time management, and the ability to work independently in confined spaces are vital soft skills for this role. These skills are important to ensure nutritious, timely meals for crew members in challenging, resource-limited environments.

What are some unique challenges river barge cooks face compared to land-based culinary roles?

River Barge Cooks often work in compact kitchens with limited storage, requiring strong organizational skills and adaptability. They must plan meals carefully to accommodate long stretches between resupply stops and adapt to variable crew sizes or dietary needs. Additionally, barge cooks collaborate closely with the vessel's crew to coordinate meal times around shifting work schedules and ensure food safety standards are consistently met, even while underway.

What is the difference between River Barge Cook vs Deckhand?

AspectRiver Barge CookDeckhand
CertificationsFood safety, maritime safetyBasic safety training, maritime safety
Work EnvironmentKitchen on river barges, confined spaceDeck, outdoor, variable weather
Job ResponsibilitiesPreparing meals, kitchen managementDeck maintenance, cargo handling

While both roles operate on river vessels, a River Barge Cook focuses on meal preparation and kitchen duties, requiring culinary skills and safety certifications. A Deckhand handles deck operations, maintenance, and cargo tasks, with safety training being essential. The roles differ in daily tasks but share maritime safety requirements and work environments on river vessels.

What are popular job titles related to River Barge Cook jobs?

For River Barge Cook jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various River Barge Cook job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 66% Full Time, 33% Part Time, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $33,340 per year, or $16 per hour.

BOAT PILOT

Lettsworth, LA • On-site

TerralRiver Service
See more jobs at TerralRiver Serviceexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 29 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Commands and steers the pushboat to navigate vessels into and out of various waterways while avoiding hazards.

  • Ensures vessel and crew safety by following safety practices and policies, and supervises or assists with deck operations and maintenance tasks.

  • Utilizes navigation devices and aids to determine course and towing speed, and directs the placement of equipment such as suction hoses or siphons.

Job description

Description:

Position Summary:

Terral RiverService, Inc. is currently looking for U.S. Coast Guard licensed Captains/Pilots for our fleets and line boats. Experience is preferred but not required. TRS has a very aggressive training program for intercompany advancement. 


Essential Job Functions:

  • Commands pushboat.
  • Commands pushboat while towing barges, ships, rigs and other vessels into and out of harbors, estuaries, straits, sounds, rivers, lakes, bays and other navigable bodies of water.
  • Responsible for crew safety, vessel and tow operations through use of Terral RiverService, Inc safety practices and policies.
  • Occasionally supervises or assists workers on deck to rig towlines.
  • Determines course and towing speed on basis of specialized knowledge of local winds, weather, tides and current.
  • Steers pushboat to push or pull vessels to destination and to berth and un-berth ships avoiding reefs, outlying shoals, and other hazards to shipping.
  • Utilizes navigation devices, such as radar, sonic depth finder, compass and sextant and other aids to navigation, such as lighthouses and buoys
  • Directs and occasionally assists in placement of suction hose or siphon to pump water from hold of barge
  • Directs and assists in performance of general maintenance work.
  • Ensuring all vessel personnel adhere to all U.S. Coast Guard and company policies
  • Occasionally supervises or assists in operation of all vessel equipment
  • Position is required to hold current license issued by U. S. Coast Guard as designated according to waters navigated and size of pushboat
  • Must perform other duties such as engineer, oiler, deckhand, and cook as required.
Requirements:

Experience, Skills, and Education:

  • At least eighteen (18) years of age.
  • Must be a high school graduate or equivalent.
  • Must have or be able to obtain and maintain a TWIC.
  • Must have a current USCG Master of Towing Vessel license or higher.
  • Have a Radar endorsement or Radar Certification
  • Be CPR & 1st Aid Certified
  • Have proficient computer skills to include E-mail, internet browsers, and navigational systems Knowledge of the Ohio, Tennessee, Cumberland, Tenn-Tom, Tombigbee, Black Warrior, LMR, Red, Black, Ouachita, Atchafalaya, and/or GIWW rivers and waterways are highly preferred.
  • Must have dependable transportation to designated TRS locations, no exceptions. Must be able to work various hours/holidays/weekends.

Physical Requirements

  • Must pass "fit for duty" requirements upon job offer (pre-employment physical and drug test).
  • The employee must meet physical requirements including but not limited to, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, climbing up/down ladders and stairs, negotiating uneven and moving surfaces.
  • Must be able to work in difficult conditions with exposure to all weather conditions (rain, ice, snow, wind, heat, etc.).
  • Must be comfortable working aboard boats and barges.
  • Ability to lift up to 75 pounds and work at protected heights up to 40 feet.
  • Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Note: This job description provides a general overview of the typical responsibilities and qualifications for a Boat Pilot. Actual job requirements may vary based on the specific needs of the organization and industry standards.


About Terral RiverService, Inc: 

Terral RiverService (TRS) is a Family-owned business with a continually growing footprint of boats and barges throughout most of the inland waterway system of the US. We specialize in bulk storage, material handling, river, road and rail logistics along the Mississippi River system, the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and the inland waterways of Louisiana and southern Arkansas. With our growing fleet of push boats, river barges, and modern dock operations strategically located throughout the Lower Mississippi River Valley, we are outfitted to transport, handle, and store virtually any commodity needed in the marketplace. TRS has over 600 employees and has operations in multiple states.

Apply