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Riverboat Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Bally's Corporation

Riverboat Technician

Shreveport, LA · On-site

$15/hr

Makes periodic rounds of the riverboat to verify that machinery and equipment are functioning properly. Specifically checks the condition of fire and safety equipment. Takes corrective active to ...

ST CHARLES PARK DISTRICT

$32 - $35/hr

Provide information to guests about the Paddlewheel Riverboats. * Present provided historical and geographical script, as directed. * Participate in the execution of the Safety Program, including ...

Manthey Hospitality

Nashville Riverboats Host

Nashville, TN · On-site

$15/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

Host - Nashville Riverboats Manthey Hospitality | Full-Time & Part-Time | Nashville, TN Love hospitality, guest interaction, and delivering exceptional dining experiences on the water? Manthey ...

Manthey Hospitality

Nashville Riverboats Cook

Nashville, TN · On-site

$16/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

Job Type Full-time Description Line Cook - Nashville Riverboats Manthey Hospitality Nashville, TN Full-Time & Part-Time Love culinary execution, fast-paced kitchens, and creating memorable guest ...

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Riverboat information

See salary details

$11

$16

$25

How much do riverboat jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average hourly pay for riverboat in the United States is $16.72, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $17.07 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are riverboat jobs?

Riverboat jobs refer to a variety of positions available on riverboats, which are vessels designed for transportation, tourism, or entertainment on rivers. These jobs can include roles such as captain, deckhand, engineer, chef, bartender, tour guide, and housekeeping staff. Working on a riverboat often involves ensuring passenger safety, maintaining the vessel, providing hospitality services, and sometimes narrating local history or sights. Riverboat jobs can be seasonal or year-round, depending on the company and river routes. They offer a unique work environment, often with travel opportunities and the chance to work closely with a team.

What are riverboat jobs?

There are several career opportunities for someone who works on a vessel for a riverboat company. Pilots are responsible for the overall safety and operation of a riverboat as well as its crew and passengers. Another job option is working as a deckhand, whose duties and responsibilities include conducting boat repairs and maintenance, assisting passengers with boarding and unloading, and handling lines while docking. They also play a role in safely towing down a river if this becomes necessary. Depending on the size of the vessel, there are also people to help serve the guests, such as chefs, techs, stewardesses, and bartenders. More technical positions include electrical and structural engineers. There are even more positions available for working on a larger vessel, such as a cruise ship.

What are some common challenges faced by riverboat crew members, and how can they be effectively managed?

Riverboat crew members often encounter challenges such as unpredictable weather conditions, navigating narrow or busy waterways, and ensuring passenger safety. Effective communication and teamwork are essential for addressing these issues, as is thorough knowledge of emergency protocols. Training in navigation technology and regular safety drills help crew members stay prepared for unexpected situations, fostering a supportive and well-coordinated work environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a riverboat captain, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Riverboat Captain, you need a solid understanding of navigation, vessel operations, and safety protocols, typically supported by a Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) and relevant experience. Familiarity with GPS navigation systems, marine radios, and radar equipment is essential. Strong leadership, decision-making, and communication skills help manage crew and ensure passenger safety. These skills and qualifications are critical for safe vessel operation, regulatory compliance, and delivering a positive experience for passengers.

What is the difference between Riverboat vs Marine Deckhand?

AspectRiverboatMarine Deckhand
Required CertificationsSTCW, CPR, First AidSTCW, CPR, First Aid
Work EnvironmentRiver cruises, inland waterwaysOffshore vessels, ships, ports
Industry UsageTourism, hospitality on riversShipping, cargo, offshore operations

Both Riverboat operators and Marine Deckhands require similar certifications like STCW and CPR. Riverboats typically operate on inland waterways and focus on tourism, while Marine Deckhands work on offshore vessels and cargo ships. The roles differ mainly in work environment and industry focus, but share foundational maritime credentials.

How to get a job on a riverboat?

To get a job on a riverboat, applicants should have relevant experience in hospitality, navigation, or entertainment, and often need certifications such as a maritime license or safety training. Applying through cruise line or riverboat company websites, networking within the industry, and demonstrating strong customer service skills can improve chances of employment. Physical fitness and the ability to work long hours in a confined environment are also important.
More about Riverboat jobs

What cities are hiring for Riverboat jobs?

Cities with the most Riverboat job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Riverboat jobs?

The most popular types of Riverboat jobs are:

What states have the most Riverboat jobs?

States with the most job openings for Riverboat jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Riverboat jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Riverboat jobs are:

Riverboat jobs near you
Infographic showing various Riverboat job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 5% Locum Tenens, 75% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $34,770 per year, or $16.7 per hour.

End-of-Season Riverboat Discovery

Riverboat Discovery & Gold Dredge 8

Fairbanks, AK • On-site

$18/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 10 days ago

Job description

Join the Family! The Riverboat Discovery offers a multitude of jobs in every department of the operation.

All our positions at the Riverboat Discovery have an element of customer service, some more so than others. They can be categorized into two groups, On Stage and Back Stage. On Stage positions have more interaction with our guests, while Back Stage positions have less interaction. We offer multiple levels of employment, opportunities to lead and manage a team.

Wages starting at $18/hour (this includes our $2/hour bonus paid in a lump sum at the end of our season). 

On Stage

Retail Sales Associate

  • Serve as a customer service representative for visitors to the Riverboat Discovery
  • Assist visitors with purchases
  • Prepare and stock merchandise for sale
  • Perform inventory control duties
  • Organize and distribute merchandise
  • Perform other duties related to the successful operation of a retail store including cleaning and moderate lifting

Dining Hall Associate

  • Provide dining service to guests and meet their needs to ensure a pleasurable dining experience
  • Set up/remove food service items
  • Greet and seat guests in a prompt and courteous manner
  • Reset tables according to service standards
  • Operating commercial dishwashers
  • Ensure cleanliness of dishes including some polishing of glass for water spot removal
  • Maintain sanitation and safety standards

Reservationist

  • Serve as customer service representatives for visitors to the Riverboat Discovery & Gold Dredge 8
  • Answer phones
  • Respond to emails
  • Give directions
  • Other administrative related tasks as directed

Tour Guide

  • Greet passengers and serve as ambassadors for Alaskan Native culture
  • Conduct the tour of the Chena Village
  • Serve coffee and donuts and assist Deckhands in the snack bar during busy times

Deckhand

  • Cast off at departure and secure the Riverboat Discovery on landing
  • Maintain the safety and cleanliness of the boat
  • Staff the snack bars when passengers are on board
  • Provide general passenger assistance and if necessary
  • Provide emergency first aid until trained EMTs arrive
  • Mandatory drug testing per the US Coast Guard

Village Hand

  • ‍Village Hands maintain the Chena Village
  • Set up and take down props, cabins, and displays used during the tour
  • Feed and monitor wellbeing of the reindeer living on site
  • Receive and cast lines during boat landing and departure, push and receive gang planks, greet passengers
  • Clean restrooms and porta potties
  • Monitor inventory of supplies


Back Stage

Accounting Clerk‍

  • ‍Count cash
  • Entering accounts receivable into an accounting program
  • Prepare daily receipts ledgers and deposits
  • Prepare invoices and journal entries
  • Reservation support duties

Kitchen Assistant‍

  • Work in the kitchen area with some duties performed in our dining hall
  • Duties include operating kitchen cooking equipment to prepare fixed menu food
  • Preparing all food for our gift shop café
  • Serve food in the dining hall
  • Maintaining the cleanliness standards required in the kitchen

Donut Maker‍

  • Operate and maintain the donut-making machine
  • Ensure that donuts are properly produced, boxed, and refrigerated

Grounds Crew (Full-time & Part-time)

  • ‍Full-time (11am - 7:30pm) and part-time (5pm - 7:30 pm)
  • Clean the Riverboat Discovery and premises twice a day (after the boat returns to the dock at 12:30pm and again at 5:30pm)
  • Dust, vacuum, empty trash, wash windows, clean restrooms
  • Grounds maintenance duties and off-site maintenance tasks to be performed as directed

The job descriptions and hours vary from position to position, but we do not require employees to join a department with a specific set of skills. As long as our employees bring excitement and energy, we can teach them everything they need to know to do the job.

Whether On Stage or Back Stage, it is essential that every employee provides the highest level of customer service. As a company, we are committed to creating a memorable, first-class experience for our guests.

Apply