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Towboat Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Fineline Industries LLC

General Application

Merced, CA · On-site

Centurion was the first to introduce a wakesurfing specific towboat and created the World Wake Surfing Championships, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2015. Innovation has always been the ...

Parker Towing Company

Engineer

Northport, AL · On-site

This position will be report directly to the Port Engineer and will be responsible to the towboat master for the regular performance of their job duties. * Leadership skills and effective verbal and ...

Carlisle and Bray Enterprises

Pilot

Newport, KY · On-site

Conducts inspections of the towboat and equipment to ensure its seaworthiness and compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations and take corrective action where necessary. Requirements ...

Hines Furlong Line

Wheelhouse

Point Pleasant, WV · On-site

The unpredictable, ever-changing, and inherently dangerous nature of towboat operations requires the crew members to be physically qualified to ensure his/her own safety, as well as that of the ...

Campbell Transportation Company INC

Pilot

Houston, PA · On-site

The unpredictable, ever-changing, and inherently dangerous nature of towboat operations requires the crew members to be physically qualified to ensure his/her own safety, as well as that of the ...

Hines Furlong Line

Wheelhouse

Paducah, KY · Remote

The unpredictable, ever-changing, and inherently dangerous nature of towboat operations requires the crew members to be physically qualified to ensure his/her own safety, as well as that of the ...

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Towboat information

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$14

$37

$89

How much do towboat jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for towboat in the United States is $37.80, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.04 and $41.35 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is it hard to get a job as a deckhand?

Getting a job as a deckhand can be competitive, but entry-level positions are often available for those willing to learn and work in physically demanding environments. Prior experience or certifications such as STCW or CPR can improve chances, but many companies hire inexperienced workers and provide on-the-job training.

What are the typical working conditions like for towboat operators?

Towboat operators usually work on rotating shifts that can include long periods on the water, such as several weeks aboard followed by time off. The job requires living in close quarters with fellow crew members and adapting to changing weather, river, or harbor conditions. Workdays often involve extended hours, handling lines, overseeing towing operations, and conducting routine vessel maintenance. Operators collaborate closely with deckhands and other crew to ensure safe and timely navigation and cargo delivery. This dynamic, team-oriented environment appeals to those who enjoy hands-on work and life on the water.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Towboat position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Towboat Operator, you need solid navigational knowledge, mechanical aptitude, and a valid Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) with appropriate endorsements. Proficiency in operating towboat controls, radar, GPS navigation systems, and understanding maritime regulations is essential. Strong teamwork, communication, and decision-making skills help you adapt to unpredictable river or harbor conditions. These competencies ensure the safety and efficiency of vessel operations and cargo transport in dynamic maritime environments.

What is a Towboat job?

A towboat job involves operating or working on a towboat, which pushes barges along rivers and waterways. Crew members can hold various positions, such as deckhands, engineers, pilots, and captains, each responsible for navigation, maintenance, and cargo transport. These roles require long shifts, often working weeks on the water followed by time off. Towboat jobs are essential for transporting goods efficiently on inland waterways.

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What cities are hiring for Towboat jobs? Cities with the most Towboat job openings:
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Towboat jobs near you
Infographic showing various Towboat job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 94% In-person, and 6% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $78,621 per year, or $37.8 per hour.
Line Haul Towboat Pilot

Line Haul Towboat Pilot

Evansville Marine Service

Henderson, KY • On-site

Full-time

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

Job Type
Full-time
Description
RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Responsible for the overall safety of the towing vessel.
  • Responsible for aiding in the safety of all coworkers.
  • Report any and all hazardous or unsafe conditions and making corrections when able.
  • Make and break tow for customer vessels and other EMS boats.
  • Pick up and deliver barges to and from customer docks.
  • Perform daily inspection of the vessels firefighting and lifesaving equipment.
  • Participate in all drills and safety meetings.
  • Learn and perform assigned duties in emergency situations.
  • Learn when to use PPE and know the right type(s) to use for any task.
  • Ordering stores and supplies on a regular basis.
  • Taking on fuel, water, oil, etc.
  • Provide continuous training for other new hires and Job Corps trainees.
  • Conduct daily safety inspections of equipment and vessel structure, including walking and visually inspecting the exterior of each deck, the engine room, the wheelhouse, and any other areas of the vessel that are critical to the safety of the vessel and the crew.
  • Assist new crewmembers on tow for training purposes, including donning PPE, which may include a personal flotation device (PFD), as well as eye protection, face protection, splash protection, foot protection, hearing protection, or hand protection, depending on the task.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
  • Speak, read, and write English well enough to maintain vessel logs, read training materials, and follow written instructions.
  • Climb at least 3 sets of stairs or ladders in short succession (from wheelhouse to engine room).
  • Hear and respond to radio communications with significant background noise.
  • Lift, pull, push, and carry ship's stores, vessel's rigging and other equipment up to 70lbs over distances of up to 1000'.
  • Perform general vessel maintenance in tight quarters, including stooping, crouching, and crawling while using hand tools and power tools.
  • Routinely walk and maintain balance across uneven, slippery, or unstable surfaces without assistance
  • Step over high doorsills, bullrails, and other structural obstacles.
  • Walk up or down a ramp with an incline of up to 10° (17% grade), and length up to 100'

EMERGENCY DUTIES
In addition to the routine physical standards above, a Pilot may face emergency situations that require brief but intense physical activity during drills and training. As mariners, we are our own First Responders, and must be able to:
  • Participate in drills that may include carrying firefighting equipment up several flights of stairs, retrieving objects from the water, and carrying dewatering pumps in a short amount of time.
  • Assist an injured person from a barge to the boat.
  • Carry a 40lb extinguisher up one or more flights of stairs.
  • Crawl on all fours across steel decking to escape a smoke-filled area.
  • Extract an unconscious person from a vessel in distress.
  • Hear, and rapidly respond to, alarms, bells, and whistles.
  • In short succession, carry a 50lb de-watering pump, carry a 5g gas can, and carry accompanying hoses (20-30lbs each);
  • Set up and start the de-watering pump and effectively operate a firehose under high pressure.
  • Retrieve an unconscious adult from the water and onto the boat.
  • Throw a 5lb ring buoy at least 25' and retrieve it with an adult attached.
  • Unface and face-up the boat alone to retrieve unconscious or immobile victims from the water or from a barge.

This list is not exhaustive. Pilots are expected to perform any duties required of them to ensure the safe operation of the vessel to which they are assigned, and those duties may include assisting other teams at EMS as needed.
Requirements
  • Applicants must possess a valid Merchant Mariner's Credential with a Western Rivers endorsement, a valid Medical Certificate, a valid TWIC card, and at least a Restricted Radiotelephone Operator's Permit.
  • Applicants must meet the Physical Requirements and be able to perform the Emergency Duties itemized above.
  • Applicants must have reliable transportation to and from work.
  • Applicant must be able to pass a pre-employment DOT 5-panel Urine Drug Test.

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