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Tug Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

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Tug information

See Colorado salary details

$7

$22

$51

How much do tug jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for tug in Colorado is $22.32, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.14 and $27.07 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a tug?

Tugs, also known as tugboats, are specialized vessels designed to maneuver other vessels by pushing or towing them. They are commonly used in harbors, ports, and canals to assist ships in docking, undocking, and navigating through tight or crowded areas. Tugs are equipped with powerful engines and are highly maneuverable, making them essential for moving large ships that can't easily navigate these spaces on their own.

How to get hired on a tug?

To get hired as a tugboat operator, candidates typically need a valid maritime license such as a Merchant Mariner Credential and relevant experience operating vessels. Employers also look for strong navigation skills, safety training, and the ability to work in challenging environments, often requiring physical fitness and adherence to safety regulations.

What is the difference between Tug vs Crane Operator?

AspectTugCrane Operator
CredentialsMaritime licenses, certifications in vessel operationCrane operation certifications, OSHA safety training
Work EnvironmentMaritime, dockyards, portsConstruction sites, industrial facilities, ports
Industry UsageShipping, logistics, port operationsConstruction, manufacturing, shipping

While both Tug and Crane Operator roles involve heavy machinery, Tug operators primarily work on water, maneuvering vessels in ports and harbors, requiring maritime certifications. Crane Operators work on land, operating cranes in construction or industrial settings, with certifications focused on crane safety. Both roles are essential in port and shipping industries but differ mainly in environment and specific skills.

What jobs are there on a tug?

Jobs on a tugboat include deckhand, mate, engineer, and captain. These roles involve operating and maintaining the vessel, navigating waterways, and ensuring safety during towing operations. Certifications such as STCW and experience in maritime environments are often required.

What does a tug do?

Tugboat operators are primarily responsible for maneuvering large vessels, such as ships and barges, safely in and out of harbors, docks, and through narrow waterways. A typical day involves monitoring weather and water conditions, maintaining communication with port authorities, pilots, and ship captains, and ensuring the tug and its equipment are in good working order. Tugboat operators work closely with deckhands and engineers on board, as well as with external crews, to coordinate towing, docking, and undocking procedures. This role requires strong teamwork, attention to safety protocols, and the ability to respond quickly to changing situations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a tug?

To thrive as a Tugboat Operator, you need a strong understanding of maritime navigation, vessel handling, and safety procedures, usually supported by a relevant license such as a Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC). Familiarity with marine communication systems, towing equipment, and GPS navigation technology is essential. Excellent teamwork, situational awareness, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are valuable soft skills in this role. These skills ensure safe and efficient maneuvering of vessels, protecting crew, cargo, and the environment in busy port and harbor operations.
What are popular job titles related to Tug jobs in Colorado? For Tug jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in Colorado are hiring for Tug jobs? Cities in Colorado with the most Tug job openings:
Infographic showing various Tug job openings in Colorado as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 72% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 10% Temporary, 5% Contract, and 5% Nights. Highlights an 95% In-person, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $46,427 per year, or $22.3 per hour.

Preschool Lead Teacher (full-time)

YMCA of Northern Colorado

Johnstown, CO โ€ข On-site

$15.25 - $20/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 5 days ago


Job description

The Preschool Lead Teacher provides direction for the program and classroom, implements program curriculum, ensures safety procedures are being implemented and assists in the direction and management of Assistant Teachers. ECT provides a quality experience to children and parents that focuses achievement, relationships and belonging through teaching the YMCA of Northern Colorado values: honesty, respect, responsibility, and caring.

View all openings, learn more about our benefits, and apply online today at https://www.ymcanoco.org/careers.


  • Implements curriculum within the established guidelines.
  • Designs and implements daily lesson/activity plans.
  • Supervises the children, classroom, and all activities.
  • Supports in the supervision and direction of Assistant Teachers.
  • Makes ongoing, systematic observations and evaluations of each child.
  • Ensures program is consistently following all YMCA, Colorado Department of Health and Human services and Health department expectations.
  • Conducts parent conferences and maintains positive relationships and effective communication with parents. Engages parents in program activities and events.
  • Maintains program site and equipment.
  • Maintains required program records, registration forms and medications.
  • Attends and participates in family nights, program activities, staff meetings, and staff training.
  • Other duties as assigned.

This job announcement is not intended to be inclusive of all functions, responsibilities and qualifications associated with the position, however, representative of the essential job functions and typical criteria considered necessary to successfully perform the position.


  • Minimum age requirements of 21.
  • Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent โ€“ must meet ECT qualifications through CDHS.
  • Minimum 1 year experience working with Preschool aged/Kindergarten aged children in a supervisory role.
  • Typical requirements within 30 days of hire include completion of: Child Abuse Prevention for Supervisory Staff; Working with Program Volunteers; CPR; First Aid; AED; Bloodborne Pathogens.
  • Ability to work with a wide range of age groups, demographics and have ability to collaborate well with a number of groups and individuals.
  • Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of
    the community.
  • Ability and desire to embrace the mission of the YMCA.

Physical DEMANDS/FUNCTIONAL ATTRIBUTES

Essential functions are the fundamental job duties, meaning the position exists to perform the function; there is a limited number of employees among whom the performance of the function can be distributed; and/or the incumbent is hired for expertise or ability to perform the function due to its high specialization. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and associated Federal regulations protect qualified individuals with disabilities from discrimination in all areas of employment. To be considered qualified, an individual must be able to perform the essential functions of a position, with or without reasonable accommodation. It is important that the physical tasks associated with the essential functions be identified appropriately so that persons with disabilities can determine if any accommodation is necessary.

General Physical Requirements

  • Medium work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Physical Activities List

  • Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking, standing or crouching on narrow, slippery or erratically moving surfaces. This factor is important if the amount and kind of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.
  • Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires full use of the lower extremities and back muscles.
  • Kneeling: Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.
  • Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
  • Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time.
  • Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.
  • Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward.
  • Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, drag, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.
  • Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires the substantial use of the upper extremities and back muscles.
  • Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling.
  • Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
  • Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.
  • Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
  • Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and make fine discriminations in sound.
  • Repetitive Motions: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.

Visual Acuity

  • The worker is required to have visual acuity to determine the accuracy, neatness, thoroughness of work assigned (i.e., security guard, inspection, etc.) 

Working Conditions

  • The worker is subject to both environmental conditions: Activities occur inside and outside.

  • Free Family Membership
  • Free and Discounted Programs
  • Generous retirement benefits - 12% after eligibility is met
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Paid Vacation, Sick Days, and Holidays
  • Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
  • Disability Benefits
  • Life Insurance

Childcare benefits of more than $5000 are considered taxable income and will be processed accordingly. Limitations and restrictions apply to some programs.


USD $19.00 - USD $23.00 /Hr.