How to hire a marine cargo inspector

How to hire a marine cargo inspector, step by step

Here's a step-by-step marine cargo inspector hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a marine cargo inspector job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new marine cargo inspector
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the marine cargo inspector you need to hire. Certain marine cargo inspector roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A marine cargo inspector's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, marine cargo inspectors from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of marine cargo inspectors and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Marine Cargo Inspector	Description	Hourly rate
   Marine Cargo Inspector		$13-37
   Inspector	An inspector is responsible for overseeing the overall condition of the site, ensuring that it complies with the safety standards and regulations. Inspectors' duties include monitoring the quality of the materials used, inspecting any defects and discrepancies that might compromise the operations, generating reports to assess the product costing if it meets the budget goals, and utilizing available resources in the market for the highest quality project... Show more	$12-25

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • USCG
   • Plan Review
   • Firefighting
   • Federal Regulations
   • API
   • International Law
   • ISO

   Responsibilities:

   • Conduct dimensional and visual inspections procedures on CMM machines to ensure geometrical characteristics of the product are in specification.
   • Perform annual termite inspections of residential and commercial termite contract customers (average 80 per month )

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your marine cargo inspector job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A marine cargo inspector salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, marine cargo inspectors' average salary in montana is 45% less than in new jersey.
   • Seniority. Entry-level marine cargo inspectors earn 62% less than senior-level marine cargo inspectors.
   • Certifications. A marine cargo inspector with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a marine cargo inspector's salary.

   Average marine cargo inspector salary

   $48,117yearly

   $23.13 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level marine cargo inspector salary

   $29,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 30, 2026

   Average marine cargo inspector salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	New Jersey	$70,466	$34
   2	Texas	$56,754	$27
   3	California	$52,514	$25
   4	Louisiana	$51,765	$25
   5	Connecticut	$47,544	$23

   Average marine cargo inspector salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	U.s. Coast Guard	$48,466	$23.30
   2	Atlantic Essential Products	$48,398	$23.27
   3	Inspectorate Sharp Global Corporation (isg)	$48,382	$23.26
   4	Gener8 Maritime	$39,821	$19.14

4. Writing a marine cargo inspector job description

   A marine cargo inspector job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a marine cargo inspector job description:

   Marine cargo inspector job description example

   · Knowledge of the requirements of 46 CFR Subchapter K

   · Experienced performing weld tests including soap and air, hydrostatic pressure testing tanks and dye penetrant

   · Qualifications as a K-Boat and T-Boat inspector and experience overseeing new construction steel and aluminum passenger vessels.

   PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

   · Position requires a significant amount of physical activity and mobility. Must be able to climb ladders, scaffolds, and stairs, crawl through small accesses and enter tanks and confined spaces through hatches and manholes throughout much of a normal workday.

   · Ability to work in heat, cold or inclement weather

   · Ability to kneel, climb and bend around or under inventory or equipment

   MENTAL REQUIREIMENTS:

   Normal level of visual acuity needed. Must be able to understand and follow directions. Normal hearing level needed. Hand-eye coordination required.

   HAZARDS: Weather, fumes, moving mechanical parts, equipment, and vibration.

   #VA1

   #vraf

   Company DescriptionOur team members are the best part of the company and they’re what make Ameri-Force great. When you join Ameri-Force you’re not just starting a new job, you’re becoming part of an industry powerhouse. By providing some of the highest wages and best benefits available it’s no wonder our average team member remains with Ameri-Force for 10 years or more. The goal at Ameri-Force is to be your employer for life. Our recruiting team works hand-in-hand with you to provide assignments which increase your skill level and add to your job experience in order to advance and maintain your career.
   
   Since its founding in 1991, Ameri-Force has become the trusted staffing services provider for multiple industries, gaining a reputation second to none. Ameri-Force has gained its stellar reputation by putting thousands of qualified & skilled people to work with companies throughout the United States. Our clients have included major organizations in several verticals including: ship construction and repair, aerospace and defense, heavy construction, light and heavy industrial, energy production and utilities, oil and gas, disaster recovery, manufacturing, environmental, railroad, and general labor.
   
   In 2009 Ameri-Force became part of an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) with the company being turned over 100% to its employees. Ameri-Force team members truly own their own future and the destiny of the company is determined wholly by their actions, determination, and ingenuity.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find marine cargo inspectors for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any marine cargo inspectors they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level marine cargo inspectors with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your marine cargo inspector job on Zippia to find and recruit marine cargo inspector candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit marine cargo inspectors, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new marine cargo inspector

   Once you've found the marine cargo inspector candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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