⭐ Transportation
↑ 4% growth · Average
Port & Dock Worker / Longshoreman
Longshoremen and dock workers load and unload cargo ships at ports — some of the highest-paid blue-collar jobs in America when union-affiliated. ILWU and ILA members earn exceptional wages with overtime, and port jobs offer a pathway into maritime careers like harbor pilot or port supervisor.
$56,890
Median Salary
68K
US Jobs
1–12 months
Training
$0–$1,000 (union dues)
Typical Cost
💰 Salary & Earning Potential
Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Figures represent national averages — local wages vary by state, city, and employer.
Want your state's salary? Select a state below to see local wage data, demand, and training programs.
📈 Job Outlook
4%
Projected Growth (10yr)
Average
68K
Total US Jobs
Active positions nationwide
ILWU/ILA Union Membership + TWIC Card
Required Credential
ILWU/ILA Union Membership + TWIC Card
🎓 Training & Education
Typical Program
Union Hall Training + On-the-Job
Program Length
1–12 months
Typical Tuition
$0–$1,000 (union dues)
Work Setting
Sea ports, container terminals, bulk cargo terminals
🏆 Credential Required: ILWU/ILA Union Membership + TWIC Card
☀️ Day in the Life
A typical day as a Port & Dock Worker / Longshoreman involves working closely with clients and colleagues in a Sea ports environment. You'll apply your training daily while building expertise and advancing your career.
⚖️ Pros & Cons
Advantages
- ✅ Strong job security
- ✅ Rewarding work
- ✅ Clear career progression
- ✅ Growing demand
Challenges
- ⚠️ Can be physically demanding
- ⚠️ May require ongoing certification
- ⚠️ Entry-level wages vary by region
🗺️ Port & Dock Worker / Longshoreman by State
See local salary data, licensing requirements, and schools in your state:
FL FloridaGA GeorgiaTX TexasCA CaliforniaNY New YorkNC North CarolinaIL IllinoisOH OhioPA PennsylvaniaAZ ArizonaAL AlabamaAR ArkansasLA LouisianaMS MississippiSC South CarolinaTN TennesseeVA VirginiaWV West VirginiaKY KentuckyMD MarylandDE DelawareNJ New JerseyCT ConnecticutMA MassachusettsRI Rhode IslandNH New HampshireVT VermontME MaineMI MichiganIN IndianaWI WisconsinMN MinnesotaIA IowaMO MissouriND North DakotaSD South DakotaNE NebraskaKS KansasOK OklahomaCO ColoradoMT MontanaWY WyomingID IdahoUT UtahNV NevadaNM New MexicoWA WashingtonOR OregonAK AlaskaHI HawaiiDC Washington DC
🏫 Schools and programs related to Port & Dock Worker / Longshoreman
USA Career Finder combines federal education datasets, state-approved training lists, workforce training provider lists, and licensing-board sources where available. Always confirm program availability, cost, admissions requirements, and licensing eligibility directly with the school.
Federal dataset match
Trade School
New England Tractor Trailer Training School of Massachusetts
📍 North Andover, MA
Award
Federal dataset match
Trade School
New England Tractor Trailer Training School of Connecticut
📍 Somers, CT
Award
Federal dataset match
Community College
Wayne County Community College District
📍 Detroit, MI
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Technical College
Butler Technology and Career Development Schools
📍 Monroe, OH
Award
Federal dataset match
Trade School
New England Tractor Trailer Training School of CT-Bridgeport
📍 Bridgeport, CT
Award
Federal dataset match
Trade School
New England Tractor Trailer Training School of Rhode Island
📍 Pawtucket, RI
Award
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Career College
Miller-Motte College-Berks Technical Institute
📍 Wyomissing, PA
Award
Federal dataset match
Community College
Elizabethtown Community and Technical College
📍 Elizabethtown, KY
Award
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Community College
Jefferson Community and Technical College
📍 Louisville, KY
Award
Federal dataset match
Community College
Community College of Allegheny County
📍 Pittsburgh, PA
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jackson
📍 Jackson, TN
Award
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Technical College
York County School of Technology-Adult & Continuing Education
📍 York, PA
Award
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Community College
Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas
📍 Helena, AR
Award
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Community College
Owensboro Community and Technical College
📍 Owensboro, KY
Award
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Career College
Penn Commercial Business/Technical School
📍 Washington, PA
Award
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Community College
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Memphis
📍 Memphis, TN
Award
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Community College
City Colleges of Chicago-Olive-Harvey College
📍 Chicago, IL
Award
Federal dataset match
Community College
State Technical College of Missouri
📍 Linn, MO
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Technical College
Washington County Career Center-Adult Technical Training
📍 Marietta, OH
Award
Federal dataset match
Community College
Ivy Tech Community College
📍 Indianapolis, IN
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Crump
📍 Crump, TN
Award
Federal dataset match
Community College
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Crossville
📍 Crossville, TN
Award
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Community College
Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College
📍 Minden, LA
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Shelbyville
📍 Shelbyville, TN
Award
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Community College
Alexandria Technical & Community College
📍 Alexandria, MN
Award
Federal dataset match
Community College
Tennessee College of Applied Technology Northwest
📍 Newbern, TN
Award
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Community College
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Oneida-Huntsville
📍 Huntsville, TN
Award
Federal dataset match
Community College
Indian Capital Technology Center-Muskogee
📍 Muskogee, OK
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville
📍 Knoxville, TN
Award
Federal dataset match
Community College
North Central Kansas Technical College
📍 Beloit, KS
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Trade School
South Texas Vocational Technical Institute-Brownsville
📍 Brownsville, TX
Award
Federal dataset match
Community College
Pinellas Technical College-St. Petersburg
📍 Saint Petersburg, FL
Award
Federal dataset match
Community College
Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell Campus
📍 Roswell, NM
Award
Federal dataset match
Community College
Coahoma Community College
📍 Clarksdale, MS
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
University of New Mexico-Taos Campus
📍 Ranchos de Taos, NM
Award
Federal dataset match
Community College
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Morristown
📍 Morristown, TN
Award
Federal dataset match
Technical College
Greater Johnstown Career and Technology Center
📍 Johnstown, PA
Award
Federal dataset match
Community College
University of Arkansas Community College-Batesville
📍 Batesville, AR
Award
Federal dataset match
Community College
Big Sandy Community and Technical College
📍 Prestonsburg, KY
Award
Federal dataset match
Community College
Lake Area Technical College
📍 Watertown, SD
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Pearl River Community College
📍 Poplarville, MS
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Northwest Mississippi Community College
📍 Senatobia, MS
Award
Federal dataset match
Community College
Central Community College
📍 Grand Island, NE
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-McMinnville
📍 McMinnville, TN
Award
Federal dataset match
Community College
University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College
📍 North Little Rock, AR
Award
Federal dataset match
Community College
Mississippi Delta Community College
📍 Moorhead, MS
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Technical College
Great Oaks Career Campuses
📍 Cincinnati, OH
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Los Angeles Trade Technical College
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Harriman
📍 Harriman, TN
Award
Federal dataset match
Community College
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Hohenwald
📍 Hohenwald, TN
Award
Federal dataset match
Community College
Maysville Community and Technical College
📍 Maysville, KY
Award
Federal dataset match
Technical College
Washburn Institute of Technology
📍 Topeka, KS
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Technical College
Kiamichi Technology Center-McAlester
📍 McAlester, OK
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Technical College
Ocean County Vocational-Technical School
📍 Toms River, NJ
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Technical College
Miami Valley Career Technology Center
📍 Englewood, OH
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Johnson County Community College
📍 Overland Park, KS
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Hazard Community and Technical College
📍 Hazard, KY
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Central Louisiana Technical Community College
📍 Alexandria, LA
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Northwood Technical College
📍 Rice Lake, WI
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology
📍 Pleasant Gap, PA
Award
Federal dataset match
Technical College
Buckeye Joint Vocational School
📍 New Philadelphia, OH
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Northwest Iowa Community College
📍 Sheldon, IA
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Miami Lakes Educational Center and Technical College
📍 Miami Lakes, FL
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Flagler Technical College
📍 Palm Coast, FL
Certificate 1-<2yr
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