Yacht Crew Salaries: Complete Guide to What Yacht Crew Earn
It’s no secret that the impressive yacht crew salaries attract most people into the exclusive yachting world.
Junior deckhands or stewardesses can earn starting salaries of $3000 per month. With a few years of experience and some courses to back you up, this amount moves up towards $4000-$4500 per month!
In order to compile this superyacht crew salary guideline, I have taken 10 of the top yachting platforms and used all of their data, combined with my personal experience, to reach an average salary expectation for each position.
Table of Contents
How Much do you Make Working on a Yacht?
Yacht Captain Salary
- 20m-30m: $4000-$7500
- 30m-40m: $5500-$9500
- 40m-50m: $8000-$15000
- 50m-70m: $13000-$19000
- 70m+: $16500+
Requirements of a Yacht Captain
- Years of experience needed: 3-5 years of experience as Chief Officer/Mate and more than 5 years of experience as a Captain for larger yachts
- Minimum level of Qualification: 200ton licence which allows you to drive vessels below 200tons
The Captain has the highest level of responsibility onboard the yacht and hence they earn the most out of all the yacht crew salaries.
Captains are accountable for the overall safety of the yacht, crew members and guests.
They also handle daily operations of the yacht, guests, and owner liaison. They deal with management companies, port control, budgets, human resources, and many more tasks and logistics that make the job demanding and stressful.
On top of this, Captains are required to hold high levels of certifications depending on the size of the yacht they are driving.
Yacht Captain salaries can sky rocket with higher levels of qualifications.
If you are looking to become a Yacht Captain one day I recommend looking into the courses required so you can get started with licenses and sea time. It takes time to get there, but when you do it will be worth it.
Chief Officer Yacht Salary
- 30m-40m: $4000-$6000
- 40m-50m: $4500-$7500
- 50m-70m: $5500-$9000
- 70m+: $8000+
Requirements of a Chief Officer
- Years of experience needed: 3-5 Years
- Minimum level of qualification: Officer of the Watch
The Chief Officer is second in command to the Captain and is responsible for carrying out the Captain’s standing orders.
On smaller yachts, the Chief Officer is referred to as the Mate.
The Chief Officer is responsible for carrying out the safety duties onboard and assisting in the bridge with paperwork and navigational planning.
The Chief Officer is also responsible for leading and managing their deck team, ensuring crew are following their duties as well as managing the water sports and guest activities.
The salary of a Chief Officer depends heavily on the license held.
Bosun Yacht Salary
- Years of experience needed: 2-3 years
- Minimum level of qualification: Yacht Master Offshore
- A yacht Bosun salary can vary between $4000 and $6000.
Responsibilities of a Bosun
The Bosun is essentially the Lead Deckhand onboard. A lead deckhand salary on a larger vessel will be similar to that of a bosun salary on a smaller vessel.
This is an opportunity to step up from being a deckhand and gain some experience in a leadership role. This position is in place for larger yachts so that when the Officer is busy with bridge duties, someone is in charge on deck.
Yacht Deckhand Salary
Years of experience needed: 0
- Minimum level of qualification: None needed, however Power Boat Level 2 and Yacht Master offshore will put you at a great advantage
- Entry-level yacht crew salaries start at $3000 and can go as high as $4000/$4500.
Responsibilities of a Deckhand
A Deckhand is an entry-level role on a yacht.
You need to spend a few years (or less) as a Deckhand in order to learn and gain experience so that you can step up in the ranks and obtain your licenses.
This role will be very hands-on in maintaining the exterior of the yacht. Duties will include cleaning, polishing, varnishing, sanding, caulking, and any other maintenance work required.
Chief Steward / Chief Stewardess Salary
- 30m-40m :$4500-$5500
- 40m-50m :$5000-$7000
- 50m-70m- $5500-$8000
- 70m+: $7500+
Responsibilities of a Chief Stewardess/Steward
- Years of experience needed: 3-5 years
- Minimum level of qualification: Depending on the size of the vessel you may need courses such as Food Hygiene and Safety, Silver Service, WSET, or a Purser course
The Chief Stewardess or Steward is responsible for all the interior operations of the yacht .
They are responsible for managing the interior team, and ensuring the interior of the yacht is maintained to the highest standards. Besides cleaning and laundry schedules , this also includes provisioning for crew and guests, budgeting, accounting, and training of junior crew.
Steward or Stewardess Yacht Salary
- Minimum level of qualification: Depending on the size of the vessel you may need courses such as Food Hygiene and Safety and Silver Service
- Salaries start at $3000 and go up to $6000
Responsibilities of a Steward or Stewardess
A Stewardess/Steward is an entry-level position working within the interior of the yacht.
There are rankings within the interior (2nd, 3rd, 4th Steward/Stewardesses). As you spend more time in the industry, you will be promoted to higher ranks, and with that will come a better salary and more responsibility.
This role covers a range of tasks, including but not limited to housekeeping, laundry, bartending, table scaping, floral arrangements, serving, and hosting guests.
Engineer Yacht Salary
- 20m-30m: $4000-$5000
- 30m-40m: $4500-$6500
- 40m-50m: $6000-$8000
- 50m-70m: $7500-$11000
- 70m+: $9000+
Requirements of an Engineer
- Years of experience needed: 2-4 years in an engineering role onboard as Deck/Engineer or relevant land-based experience
- Minimum level of qualification: AEC
The Engineer onboard is responsible for all mechanical functioning and maintenance of the vessel. This is a very technical role that can pay well as you gain experience and obtain your licensing.
Yacht Chef Salary
- 20m-30m: $4000 – $5000
- 40m-50m: $5500 – $75000
- 50m-70m: $6500-$9500
Requirements of a Yacht Chef
- Years of experience needed: 3-5 years depending on previous experience
- Minimum level of qualification: Food Hygiene and Safety Level 2
The Chef is responsible for feeding the crew 2 to 3 healthy and sustainable meals a day. They are of course required to prepare meals for guests when onboard to the highest of standards.
In their day-to-day tasks, they will be responsible for their own provisioning of the galley, maintaining stocks, cleanliness, and hygiene of the galley.
The salary of the Yacht Chef varies depending on qualifications and experience.
Yacht Crew Salaries for Private vs Charter Yachts
There are two types of super yachts that require crew: Private and Charter yachts. The salaries for yacht crew differ slightly between the two.
Private Yacht
A private boat is owned by a single person or family who uses the yacht for their own purposes. They don’t charter it out and you can expect to have the same guests onboard for the duration of your contract.
The benefit of these programs is that you get to know your guests well so you may find it easier to manage their wants and needs.
You may also benefit from traveling to off-the-beaten-track locations as I have!
For yacht crew working on these private boats, you will usually not receive charter tips.
Charter Yacht
A charter boat is one that gets chartered out by guests. This operates as a business and also means you will have different guests for every trip.
If you work on a charter boat you can expect to receive charter tips at the end of each charter. These are usually 10%-20% of the charter fee!
Considering these tips can be anywhere from $2000-$5000 per week depending on the size of the yacht, charter boats offer great earning potential and can skyrocket your salary as a yachtie.
Hi, my name is Lisa, a Chief Stewardess in the yachting industry with 10 years of experience, as well as 8 years of hospitality experience prior to that. Being in the yachting industry has been a whirlwind of adventure, growth, challenges and some of the best experiences of my life, and I am excited to share my knowledge and experiences with all of you.
How to Write the Perfect Yacht CV [With Template]
A day in the life of a yacht stewardess.
How Much Does a Deckhand Make on a Yacht? (Salaries)
Who doesn’t want to sail the high seas in the lap of luxury? Life on a yacht is the pinnacle of maritime leisure and relaxation so it’s definitely not something everyone can afford. But what if you were told you could experience life on yacht and get paid for it to boot? Welcome to a day in the life of a yacht deckhand!
Okay, so maybe you’re not going to be the guest of honor. But there are a lot of perks to being a deckhand. Of course, the salaries might not be too grand, however yacht guests have been known to give eye-popping tips. Wondering how much does a deckhand make on a yacht? Here’s the low-down.
Salary Range for a Yacht Deckhand
The salary of a deckhand on a yacht depends largely on the size of the vessel. For the most part, people will only hire a deckhand if their boat is in the superyacht category. That means a yacht that’s over 80-feet long. However there are some private yacht owners who hire a crew even if they’re operating something smaller.
As you might expect, a deckhand salary will increase as the size of the yacht increases. That means the bigger the boat, the bigger the bucks. It’s also worth considering your level of experience and designation on the boat.
There are three different deckhands found on a yacht. The first is the junior deckhand, the second is the deckhand, and the third is the lead deckhand. These job levels receive varying salaries, with each one earning more than the last.
Junior Deckhand
Junior Deckhands on a yacht earn around $2,000 to $3,000+ per month
Yacht Deckhands earn between $2,800 to $3,500+ per month
Lead Deckhand
Lead Deckhands earn roughly around $3,500 to $4,000+ per month
What’s nice about the deckhand job is that you get to work closely with the guests on the boat. That means you might be rubbing elbows with celebrities, politicians, and other prominent public figures. The deckhand also gets the most tips on board, so that salary might not be your only income stream.
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Salaries for Private vs Charter
If you’re looking to snag a job on a yacht, it’s important you know the difference between a private and charter yacht. The private yacht is essentially a vessel that’s used strictly for the benefit and enjoyment of the owner. So the only guests you’re going to be seeing are the ones they invite on-board such as their family and friends. You answer directly to the owner and they also pay your salary.
The charter yacht is basically a yacht that’s rented out to a variety of companies like holiday makers and corporations who want to profit off of the yacht by selling cabin tickets or vacation packages. Charter yachts see a lot of guest variety, letting you deal with and serve lots of different people.
Generally speaking, charter yachts pay less in salaries because they know you’re going to be making more tips. On average, the tips can amount to around 20% of the charter cost, and is split between the crew members by the captain.
On a private yacht, you’re much less likely to get a tip but they are willing to pay more. Private yacht owners also tend to provide bonuses if you rub them the right way, so it’s really a matter of playing your cards right and pleasing your employer.
Yacht Deckhand Job Description and Responsibilities
Okay, so maybe the money has made you seriously consider starting out as a yacht deckhand. But do you know what the job entails? There are quite a lot of responsibilities lined up for a yacht deckhand, and these include:
All hands on deck, and that means you, deckhand. The job of cleaning the yacht is all a part of the deckhand duty. You’re going to mop the messes, clean up after rowdy guests, and essentially make sure that everything stays clean and tidy to maintain the luxury feel.
But it’s more than just mopping and tidying. A deckhand also has to polish chrome railings, wipe glass panels to remove smudge marks, clean communal toilets, and maintain public areas after each use. You’re also going to have to clean unseen features of the boat like the inner machines and equipment that hide under the deck.
Basic Repairs
A broken air conditioner in stateroom number two? That’s your business. Minor and basic repairs of features around the boat are the deckhand’s responsibility. So expect to change a light bulb or two while you’re on board.
You should also have some basic knowledge on things like painting, caulking, filling, and varnishing, which you might have to do depending on the conditions on the yacht. Of course, for bigger maintenance problems like major repairs of equipment and machines, the engineers will be mostly responsible.
Safety Protocol Implementation
There’s a lot that could go wrong on a yacht. Slip and fall accidents, choking, and drowning -- these are just some of the dangers that await yacht passengers. That’s why all deckhands have to have some basic knowledge on life support and first aid.
But to prevent the need to use these skills all together, the deckhand makes sure that all passengers are observing proper safety protocol. That means reminding them when to wear a life jacket, and politely informing them of any potentially dangerous activity they might be doing on board.
Water Sports Assistance
Whether it’s water skiing or jet skiing, the deckhand is there to help. They’re the guys who handle the lines, deploy the water toys, and assist the guests for safe fun and enjoyment. They’re basically the all-around assistants on the yacht, doing what they can to maintain safety and keep the guests as comfortable as possible.
Not all yachts will have water toys though, but those that have them will require more than a few deckhands. On larger super yachts , lead deckhands are responsible for designating deckhands to different parts of the boat so that everyone gets the assistance they need.
Deckhands are the guys who see the deck most often. They’re the first to know when something is damaged, the first to know when guests need something, and the first to know when danger might be up ahead. So they should also be responsible for communicating with the rest of the crew.
These guys are in constant communication with the captain, engineers, stewards and stewardesses to maintain smooth sailing. They relay important information to the higher ups in order to curb potential accidents and to make the guests requests known in case they were approached for that specific purpose.
What Training is Required?
You can’t be a deckhand just like that. There are requirements and certificates you have to comply with to become fit for service. These training programs provide the necessary knowledge and skills to improve your performance and equip you for the unique challenges of the yacht deckhand job.
Certification of Medical Fitness
This is a compulsory requirement for all individuals hoping to apply as a deckhand. The certification of medical fitness confirms that you have no serious medical conditions that could affect your work on board. Remember, a huge chunk of your job is to keep everyone safe. If you have any conditions that require unique care, then you might not be able to fulfill your responsibilities.
Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping
This is another requirement for all of those applying for a spot on a yacht crew. The STCW provides basic training on fire fighting and prevention, personal safety and social responsibility, security awareness, sea survival, and emergency first aid. The goal of the training is to make sure the entire crew is prepared to face potential hazards as they arise.
Deckhand Training Course
While this one’s not required, it does help improve your chances of getting a job. The deckhand training course provides you all the basics of the job, teaching you the ins and outs of the work your occupation entails. You can also add on other courses like a personal watercraft certificate that lets you safely operate and deploy things like jetskis.
What Type of Person is Best Suited to the Job?
Not everyone is a fit for the deckhand occupation. That said, if you think you have most of the following qualities, you might find the work to be a good choice if you’re considering starting a career on the sea:
- Works well in a fast-paced environment
- Handy with tools
- Good problem solver
- Patient and courteous
- Takes well to instructions and commands
- Team player
- Willingness to learn
- Works well under pressure
- Can work with minimal supervision
- Good time management skills
- Physically fit
- Takes criticism and correction well
A deckhand is one of the lowest ranking jobs on the deck, so expect to get quite a lot of correction from your superiors. But aside from that, your guests might also find reason to criticize and correct your work. So it helps to be patient and thick-skinned if you plan to work in this demanding industry.
All in a Day’s Work
How much does a deckhand make on a yacht? Not a lot if we’re talking salaries, but those tips might make up for the meager pay. And when you consider the luxury facilities and the potential of rubbing elbows with the rich and the famous, it’s easy to see that the life of a yacht deckhand is anything but boring.
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- Deck Department
About the Deck Department
The deck department on board a superyacht is a dynamic, multifunctional department that involves duties ranging from skippering an Atlantic crossing to taking guests on jet-ski tours of some of the most beautiful hidden bays in the world. The work is extremely varied and an assortment of skills are necessary to be successful.
This department is responsible for the following aspects of the yacht operation:
- owner communication
- financial administration
- bridge operations
- exterior repair and maintenance
- tender and water sports operations
- safety procedures
The development path for an individual wishing to pursue a career on deck is very specific and requires achieving certain milestones. As an entry-level deckhand, focus should be on learning as much as possible from senior deck crew. Daily duties will include cleaning, polishing and exterior maintenance. As ordinary as these jobs may seem some days, the importance of learning good techniques and basic skills is crucial to continued progression in the superyacht industry. At the beginning of your career it is important to document all the skills you learn as well as your sea time.
As you graduate from rookie status after one year onboard yachts, the next step will be to develop boat handling skills and pursue your first deck license which might be a 100T USCG or MCA Y200. You will also continue to learn more advanced maintenance and repair techniques. This is the stage in most deck careers where the decision is made to pursue yachting as a long-term profession, investing the time and money necessary to progress.
Continuing to build your career as a seafarer with three or more years of experience will likely involve obtaining more advanced licenses. The educational requirements are demanding and expensive – they are an investment in your future. However, it is important to balance time at school with continued experience on board yachts, refining your skills and building sea time. During this stage of your career, you will become more involved in bridge operations and navigation.
The role of a captain aboard a luxury yacht is one of the most fulfilling jobs in the world, and with this opportunity comes great responsibility. The captain is ultimately responsible for the safety, well-being and experience of every crew and guest on board. In addition to managing the deck team, they also possess primary responsibility for financial administration and owner communication. Captains are professional seaman, expert problem solvers and are able to manage every situation with poise and exemplary leadership.
Career Path
Senior master, junior captain, first officer / chief mate, officer of the watch, junior deckhand.