Yacht Crew Salaries

The crew salaries reflected below have been derived from placement records and job orders for both power and sail, reflected as an average, received by Crewfinders within the past year and may change without notice.

Salaries reflect increase with the size of the vessel. Variations occur with the amount of owner/guest use, specific qualifications required, and vessel itinerary.
POSITION 70' to 100' 100' to 130' 130' to 160' 160' to 190' 190' +
Captain $84 - $120,000 $120 - $156,000 $156 - $192,000 $192 - $228,000 $228,000+

First Officer $54 - $66,000 $66 - $78,000 $78 - $90,000 $90 - $95,000 $102,000+

2nd Mate/Bosun $48 - $54,000 $54 - $60,000 $60 - $66,000 $66 - $72,000 $66,000+

Deckhand $42 - $48,000 $48 - $54,000 $54 - $60,000 $60 - $66,000 $60,000+

Chief Engineer $72- $84,000 $84 - $96,000 $96 - $120,000 $120 - $144,000 $144,000+

Assistant Engineer $48 - $60,000 $60 - $66,000 $66 - $72,000 $72 - $84,000 $84,000+

Culinary Trained Chef $60 - $72,000 $72 - $84,000 $84 - $96,000 $96 - $108,000 $108,000+

Chef/Cook $54 - $60,000 $60 - $66,000 $66 - $72,000 $72 - $84,000 $84,000+

Chief Steward(ess)/Purser $54 - $60,000 $60 - $66,000 $66 - $72,000 $72 - $84,000 $84,000+

Steward(ess) $42 - $48,000 $48 - $54,000 $54 - $60,000 $60 - $66,000 $66,000+

Yacht Crew Freelance Positions Daily Salary

POSITION 70' to 100' 100' to 130' 130' to 160' 160' to 190' 190' +
Captain $400 - $450 $450-$500 $500-$550 $600-$650 $700+

Engineer $400-$450 $350-$400 $500-$550 $550-$600 $650+

Chef $250-$300 $350-$400 $400-$450 $450-$500 $500+

Mate or Stew $175-$250 $250-$250 $250-$350 $250-$350 $350+


In addition to salary: It is customary that owners provide food, uniforms, transportation, and other onboard expenses such as laundry, soap, linens, ect. Health and dental insurance after a probationary period of 30 - 90 days is normal, as well as periodic performance evaluations for pay increases.

Vacation and time off vary on a vessel's schedule, but 4 - 6 weeks paid holiday per year and a 5 - 6 day work week unless on charter is standard.

Yacht Crew
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