Crew pay in the superyacht industry has shifted significantly over the past five years. Post-pandemic demand, tighter visa requirements in key yachting hubs, and a genuine shortage of qualified engineers and ETO officers have pushed salaries up across the board. If you're thinking about a career on yachts, or if you're a captain trying to set competitive pay scales for your program, here's what the market actually looks like right now.
The figures below are based on monthly salaries in USD for private yachts. Charter yachts often pay slightly less base but make up for it in tips. All ranges assume the crew member holds the appropriate STCW certifications, an ENG1 medical, and relevant experience for the vessel size.
Captain pay varies more than any other position because it's driven almost entirely by vessel length and complexity. A captain running a 30-meter sailing yacht with a crew of four will earn $8,000-$12,000/month. Step up to a 45-meter motor yacht with 8-10 crew, and you're looking at $12,000-$16,000/month. The big money starts at 60 meters and above, where captains of new-build programs or complex vessels with submarine tenders and helicopter operations can pull $20,000-$25,000/month.
Rotation on larger programs is typically 2 months on, 2 months off. Smaller boats often run with a single captain year-round, with 4-6 weeks of vacation. Most captain packages include health insurance, a travel budget, and a phone allowance. Some owners provide a housing stipend for the captain's home port.
Engineers are the hardest crew to find and retain. A competent chief engineer with AEC (Approved Engine Course) or Y4 certification on a 35-meter yacht earns $7,000-$10,000/month. On a 50-60 meter vessel with MTU or Caterpillar main engines, Kohler generators, and complex HVAC systems, chief engineers earn $10,000-$14,000/month. The upper end of the range — $15,000-$18,000/month — is reserved for chiefs on 70m+ vessels running full engineering departments with 2-3 junior engineers.
If you're considering this career path, check out our guide on becoming a marine electrician for a related technical track. Engineers who also hold ABYC marine electrical certification are especially valuable.
Most chief engineers work a 2:2 rotation on larger boats. On yachts under 40 meters, it's common to be the sole engineer, which means longer stretches onboard. Benefits typically include flights, uniform allowance, and health insurance. Many engineers negotiate a professional development budget for factory training courses with brands like Caterpillar, MTU, and Cummins — these courses run $2,000-$5,000 each and keep their skills current.
Chef salaries depend on formal culinary training, yacht-specific experience, and the owner's expectations. A solid yacht chef with 2-3 years of experience on a 30-40 meter boat earns $5,000-$7,500/month. Chefs on 50m+ yachts who can handle dinner parties for 20 guests, manage complex provisioning across multiple countries, and accommodate dietary requirements without breaking a sweat earn $8,000-$12,000/month. The top tier — $12,000-$15,000/month — goes to chefs with Michelin-starred restaurant backgrounds working on mega yachts where food is a centerpiece of the owner's lifestyle.
Chefs on charter yachts also receive a share of tips. On a busy Mediterranean charter season, a chef can earn an additional $15,000-$30,000 in gratuities over 12-16 weeks.
The chief stew manages the interior department, handles service, oversees housekeeping standards, and manages the wine and beverage program. On a 30-35 meter yacht, expect $5,000-$6,500/month. A chief stew running a team of 4-6 interior crew on a 55m+ vessel earns $7,500-$10,000/month. The $10,000-$12,000/month range is for chief stews on 70m+ boats managing 8-12 interior crew members.
On larger yachts, the chief stew or a dedicated purser handles accounting, customs documentation, crew HR, and provisioning budgets that can exceed $50,000/month. Pursers with accounting backgrounds or maritime administration experience earn $6,500-$10,000/month.
Entry-level deckhands with an STCW basic safety certificate, ENG1 medical, and Powerboat Level 2 start at $3,000-$3,500/month. After a season or two, a competent deckhand who can drive tenders, handle lines confidently in a crosswind, and maintain brightwork properly earns $3,500-$4,500/month. Senior deckhands or deckhand/engineers on smaller yachts earn $4,000-$5,000/month.
Deckhands on charter boats benefit heavily from tips. A deckhand earning $3,500/month base can add $1,000-$2,500/month in gratuities during a busy charter season.
ETOs handle AV systems, navigation electronics, IT networks, satellite communications, and increasingly, cybersecurity. Demand has outpaced supply for five years running. Marine electricians in Fort Lauderdale often transition into ETO roles after gaining their sea time.
The bosun runs the deck department day-to-day — managing deckhands, overseeing paint and varnish projects, and coordinating with the captain on deck operations. A strong bosun is worth every penny during a refit or haul-out period.
The second stew bridges the gap between chief stew management and hands-on service. On charter yachts, a skilled second stew directly impacts guest satisfaction and tip amounts.
On charter yachts, the industry standard tip is 10-20% of the charter fee. For a yacht chartering at $200,000/week, that's $20,000-$40,000 split among the crew. Most boats use a points system: the captain gets the most points, deckhands the fewest. On a crew of 10, a deckhand might receive 0.5-0.8 points while the captain receives 2-3 points out of a 10-12 point total.
Private (non-charter) yachts sometimes give year-end bonuses instead. These range from one month's salary to three months' salary, depending on the owner's generosity and the crew's performance.
Not necessarily, but you do need basic certifications: STCW basic safety training ($1,200-$2,000), an ENG1 medical ($150-$300), and ideally a Powerboat Level 2 ($400-$600). Starting as a deckhand or third stewardess is the most common entry point. Day-work in Fort Lauderdale, Antibes, or Palma during crew changeover seasons (September-November and March-May) is the best way to get your foot in the door.
It depends on your nationality, tax residency, and the vessel's flag state. Many crew members structure their affairs to minimize tax liability by maintaining residency in low-tax jurisdictions. US citizens are taxed on worldwide income regardless of where they live. Consult a maritime tax specialist — this is not something to guess at.
Annual raises of 5-10% are standard for crew who perform well. Promotions (deckhand to bosun, second stew to chief stew) come with larger jumps of 20-40%. The biggest salary increases come from moving to a larger vessel or switching from a sailing yacht to a motor yacht program.
Generally, a jump from 40m to 60m means a 25-40% salary increase for the same position. The work is more demanding — more systems, more crew to manage, more complex logistics — but the pay reflects that. A chief engineer on a 40m boat earning $9,000/month can reasonably expect $12,000-$14,000/month on a 60m vessel with the right qualifications.