Yacht Mates & First Officers earn a monthly salary with food and accommodation provided aboard, so take-home pay is close to gross. Entry-level pay runs about $4,500 to $6,000 a month, rising to $6,500 to $9,500 a month with experience. A chief officer on a large yacht earns 8,000 to 11,000+ a month on the path to command.
| Level | Typical monthly pay (USD) |
|---|---|
| Entry-level / green | $4,500 to $6,000 |
| Experienced | $6,500 to $9,500 |
Pay climbs with tickets, boat size and a clean track record. See the step-by-step how to become a yacht mate guide, then put your profile in front of hiring captains and managers. Create a free crew profile to get found.
Browse live yacht mate jobs in Fort Lauderdale and other hubs, or sign up free to apply directly, no agency fees.
At $6,500 to $9,500 a month, an experienced yacht mate earns roughly $78,000 to $114,000 a year, with food and lodging on top.
On charter yachts, crew share guest gratuities, which can add a meaningful amount on top of salary during a busy season.