How to use the data presented here
The table has been drawn up with the information collated with figures from the past year within various yacht departments. Please note that they an indication only of starting salaries and the actual salary will vary depending on multiple factors.
Many elements need to be taken into consideration with regards to yacht crew salaries and not just the size of the yacht. The type of yacht (motor or sail), its usage (private, charter or both) and cruising schedule will influence the salary offered. Additionally, key elements of the candidate’s profile must also be reviewed, what is their previous experience, how long have they been in a particular role, have they recently acquired a new qualification, and do they have a specialised skill set that will influence the salary negotiation?
The highlighted section corresponds to yachts who offer a scheduled leave or rotational package.
Salaries here need to be modulated in accordance with the type of rotation offered, 5:1; 3:1 or 2:2 for example. There may be several different rotational schemes on a particular yacht, 5:1 for the junior crew, 3:1 for the intermediary position and full rotation for positions of responsibility.
The rotational salary is generally only a reduced monthly reduction (between 10 and 20%) and allows for a larger pool of candidates who are fully committed to the yacht, its programme and owner.
For many key roles, professional qualifications are the basis to establishing a guideline salary, notably in the Engineering and Officer’s Department.
Following the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the yachting industry in 2020, the past 2021 was considered the year of revival for yacht crew placement.
With regards to salaries, the market saw a return to stability and no major new trends were recorded. There is always increased pressure to offer a scheduled leave or rotational scheme that now starts with yachts in the 40 to 50 metre range.
HOW MUCH DOES YACHT CREW EARN
Yacht Crew Salary Guide
The yachting industry is more appealing than ever, but it comes with its own set of challenges. With so many candidates available, the task is to match the right talent with the right yacht efficiently.
In this evolving market, crew members are prioritising a balanced work-life dynamic. While salaries and leave packages in yachting are usually competitive, flexibility is now crucial for attracting top-notch crew. Offering more flexibility in leave allows for a broader selection of candidates who are dedicated to the yacht, its schedule and its owner.
Key trends in superyacht crew recruitment
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Offering Competitive Compensation Packages
Salaries and leave packages remain a crucial factor in attracting skilled crew members. Highly qualified crew are seeking packages that accurately reflect their expertise, certifications and the value they bring to their roles onboard.
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Preference for Work-Life Balance
The desire for a better work-life balance continues to be prevalent among superyacht crew. This includes preferences for rotational positions that allow for scheduled time off, as well as yachts with itineraries that offer a good mix of guest-on and guest-off periods. Employers are responding by adjusting leave schedules and offering more flexible contracts to attract and retain top talent.
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Emphasis on Soft Skills
While technical prowess remains crucial, there's a growing recognition of the importance of soft skills. Attributes such as teamwork, communication, and adaptability are increasingly emphasised during the recruitment process, reflecting the collaborative nature of yacht crew work and the premium placed on guest experience.
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Underscoring Sustainability and Environmental Awareness
With increasing awareness of environmental issues, conversations are developing around sustainable practices. This includes expertise in managing waste, reducing emissions and operating advanced environmental technology on board.
Deck Department
All the Captain and Officer salaries will depend on experience and maritime qualifications.
* On smaller yachts the First Officer is generally referred to as the Mate or First Mate. On yachts over 100m / 3000GT there are often two distinct roles for a First Officer and a Chief Officer.
** Specialised Deckhand positions will englobe a Deckhand Tender Driver, Kite Surfer, Carpenter, Diver etc.
Sole/Chief Engineer:
-
For 30m — 40m the salary is based on the candidates holding an AEC/Y4
-
For 40m — 50m the salary is based on the candidates holding a Y3 / SV Chief 3000kw
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For 50m — 70m the salary is based on the candidates holding a Y2 / SV Chief 9000kw
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For 70m — 80m the salary is based on the candidates holding a Y1 / SV Chief 9000kw
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For 80m — 100m the salary is based on the candidates holding a Y1/Class I
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For 100m+ the salary is based on the candidates holding a Class I
Second Engineer:
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For 40m — 50m the salary is based on the candidates holding an AEC
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For 50m — 70m the salary is based on the candidates holding a Y3 / SV Chief 3000kw and on rotation. If the role is permanent then an EOOW qualification is required and the salary would be 5 000—6 500€
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For 70m — 80m the salary is based on the candidates holding a Y3 / SV Chief 3000kw
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For 80m — 100m the salary is based on the candidates holding a Y2/Class II
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For 100m+ the salary is based on the candidates holding a Class I/Class II
Third Engineer:
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For 70m — 80m the salary is based on the candidates holding a AEC
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For 80m — 100m the salary is based on the candidates holding an EOOW - equal rotation or 4:2 for example
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For 100m+ the salary is based on the candidates holding an EOOW - equal rotation or 4:2 for example
Motorman:
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For 80m — 100m the salary is based on the candidates holding a STCW III/4
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For 100m+ the salary is based on the candidates holding a STCW III/4
Please note that the salaries below are an indication only of starting salaries and that the actual salary will vary depending on multiple factors; job specific skills, professional qualifications and experience.
YPI CREW now offers a bespoke service for our yacht clients to assist with salary reviews and comparative analysis. Contact chloe@ypicrew.com for any further information.
Download the newest Crew Recruitment Market Report
Download the YPI CREW Recruitment Market Report for an in-depth analysis of current trends in superyacht crew recruitment. Gain valuable insights into the market dynamics and trends specific to each department, providing a comprehensive overview of the industry landscape.
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Engineering Department
Chef Department
* No yachting experience
** Rotational positions start at 6 000€ while non-rotational positions start at 7 000€
*** Combined Cook/Stew or Cook/Deck role
**** Lower end refers to crew with no yachting experience
***** Rotational positions start at 4 500€ while non-rotational positions start at 5 000€
More and more yachts, from 30m+, are offering rotation at all levels in the galley in order to secure the best candidate on the market.
Interior Department
Specialist Positions
Below 30m
30m — 40m
40m — 50m
50m — 70m
70m — 80m
80m — 100m
100m +
Captain
Chief Officer
First Officer*
Second Officer
Third Officer
Bosun
Specialised Deckhand**
Deckhand Junior
4 500—6 000
45–60 days
—
3 500—4 500
45–60 days
—
—
—
—
2 800—3 000
45 days
7 000—9 000
45–60 days
—
3 500—5 500
45–60 days
—
—
3 500—4 500
50 days
3 250
50 days
2 800—3 000
45 days
8 000—13 000
45–60 days or equal rotation
5 500—7 000
45–60 days
—
—
—
3 500—4 500
50–60 days
3 800—4 000
50–60 days
2 800—3 000
50–60 days
9 000—18 000
60-90 days or equal rotation
6 000—7 500
60-90 days or equal rotation
—
5 000—6 500
60-90 days or equal rotation
5 000—5 500
60-90 days or equal rotation
3 500—4 500
60-90 days or equal rotation
3 800—4 000
60-90 days or equal rotation
2 800—3 000
60–90 days
14 000—20 000
60-90 days or equal rotation
7 000—9 500
60-90 days or equal rotation
—
5 500—6 500
60-90 days or equal rotation
5 000—5 500
61-90 days or equal rotation
4 000—5 000
3:1 rotation
3 800—4 000
3:1 rotation
2 800—3 000
90 days or 3:1 rotation
15 000—23 000
60-90 days or equal rotation
8 500—11 000
60-90 days or equal rotation
—
6 000+
60-90 days or equal rotation
5 500—6 500
62-90 days or equal rotation
4 000—5 000
3:1 rotation
3 800—4 000
3:1 rotation
2 800—3 000
3:1 rotation
Discretionary
Equal rotation
9 500 + discretionary
Equal rotation
7 500—10 000
Equal rotation
6 500—7 500
Equal rotation
5 500—6 500
Equal rotation
4 500—5 500
3:1 rotation or equal rotation
3 800—4 000
3:1 rotation or equal rotation
2 800—3 000
3:1 rotation
Salary (€)
Leave
Salary (€)
Leave
Salary (€)
Leave
Salary (€)
Leave
Salary (€)
Leave
Salary (€)
Leave
Salary (€)
Leave
Salary (€)
Leave
Below 30m
30m — 40m
40m — 50m
50m — 70m
70m — 80m
80m — 100m
100m +
Chief Engineer
1st Engineer
Second Engineer
Third Engineer
Motorman
ETO & AV/IT
—
—
—
—
—
—
4 000—6 000
Non-rotational
—
—
—
—
—
5 000—8 000
Non-rotational or equal rotation
—
3 500—4 500
Non-rotational
—
—
—
7 500—10 000+
Equal rotation
—
5 000—6 500
Equal rotation
—
—
—
10 000+
Equal rotation
—
6 500—7 000
Equal rotation
3 500—4 500
Non rotation or rotation
—
6 000—7 000
Equal rotation
11 000—15 000+
Equal rotation
—
7 000—8 000
Equal rotation
4 500—5 500
Non-rotation or rotation
3 200—4 000
Rotation
7 000—8 000+
Equal rotation
13 000—15 000+
Equal rotation
8 500—10 000
Equal rotation
6 500—7 500
Equal rotation
4 500—5 500
Rotation
3 200—4 000
Rotation
8 000—10 000
Equal rotation
Salary (€)
Leave
Salary (€)
Leave
Salary (€)
Leave
Salary (€)
Leave
Salary (€)
Leave
Salary (€)
Leave
Below 30m
30m — 40m
40m — 50m
50m — 70m
70m — 80m
80m — 100m
100m +
Head Chef/Sole Chef
Sous Chef
Third Chef
4 500*—5 500
Non-rotational
—
—
5 000—6 000
2:2 rotation or non-rotational
—
—
6 000—8 500
2:2 rotation or non-rotational
4 000—5 000***
Non-rotational
—
6 000**—9 000
2:2 rotation or non-rotational
4 000****—6 000
2:2 rotation or non-rotational
—
8 000+
2:2 rotation or non-rotational
4 500*****—6 000
2:2 rotation or non-rotational
4 500
2:2 rotation
8 500+
2:2 rotation or non-rotational
6 000+
2:2 rotation or non-rotational
4 500—5 500
2:2 rotation
10 000+
2:2 rotation or non-rotational
6 000+
2:2 rotation or non-rotational
4 500—5 500
2:2 rotation
Salary (€)
Leave
Salary (€)
Leave
Salary (€)
Leave
Below 30m
30m — 40m
40m — 50m
50m — 70m
70m — 80m
80m — 100m
100m +
Purser
Chief Stew
Head of Service
Head of Housekeeping
2nd Stew
Experienced Stew 1–3 years experience
Junior Stew 0–1 years experience
—
3 500—4 000
60 days
—
—
—
3 500—4 000
60 days +
2 800—3 300
60 days +
—
4 000—5 500
60 days
—
—
3 000—4 500
60 days +
3 000—4 500
60 days +
2 800—3 300
60 days
—
4 500—6 000
60 days +
—
—
3 800—4 250
60 days +
3 000—4 500
60 days +
2 800—3 300
60 days +
6 500—8 000
90 days+ or equal rotation
5 500—8 000
60 days+, 90 days+ or equal rotation
—
—
4 250—5 500
60 days+ or 90 days+
3 000—4 500
60 days +
2 800—3 300
60 days +
7 000—8 000
Equal rotation
7 000—8 000
equal rotation
4 500—5 500
90 days+ or equal rotation
4 500—5 500
90 days+ or equal rotation
4500—5 500
90 days+ or equal rotation
3 000—4 500
90 days +
2 800—3 300
90 days +
8 000—9 500
Equal rotation
7 000—8 500
Equal rotation
5 000—6 000
Equal rotation
5 000—6 000
Equal rotation
5 000—6 000
Equal rotation
3 000—4 500
90 days +
2 800—3 300
90 days +
8 500+
Equal rotation
8 500+
Equal rotation
5 500+
Equal rotation
5 500+
Equal rotation
5 500+
Equal rotation
3 000—4 500
90 days +
2 800—3 300
90 days +
Salary (€)
Leave
Salary (€)
Leave
Salary (€)
Leave
Salary (€)
Leave
Salary (€)
Leave
Salary (€)
Leave
Salary (€)
Leave
Below 30m
30m — 40m
40m — 50m
50m — 70m
70m — 80m
80m — 100m
100m +
Spa Manager (with yachting experience)
Spa Therapist (with advanced level training)
Masseuse / Beautician (with basic training courses)
Nurse
Personal Trainer
Laundry Master
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
4 000—5 000
60 days +
3 300—4 500
60 days +
4 000—4 500
60 days +
3 300—4 500
60 days +
—
—
4 000—5 000
60 days +
3 300—4 500
60 days +
4 000—5 000
60 days +
3 300—4 500
60 days +
—
—
4 000—5 000
90 days +
3 300—4 500
90 days +
4 000—5 000
90 days +
3 300—4 500
90 days +
3 500—4 500
60 days +
4 500+
Equal rotation
4 000—5 000
90 days +
3 300—4 500
90 days +
4 000—5 000
90 days + or equal rotation
3 300—4 500
90 days +
3 500—4 000
90 days +
4 500+
Equal rotation
4 000—5 000
90 days +
3 300—4 500
90 days +
4 000—5 000
Equal rotation
3 300—4 500
90 days +
4 000—5 000
Equal rotation
Salary (€)
Leave
Salary (€)
Leave
Salary (€)
Leave
Salary (€)
Leave
Salary (€)
Leave
Salary (€)
Leave
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Each of our recruiters is specialised in crew placement for a particular department and they will do their best to get you an interview on board a yacht. They will also advise you on how to best present your experience and skills and prepare for a yacht job interview.