yacht agent salary

How Much Do Yacht Brokers Make? (Helpful Examples)

Yacht brokers can be a great help when you are looking to buy or sell a yacht.

It’s always nice to know exactly how much they typically make from the sale. This way you can (often) negotiate a better deal and make sure you are not being ripped off!

How Much Do Yacht Brokers Make? The base salary for a yacht broker is typically between $15,000-$30,000. On top of that, a yacht broker typically earns around 10% commission on the sale value depending on the size of the vessel.

Here are the salary and commissions yacht brokers typically make from a sale.

Table of Contents

How Much Do Yacht Brokers Make in Salary?

Depending on who they work for, a yacht broker might make a base salary and commissions on top of that.

If a company is paying a base salary, they are not likely to pay as high of a commission as you would get in a commission only position.

Yacht broker base salaries could range from around $15,000 to around $30,000.

This is not a large amount of money, which is why yacht brokers rely heavily on commission to make their money.

Oftentimes, yacht brokers do not get a base salary and will work solely on commission.

How Much Do Yacht Brokers Make in Commissions?

Because yacht brokers work mainly on commission, you will want to ensure that you have sales skills before you try to make a living as a yacht broker.

Like the real estate industry, yacht brokers usually get the commission paid to them by the seller involved in the transaction.

There are two ways that commission can be calculated, either using a net number or a percentage.

Net Commission Levels:

A net number is when the commission is a set number negotiated with a seller. This means that no matter the price received for the boat, the yacht broker will get paid the amount agreed upon.

There are some pros and cons to this method.

If you have a set commission then you know what you are making up front. This can be ideal if you like having security in your commission.

This also means that if the boat sells for less than you anticipated, your commission will still be what was originally agreed upon instead of decreasing with a low sale.

This also means that unfortunately if you sell the boat for higher than anticipated, your commission will not be increased to reflect the sale amount.

If you are the seller, the pros and cons of using a net commission are reversed. If you sell the boat for a lower amount, you will have to pay more in commission than you might have with a percentage, but if you sell the boat for more than anticipated you will profit more from the sale with a lower commission.

An example of a net yacht commission might be:

• If the yacht does sell for $500,000.00 you would make 10% on the sale.
• If the yacht sells for less, such as $450,000.00 you would make 11% commission.
• If the yacht sells for more, such as $550,000.00 you will only make 9% commission.

Percentage Commission Levels:

A percentage commission is where you get a certain percentage of the sales price of the yacht. This means that your commission will change based on how much you are able to get for the boat.

The downside to this is that your commission is based entirely on how well you do with the sale. If you do not sell the boat for as much as you anticipated, you will make less money.

However, if you end up selling the boat for more than anticipated you will make more.

The majority of yacht transactions use a percentage commission structure. The percentage is often agreed upon between the seller and the broker in advance.

The most common commission for a yacht broker is 10% of the sales price. This is not a number that is set in stone.

An example of a standard commission sale would be:

If you have a yacht that you would like to sell for $500,000 and you have agreed upon a 10% commission your profits could vary:

• If the yacht does sell for $500,000.00 you would make $50,000.00 on the sale.
• If the yacht sells for less, such as $450,000.00 you will only make $45,000.00 from the commission.
• If the yacht sells for more, such as $550,000.00 you would make $55,000.00 from the commission.

Some brokers may offer a lower commission option to bring in sales and stay competitive. These could be between 3%-5%.

One downfall to a lower commission is that it discourages brokers who might have potential buyers. This is because usually, the buying and selling broker split the commission. If a buying broker can show their clients a yacht that would get them a higher commission, they are more likely to do so.

Commission Splitting Levels:

Commissions are typically paid by the seller of the yacht. If the transaction involves two brokers, they often split the commission 50/50.

An example of a split commission could be:

If you have a yacht that you would like to sell for $500,000 and you have agreed upon a 10% commission and there are two brokers the transaction would vary.

• If the yacht does sell for $500,000.00 you and the other broker would make $25,000.00 on the sale.
• If the yacht sells for less, such as $450,000.00 you and the other broker would each make $22,500.00 from the commission.
• If the yacht sells for more, such as $550,000.00 you and the other broker would make $27,500.00 from the commission.

This means that the buyer does not pay commission to their agent and that it comes out of the commission paid to the selling agent.

If a deal is negotiated beforehand it is possible that the commission is split differently. Local brokers that work together often might have a deal set that splits commission 70/30 with 70% going to the selling broker.

You may also have to split commission if you work for a brokerage company or dealership. Brokerage companies or dealerships will likely only give you a percentage of the commission earned.

This amount can range from 30% to 70% of the collected brokerage amount. This number could be affected by base salary and other factors depending on what company you work for.

An example of a commission when working for a brokerage company or dealership might be:

If you have a yacht that you would like to sell for $500,000 and your contract states that you get 70% of the commission per yacht that you sell.

• If the yacht does sell for $500,000.00 the commission would be $50,000.00. You would get $35,000.00 and your company would get $15,000.00.
• If the yacht sells for less, such as $450,000.00 the commission would only be $45,000.00. You would get $31,500.00 and your company would get $13,500.00.
• If the yacht sells for more, such as $550,000.00 the commission would total $55,000.00. You would get $38,500.00 and your company would get $16,500.00.

Even though you make less commission, working for a company is a great way to start your client base. Most people would rather go to a trusted company or dealership than someone working out on their own.

How Do I Become a Yacht Broker?

If this job seems ideal for you, there are some steps that you need to take before you can become a yacht broker.

One way to become more attractive as a yacht broker is to get a degree in marketing or sales. This degree is not required, but a lot of companies will look at candidates who have a higher level of education and some knowledge in these fields.

You will also be more likely to get a job as a yacht broker if you have sales experience.

If you do not have sales experience you should look for entry-level positions that will put you through a training course.

If you cannot find a position in yacht sales, having experience selling other high ticket items, such as cars, will help to show future employers that you have a proven sales record.

In some states, you might be required to obtain a brokerage license. You might also be required to pass a background check before being able to obtain this license.

If you do not need a license, you might benefit from getting certified. Organizations such as Yacht Brokers Association of America can certify you after 3 years of experience. This will help raise your credibility to employers and potential customers.

Overall, with salary and commissions, as a yacht broker, you could make an average of $121,000 per year. This depends highly on location and type of yachts sold. Some yacht brokers even make closer to $300,000.00 per year.

Yacht brokers should be sales motivated and thrive in an unconditional work environment. They do not spend the majority of their time behind a desk. Being a yacht broker can be challenging and highly rewarding!

Click to share...

Essential Guides

Ocean Mapping

New to Yachting

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.

After two exceptional years of dealing with Covid 19 and the impact it had on recruiting, the past year was very upbeat and fast-paced for yacht crew placement. The most significant trend was the extension of scheduled or rotational leave to positions outside of the engine room and the bridge. 

The search and placement market has changed and crew are increasingly seeking a harmonious work-life balance. Although yachting salaries and leave packages are generally competitive, we have found that yachts need to be increasingly flexible to attract the best crew. Flexibility with regards to leave has become a key factor for all departments and allows for a larger pool of candidates who are fully committed to the yacht, its programme and owner.

Improved Leave Packages For Yacht Crew

Both the Deck/Bosun’s and the Interior/Galley Departments have witnessed a steady trend towards increased leave packages. For example, Senior Stews are now looking for a minimum of 90 days leave and 95% of the Chief Stews are looking for full rotation. Many Stew Head of Departments have come to realize that they too can benefit from scheduled or rotational leave that has in the past been reserved for the Engineers or Officer/Captains Departments.

Additionally, and in order to compete with the larger yachts, an important number of yachts under 70metres are now also considering increased leave packages to secure top crew.

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 [email protected] for any further information.

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

For 50m — 70m the salary is based on the candidates holding a Y2 / SV Chief 9000kw

For 70m — 80m the salary is based on the candidates holding a Y1 / SV Chief 9000kw

For 80m — 100m the salary is based on the candidates holding a Y1/Class I

For 100m+ the salary is based on the candidates holding a Class I

Second Engineer:

For 40m — 50m the salary is based on the candidates holding an AEC

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€

For 70m — 80m the salary is based on the candidates holding a Y3 / SV Chief 3000kw

For 80m — 100m the salary is based on the candidates holding a Y2/Class II

For 100m+ the salary is based on the candidates holding a Class I/Class II

Third Engineer:

For 70m — 80m the salary is based on the candidates holding a AEC

For 80m — 100m the salary is based on the candidates holding an EOOW - equal rotation or 4:2 for example

For 100m+ the salary is based on the candidates holding an EOOW - equal rotation or 4:2 for example

For 80m — 100m the salary is based on the candidates holding a STCW III/4

For 100m+ the salary is based on the candidates holding a STCW III/4

Are you ready to find your new ideal job on board a yacht?

Become a member of YPI CREW and connect with our recruiters so they can guide you through your job search.  

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.

Are you looking for yacht crew for your yacht?

Contact our recruiters who will strive to find the perfect fit to your existing crew by presenting suitable, available and interested candidates, who will be pre-interviewed and credentials checked.​

You can get in touch with us today by clicking here .

Explore the latest in yachting

YPI CREW Will be Attending the Superyacht Technology Network Conference in Barcelona

Is a career in the yachting industry a good fit for me?

Webinar Friday, 15th March: How to Start Your Yachting Career as a Superyacht Stew?

YPI CREW TEAM

Meet our recruitment team.

YACHT CREW GUIDES

Download free yachting cv templates, let’s get started. call us on +33 (0)4 92 90 46 10 or email us..

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

30m — 40m

40m — 50m

50m — 70m

70m — 80m

80m — 100m

Chief Officer

First Officer*

Second Officer

Third Officer

Specialised Deckhand**

Deckhand Junior

4 500—6 000

45–60 days

3 500—4 500

2 800—3 000

45 days

6 000—9 000

3 500—5 500

8 000—13 000

45–60 days or equal rotation

5 500—7 000

50–60 days

3 800—4 000

9 000—18 000

60-90 days or equal rotation

6 000—7 500

5 000—6 500

5 000—5 500

60–90 days

14 000—20 000

7 000—9 500

5 500—6 500

61-90 days or equal rotation

4 000—5 000

3:1 rotation

90 days or 3:1 rotation

15 000—23 000

8 500—11 000

62-90 days or equal rotation

Discretionary

Equal rotation

9 500 + discretionary

7 500—10 000

6 500—7 500

4 500—5 500

3:1 rotation or equal rotation

Salary (€)

Chief Engineer

1st Engineer

Second Engineer

Third Engineer

ETO & AV/IT

4 000—6 000

Non-rotational

5 000—8 000

Non-rotational or equal rotation

7 500—10 000+

6 500—7 000

Non rotation or rotation

6 000—7 000

11 000—15 000+

7 000 — 8 000

Non-rotation or rotation

3 200—4 000

7 000—8 000+

13 000—15 000+

8 500—10 000

8 000—10 000

Head Chef/Sole Chef

4 500*—5 500

5 000—6 000

2:2 rotation or non-rotational

6 000—8 500

4 000—5 000***

6 000**—9 000

4 000****—6 000

4 500*****—6 000

2:2 rotation

Head of Service

Head of Housekeeping

Experienced Stew 1–3 years experience

Junior Stew 0–1 years experience 

3 500—4 000

2 800—3 300

4 000—5 500

3 000—4 500

3 000—4 500

4 500—6 000

3 800—4 250

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+

7 000—8 000

equal rotation

90 days+ or equal rotation

4500—5 500

8 000—9 500

7 000—8 500

5 000—6 000

Spa Manager (with yachting experience)

Spa Therapist (with advanced level training)

Masseuse / Beautician (with basic training courses)

Personal Trainer

Laundry Master

3 300—4 500

4 000—4 500

4 000—5 000

90 days + or equal rotation

Our Mission, Vision and Values

Mlc 2006 compliance, essential guides, yacht crew positions.

Interior Crew

Spa Manager

Spa Therapist

Personal Trainer & Yoga Instructor

Hairdresser

Mandatory Certificates

B1/b2 visa information, how to write a memorable cv, how to prepare for an interview, yachting seasons, yacht crew salary guide, is yachting the right choice for me, cv templates, ocean mapping, new to yachting.

+33 (0)4 92 90 46 10

[email protected]

• Brokerage New Construction How to Buy How to Sell
• Yacht Fleet Yacht Catalog Charter Marketing Destination Guides
• Financial Services Payroll & Accounting Payroll Service Process Logistical Support Admin Services Crew Admin
• Job Descriptions Crew FAQ
• About Sitemap

Yachting Crew Salary Guidelines and Position Descriptions

The salary guidelines are utilized by an array of industry professionals worldwide as a reliable benchmark for yacht crew salaries. This active data is taken from the thousands of live crew profiles who are placed on yachts by Luxury Yacht Group every year. New members joining the industry turn to the websites ‘Department Descriptions’ to learn the essentials before taking the plunge.

For years Luxury Yacht Group has established themselves as the busiest, most reputable crew agency in the yachting industry. Founder and President Rupert Connor launched the company in 2001 with that exact goal in mind. Over the past decade and a half, the agency has grown in major proportions with offices located across the globe, and expansions into the yacht operations, charter and sales divisions.

The recently launched ‘Yacht Department Directory’ allows you to read about each individual department, and browse through the positions within. Each department is responsible for a unique set of tasks onboard, and is suited for individuals with specific skillsets and experience. The salary guides show a range of pay according to position.

Within each profession there is a detailed break-down of the job and its’ corresponding salary range. These pages are incredibly beneficial to owners and crew, as well as candidates joining the industry. They explain in depth what role each person plays onboard, their specific duties, and the required skills. They also advise which characteristics could be ‘salary modifiers’. In the case of captain as example, a skillset that would modify the salary in a positive way would be speaking multiple languages, but limited experience in the intended cruising area (specific to that job) could result in a decrease of monthly pay. Luxury Yacht Group has meticulously thought about all the factors and attributes that come into play.

The information under each department is also highly beneficial to any crew member looking to further their career on yachts. It clearly lays out the necessary career path for each profession, and goes into detail about how many years’ experience is needed, or what licenses are required to progress. For example, a bosun trying to advance to an officer position will typically have at least three years’ experience, and will have to get the required Officer of the Watch license at a minimum. Holders of an OOW are capable of leading navigational watches with confidence, and the captain will rely on these candidates to manage the deck team.

Another nifty feature inside these pages are the ‘Position Statistics’ which illustrate how many candidates the live data is actively pulling from. At the time of writing this article, statistics for the captain position stated: “Our data is calculated from 17,773 relevant work experience records out of 70,107 experiences in the deck department.” It also goes on to show the average longevity in this position is at 751 days, and that there are 491 candidates currently available as captains on Luxury Yacht Group’s books. This data is alive and will adjust regularly as crew filter in and out of jobs.

It’s tools like these that have given Luxury Yacht Group their edge over competitors. The agency continues to grow and refine the largest professional yacht crew database in the industry. The team has degrees in management, business, engineering, marketing and design. Many of their employees have come from a background in yachting and bring with them factual onboard yachting experiences, positioning Luxury Yacht Group as a well-rounded leader in their field.

Engineering License Changes

The MCA has restructured the engineering certifications. The MEOL course has been done away with, and the AEC course made mandatory and more thorough. Luxury Yacht Group explains all these changes, what engineers progressing through the ranks can do now, and how Y ticket holders can convert their licenses over to the structure.

14 Mar 2018

A Day in the Life Series – Chief Stewardess

For a yacht to run smoothly, it requires many working parts, and the interior department is a large component of this. The chief stewardess oversees this department and makes sure all the stewardesses onboard know what their tasks and responsibilities are. The interior department is largely in charge of the guest services whilst they are onboard, and responsible for interior maintenance of the yacht when they are not.

18 Dec 2017

A Day in the Life Of Series - Entry Stewardess

Joining the yachting industry is an exciting and daunting undertaking. In this two part interview we speak with Melanie about why she decided to join the superyacht industry, what her hopes and goals are, and what she has learnt so far as an entry level stewardess.

29 Nov 2017

Yacht Crew Salaries: The Current State

Posted October 12, 2023 by Ashleigh King

The topic of salaries in the yachting industry has gained attention this year, with a growing sense of awareness and discussion. Louisa had the opportunity to speak with several dedicated crew members who have shared their thoughts and concerns about this matter. With the ever-changing economic landscape, it’s crucial to assess whether salaries for yacht crew have adapted to these shifts in a positive direction.

A comprehensive analysis of Dockwalk’s salary surveys over the past several years reveals a rather consistent pattern spanning a 15-year period. Specifically, when comparing salaries in euros for a 50-meter yacht between 2008 and 2023, certain trends emerge. In the case of Captains, the industry average in 2008 ranged from 7,000 to 10,000 euros per month, while this year, it has extended from 7,000 to 15,000 euros per month. Similarly, Chief Engineers in 2008 were earning an average of 5,000 to 7,000 euros per month, whereas in 2023, their earnings range from 5,000 to 10,000 euros per month. It is noteworthy that while the lower-end salaries have remained relatively consistent, the upper-end figures have witnessed a significant increase, aligning more closely with industry expectations.

While the top-end salaries can be attributed to experience and longevity, it remains pertinent to question why the baseline salaries have remained at their current level. This inquiry may stem from the various factors related to job availability and individual crew preferences. It’s possible that, after a period of uncertainty, many crew members are now placing a higher value on the stability of full-time positions over seeking higher pay.

Engaging with numerous crew members who express diverse expectations and requirements underscores the challenge of establishing industry standards, especially considering the growing prevalence of rotational contracts. A notable example illustrates this complexity: I recently met a Captain who was perplexed by the stark disparity in his salary compared to that of a colleague. However, one crucial aspect he overlooked was that his counterpart had been with the same owner for four additional years, underscoring the significance of longevity in this profession.

Furthermore, entry-level crew members are facing their own set of challenges. Green crew are currently being offered a monthly compensation of 2,000 euros, which is nearly the same from 15 years ago when it ranged from 2,000 to 2,500 euros.

While the average monthly compensation for green crew hasn’t seen substantial growth over the past 15 years, it’s essential to acknowledge the rising costs associated with crew housing, food, and travel. In this light, exploring creative solutions to improve the financial well-being of entry-level crew members is a valuable consideration.

While the topic of salary stagnation in the yachting industry has raised concerns, there is also a silver lining. Salaries for experienced crew members have been on an upward trajectory, and the industry is evolving to accommodate different needs and preferences. By focusing on the positive aspects of these changes, we can look forward to a brighter future for all members of the yacht crew community.

Download our Crew Salary Guideline PDFs in Dollars and Euros for more helpful information.

With our presence established in the key yachting hubs worldwide, we stand ready to address all your crew-related requirements. Don’t hesitate to reach out and schedule a consultation with one of our dedicated N&J Crew team members today!

Proud to be part of the MarineMax family

© 2024 Northrop & Johnson

Superyacht Crew Salaries: First Report Released 

• Inspiration

Related News

Popular news this week, popular news this month, latest news.

• Yacht Charter & Superyacht News >

Written by Maria Korotaeva

Many life-long careers in the yachting industry have begun as a seasonal job or gap year with a desire to visit exotic destinations. The continual change and challenges that come with each new charter group make the positive feedback even more satisfying and those with lifelong wanderlust have a rare opportunity to see some of the world’s most incredible cities and scenery .  

Seahwak’s Crew

Working on a luxury yacht isn’t without its drawbacks, however: Weeks at a time spent away from home, long working hours in the peak seasons and ensuring that everything runs smoothly when you’re far from the port can all take their toll. When performing tasks that can be as equally trying as they are rewarding, crew members want to assure that their pay reflects the professionalism and high degree of detail that they put into each day.  

Following the launch of free salary-sharing platform www.yachtingsalaries.com in March 2016, YPI CREW has revealed its first report into the salaries paid to the crew on luxury yachts of various sizes.  

Covering the period between 2016/2017, the results not only provide transparency to crew members but help employers to attract and retain individuals with exceptional skills. The occupations covered range from captains to deckhands and compare pay for permanent, private, rotation and charter crew: Find out how the charter industry measures up to the other sectors.  

446 captains submitted information to www.yachtingsalaries.com, and the data revealed that 13% worked on sailing yachts and the other 83% on motor yachts. Captains on larger yachts earned more per month than captains of smaller vessels to create an upward trend, although M/Y captains of 35m-51m superyachts fared particularly well, with a jump in salary from €9,000 per month for 41m-50m yachts up to €13,000 p/m for larger luxury yachts. Private and permanent captains tended to earn the most for their size category, with permanent captains coming out slightly ahead.  

Sailing yacht captains tended to earn the same as on motor yachts for the 0-35m and 35-40m vessels, earned more than motor yacht captains in the 41-50m category by €2,000 per month, and earned less than motor yacht captains by €2,000 in the 51-65m category.  

Crew aboard Crose Del Sud

Technical Crew  

239 of the 434 technical crew surveyed were chief engineers, and on charter yachts, they earned an excellent salary compared to private, permanent and rotational counterparts on the same-sized yacht: In the 0-35m size category, they earned €6,000 per month compared to €5,500. Salary levelled off in the 80-100m category, with chief engineers on charters earning slightly less than others with a salary of €9,500.  

Second engineers were the most stable across the sectors and received a steady pay of between €48,000, rising to €70,000 on the largest yachts. Second engineers on charter yachts were paid considerably more per month than permanent and private second engineers within the 51-65m and 66-80m categories, earning between €5,000-€10,000 more in the former category and €2,000-€5,000 per month more in the latter.  

Third engineers earned between €2,500 and €5,000 per month, with the pay scale raising incrementally based on yacht size.  

Luxury superyacht crew

Deck officers

69% of the 224 deck officers who took part in the survey were permanent and 31% rotational. Second and third officers had a greater chance of occupying a rotational position (50% and 70%), making deck officers the most likely crew members to have rotational work. Deck officers on charter yachts tended to earn less than counterparts on similarly-sized vessels, and private and permanent positions provide the most stable throughout.   

Salaries for chief officers on charter yachts ranged from under €4,000 per month on 0-35m vessels to over €8,000 on 81-100m vessels and dropping slightly in the category of 101+m  

Data for 2nd and 3rd officers was more sporadic, and charter position salaries ranged from €3,800 for both positions on yachts 51-65m and upwards.  

Although 127 chefs participated in the survey, results were varied both for yacht sizes and sectors, producing the unusual graph where the head chefs on a 0-35m and 66-80m yacht were earning approximately the same (€4,000 per month) while on other sized charter yachts the head chefs were earning between €5,000 and €8,000. Of the head chefs who submitted data. 85% were permanent and 15% on rotation.  

Dining aboard superyacht SuRi

Vessel size seemed to play a part in the salary of sous chefs, with each type of employees earning more on larger yachts. 71% were permanent, and 29% were temporary.  

Pursers, Stewards and Stewardesses  

For the 2016/2017 report, only 27 pursers, 68 chief stewards/stewardesses and 27-second stewards/stewardesses provided information, and there are therefore too few results to make solid conclusions about industry salaries in this area. Of the pursers, salary varies from €5,000 per month to €7,000 and remuneration did not have any correlation with the size of the yacht and salary was stable regardless of the type of employment, although results were the most unstable in the 66-80m category.  

Excellent service onboard

Chief stewards and stewardesses received greater salaries for working on larger yachts, with rotation, permanent and private employment having the most stable salaries and charter crew the most variable: salary on a 51-65m superyacht was €6,500 per month, whereas under €6,000 was paid to stewards and stewardesses aboard 66-80m vessels and smaller yachts.  

The results of the second stewards and stewardesses had the most variability, with charter and rotation crew earning under €3,000 for 66-80m vessels while private and permanent crew earned €5,000.  

Deckhands  

Deckhand salaries tended not to vary depending on the size of the vessel, and 93% were permanent and 7% on rotation aboard motor yachts, while sailing yachts had 100%, permanent crew. From the 87 deckhands that contributed to the study, data revealed that salaries tended to range between €2,100 – €3,000 per month, regardless of whether the yacht was a charter, private or permanent. Deckhands on rotation earned €3,000-€9,000 less depending on the size of the yacht.  

The website  www.yachtingsalaries.com currently has 2,857 searchable salaries and includes other professions such as bosun and helicopter pilot, as well as the full comprehensive report. Results are searchable at any time, and the next report is due in November 2018.    

Please contact CharterWorld - the luxury yacht charter specialist - for more on superyacht news item "Superyacht Crew Salaries: First Report Released ".

• Charity & Fund Raising
• CharterWorld News
• Classic Yachts
• Coronavirus
• Cruise Ship
• Ecological Yachts
• Expedition Yachts
• Expert Broker Advice
• Feature Superyachts
• Interior Design
• Legal & VAT Yacht Issues
• Luxury Catamarans
• Luxury Gulet
• Luxury Phinisi
• Luxury Trimarans
• Luxury Yacht Design
• Luxury Yachts
• Marinas & Harbours
• Marine Ecology
• Marine Electronics
• Marine Equipment
• Mega Yachts
• Modern Yachts
• Motor Yachts
• New Launch Yachts
• New To Charter
• Open Style Sports Yachts
• Private Jets
• Sailing Yachts
• Social Media
• Sports Yachts
• Superyacht Crew
• Superyacht Photographers
• Superyacht Products & Supplies
• Superyacht Refits
• Superyacht Reviews
• Superyachts
• Uncategorized
• Yacht Builders
• Yacht Charter
• Yacht Charter Destinations
• Yacht Charter Picks
• Yacht Charter Specials
• Yacht Delivered to Owner
• Yacht Designers
• Yacht Events & Boat Shows
• Yacht Fashion
• Yacht Industry News
• Yacht Photos
• Yacht Racing
• Yacht Racing & Regattas
• Yacht Safety Equipment
• Yacht Support Vessels
• Yacht Tenders
• Yacht Videos
• Yachting Associations
• Yachting Awards
• Yachting Business
• Yachts For Charter
• Yachts For Sale

Quick Enquiry

Superyacht news:.

Email Your Yachting News to: news @ charterworld.com

Viking Recruitment expands and moves office

The 2010 Genoa Charter Yacht Show Starts Tomorrow and Features Superyacht ICON 62, TRIDENT, BISTANGO and CLOUD NINE

2011 MYBA Genoa Yacht Charter Show expands with extra dockage

Inaugural Superyacht Captains Forum in Auckland a success – Superyacht Captains enjoy Pacific tour

39m luxury yacht EVOLUTION for charter on Australia’s east coast

Charter Special on board 36m luxury yacht CALYPSO I from Italy to Greece

Croatian charter yacht LA PERLA offering 10% discount on exclusive vacations in the Adriatic

Charter a yacht during the Monaco Historic and F1 Grand Prix festivals and soak up the atmosphere from on deck

Westport announce the first hull of their 36m W117 range is nearing completion

Superyacht LAUNCHPAD previously Feadship 1010 delivered

65m Feadship superyacht PROMISE.D delivered

Discover our Top 10 brand new yachts available for charter worldwide this year

Florida charter yacht REAL SUMMERTIME offering 10% discount

Discover summer in New England aboard a luxury charter yacht: Escape to this beautiful northeast corner of the USA

Looking ahead to the 2024 MYBA Charter Show in Genoa

Last minute yacht charter deals in the Bahamas

49m sailing yacht ANIMA MARIS is offering discounted rates for the remaining summer weeks in Croatia

Looking For Work ?

Back to Blog

Captains Clients Superyacht Industry Insights

Superyacht Captain salary survey 2023 18 December 2023

captain salary survey crew salary survey superyacht captain superyacht salaries yacht captain

In our biggest salary survey yet, we have uncovered detailed insights into Superyacht Captain salary and leave packages.

Almost 300 Captains responded across a range of yacht sizes from sub-30m to 100m+. In addition to average pay and leave, pay rise and bonus activity, the 20+ page report also compares Captain and Chief Officer experience, ticket level, longevity onboard and comparisons to our 2020 and 2022 survey findings.

Some top-level statistics are:

• Every yacht bracket has seen a salary rise since 2020 and 2022.
• Full rotation is also increasing and becoming more prevalent on sub-50m yachts, with an 11% decline overall in Captains with less than 59 days leave.
• Two-fifths of Captains receive an annual pay rise, although this is not part of their contract.
• 38% receive a 13th-month bonus, but random and unpredictable bonuses are more commonplace.
• 70% of Captains have Master 3000.
• Exactly half of the Captains who responded have more than 10 years’ experience in the role and 32% were Chief Officers for 3 to 5 years prior.
• A third have been Captains on their current yacht for more than 3 years.
• Flight allowance improves with yacht size, with 49% of Captains receiving Business Class flights as part of their package.
• The average age at which respondents first became Captain is 32.5 years old.

The full report contains a comprehensive analysis of salaries and leave in each yacht size bracket and also compares full time with rotational roles, as well as explores any correlation between experience and type of ticket.

Simon Ladbrooke, Captain Consultant at Quay Crew, commented:

“In our most detailed salary report to date, we have gained an insight into the real-time compensation Captains receive, broken down by yacht size and with several other comparables too.

“A key takeaway this year is that, despite a slight decline in salaries between 2020 and 2022, the average monthly pay is now higher across all size brackets, representing a median 6.75% increase.

“Time for time rotation has also grown in popularity on all sized yachts, with the exception of <39m yachts which are all full-time at the moment.

“By gathering Chief Officer experience as well as longevity on their current yacht, we can surmise that onboard promotion is on the rise. The average age that someone becomes Captain is now older and the number of years of experience as Chief Officer is higher, suggesting the transition is also taking longer.

“This is undoubtedly down to there being more competition amongst candidates and it being more difficult to make that initial step up.

“Yet, almost three-quarters say it took them less than 6 months to get their first Captain role. This could be, along with the extensive CO experience demonstrated in this survey, largely down to onboard promotion.

Having said that, we were very surprised at this statistic as it doesn’t match at all with our experience. Often, Chief Officers are looking for several years before they finally get their opportunity. It’s something we definitely want to explore further in another survey.”

All HOD salary surveys are available on our client portal, which you can request access to here.

About the author

Simon Ladbrooke

Compassion at christmas: the yachting edition, interview questions to ask as a captain candidate, keep up to date sign up to the quay crew newsletter.

I have read the Terms & Conditions and would like to be added to the mailing list

• Superyacht Recruitment Services
• Superyacht Captain Recruitment
• Partnerships
• Meet the Team
• Work for Us
• Land-based Recruitment Services
• Private Residence Recruitment Services
• Current Vacancies
• Crew Resources
• Candidate Registration
• Client Login / Register
• Candidate Login / Register