HOW MUCH DO YACHT CREW EARN?
Yacht Crew Salary Guide 2026
Yacht crew salaries, rotations, and leave structures are evolving quickly. With increased competition for experienced crew and rising expectations around work-life balance, understanding current market benchmarks is essential for both crew and yacht owners.
This 2026 Salary Guide is based on live recruitment data and real placements handled by YPI CREW. It provides up-to-date salary ranges, rotation patterns, and market insights across all departments and yacht sizes, helping you make informed decisions with confidence. The data reflects current hiring activity across private and charter yachts, as well as trends we are seeing from both candidates and clients.
Whether you are negotiating your next role or reviewing packages for your yacht, the full 2026 Crew Recruitment Market Report gives you a clear, practical view of where the market stands today. It is designed to support fair, competitive decision-making in an increasingly complex recruitment landscape.
Key trends in superyacht crew recruitment
Competitive compensation packages
Salaries and leave remain central to attracting skilled crew, with experienced candidates seeking packages that reflect qualifications, certifications, and onboard responsibility.
Work-life balance and rotation
Crew continue to prioritise rotational roles, structured leave, and balanced itineraries. Yachts offering flexibility in rotation and leave are seeing stronger retention and wider candidate pools.
Soft skills and onboard culture
Alongside technical competence, communication, teamwork, and adaptability are increasingly valued, particularly in roles with guest-facing responsibilities.
Sustainability and environmental awareness
Environmental considerations are playing a growing role, including waste management, emissions reduction, and the operation of onboard environmental systems.
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.
Download the 2026 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.
Salaries shown are indicative starting ranges only and vary by role, experience, qualifications, and yacht requirements.
YPI CREW offers a bespoke salary review and market comparison service. Contact chloe@ypicrew.com for any further information.
Captain, Officer and Deck Salary and Leave Packages
Below 30m
30m — 40m
40m — 50m
50m — 60m
60m — 80m
80m — 100m
100m+
Captain
Chief Officer /
First Mate
First Officer
Second Officer
Third Officer
Bosun
Specialised Deckhand**
Junior Deckhand
5 000 - 6 000
60 days
3 500—4 500
60 days
—
—
—
—
—
3 000
45 days
6 000 - 9 000
60 days
3 500—4 500
60 days
—
—
—
3 500—4 500
50 days
3 250
50 days
3 000—3 200
45 days
8 500—12 500
60 days or equal rotation
5 500—7 000
45–60 days
—
—
—
3 750—4 500
50–60 days
3 800—4 000
50–60 days
3 000—3 200
50–60 days
10 000—16 000
60 days or equal rotation
7 000—8 000
60+ or equal rotation
—
5 000—6 000
60+ days or rotation
—
4 000—5 000
60-90 days or equal rotation
3 800—4 000
60-90 days or equal rotation
3 000—3 200
60–90 days
14 000—18 000
Equal rotation
7 000—9 000
Equal rotation
—
5 500—6 500
60 days+ or rotation
4 500+
90 days or equal rotation
4 000—5 500
3:1 rotation
3 800—4 000
3:1 rotation
2 800—3 000
90 days or 3:1 rotation
16 000—23 000
Equal rotation
8 000—10 000
Equal rotation
—
6 000+
Equal rotation
5 500—6 500
90 days or equal rotation
4 500—5 500
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—9 500
Equal rotation
6 500—7 500
Equal rotation
5 500—6 500
Equal rotation
5 000—6 000
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
Captain and Officer salaries depend on experience and maritime qualifications.
On smaller yachts, the Chief Officer is often called the Mate or First Mate, while yachts over 100m / 3000 GT typically distinguish between a First Officer and a Chief Officer.
** Specialised Deckhand positions include roles such as Tender Driver, Kite Surfer, Carpenter, Diver, Videographer, Photographer and more.
Engineering Salary and Leave Packages
Below 30m
30m — 40m
40m — 50m
50m — 60m
60m — 80m
80m — 100m
100m +
Chief Engineer
1st Engineer
Second Engineer
Third Engineer
Motorman
ETO & AV/IT
—
—
—
—
—
—
5 000—7 000
Non-rotational
—
—
—
—
—
6 500—8 000
Non or equal rotation
—
4 500—5 000
Non-rotational
—
—
—
8 000—12 000
Equal rotation
—
5 500—7 000
Equal rotation
—
—
—
11 000—12 000+
Equal rotation
—
7 000—8 000
Equal rotation
4 000—5 500
Non rotational
—
7 000—8 500
Equal rotation
12 000—15 000
Equal rotation
—
7 500—9 000
Equal rotation
5 000—6 000
Rotation
3 500—5 000
Rotation
8 500—10 000+
Equal rotation
13 000—15 000+
Equal rotation
8 500—10 000
Equal rotation
6 500—7 500
Equal rotation
5 000—6 000
Rotation
3 500—5 000
Rotation
9 000—10 000+
Equal rotation
Salary (€)
Leave
Salary (€)
Leave
Salary (€)
Leave
Salary (€)
Leave
Salary (€)
Leave
Salary (€)
Leave
Sole / Chief Engineer:
Salary levels typically align with the qualification required for the yacht size:
-
30–40m: AEC / EOOW
-
40–50m: Y3 / SV Chief 3000 kW
-
50–70m: Y1 / SV Chief 9000 kW
-
70–80m: Y1 / SV Chief 9000 kW
-
80–100m: Y1 / Class I
-
100m+: Class I
Second Engineer:
Salary expectations correspond to the following qualifications:
-
40–50m: AEC
-
50–60m: Y3 / SV 2nd Engineer (rotation).
-
If permanent: EOOW new entrant; salary €5 500–6 500
-
-
60–80m: Y3 / SV 2nd Engineer
-
80–100m: Class II / SV 2nd Engineer
-
100m+: Class I / Class II
Third Engineer:
-
60-70m: AEC (non rotation)
-
70–80m: AEC (rotation)
-
80–100m: EOOW
-
100m+: EOOW
Motorman:
-
80–100m: STCW III/4
-
100m+: STCW III/4
Chef Salary and Leave Packages
Below 30m
30m — 40m
40m — 50m
50m — 60m
60m — 80m
80m — 100m
100m +
Head Chef / Sole Chef
Sous Chef
Third Chef
4 500*— 6 000
Non-rotational
—
—
5 000*—7 500
2:2 or non-rotational
—
—
6 000—9 000
2:2 or non-rotational
4 000*—5 000***
Non-rotational
—
6 500**—9 000
2:2 or non-rotational
4 500*—6 000
Non-rotational
—
7 000—9 000
2:2 rotation or non-rotational
5 000*—6 000
2:2 or non-rotational
—
9 000+
2:2 or non-rotational
6 000+
2:2 or non-rotational
4 500—5 500
2:2 rotation
10 000+
2:2 rotation
6 000+
2:2 rotation
4 500—5 500
2:2 rotation
Salary (€)
Leave
Salary (€)
Leave
Salary (€)
Leave
* New to yachting
** Rotation
*** Combined Cook/Stew or Cook/Deck
Yachts continue to offer rotation, at all levels in the galley, in order to secure the best candidate on the market and promote longevity
Interior Department: Purser and Stew Salary and Leave Packages
Below 30m
30m — 40m
40m — 50m
50m — 60m
60m — 80m
80m — 100m
100m +
Purser
Chief Stew
Head of Service
Head of Housekeeping
2nd Stew
Experienced Stew
(1–3 years)
Junior Stew
(1 year ≈)
—
—
—
—
—
3 500*—4 000
60 days +
3 000—3 500
60 days +
—
4 000—6 500
60 days
—
—
—
3 000—4 000
60 days +
3 000—3 500
60 days+
—
4 500—7 000
60 days +
—
—
3 500—5 000
60 days +
3 000—4 500
60 days +
3 000—3 500
60 days +
—
5 500—7 500
90 days+
—
—
4 500—5 500
60 days+
3 300—4 500
60 days +
3 000—3 500
60 days +
7 000—8 500
Equal rotation
7 000—8 500
90 days+ or equal rotation
4 500—6 000
90 days+ or equal rotation
4 500—6 000
90 days+ or equal rotation
4 500—6 000
90 days+ or equal rotation
3 300—4 500
60 days +
3 000—3 500
60 days +
8 000—10 000
Equal rotation
7 500—10 000
Equal rotation
5 500—6 500
Equal rotation
5 500—6 500
Equal rotation
5 500—6 500
Equal rotation
3 300—4 500
90 days +
3 000—3 500
90 days +
8 500+
Equal rotation
8 500+
Equal rotation
6 000+
Equal rotation
6 000+
Equal rotation
6 000+
Equal rotation
3 300—4 500
90 days +
3 000—3 500
90 days +
Salary (€)
Leave
Salary (€)
Leave
Salary (€)
Leave
Salary (€)
Leave
Salary (€)
Leave
Salary (€)
Leave
Salary (€)
Leave
*Experienced stews on smaller-sized vessels tend to work alone as a Sole Stew, which would explain the higher starting salary.
Interior Department: Specialist Positions Salary and Leave Packages
Below 30m
30m — 40m
40m — 50m
50m — 60m
60m — 80m
80m — 100m
100m +
Spa Manager
(with yachting exp.)
Spa Therapist
(with adv. training)
Masseuse / Beautician
(with basic training)
Nurse
Personal Trainer
(Yoga / Pilates)
Laundry Master
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
4 000—5 000
60 days +
3 500—4 500
60 days +
4 000—4 500
60 days +
3 500—4 500
60 days +
—
—
4 000—5 000
60 days +
3 500—4 500
60 days +
4 000—5 000
60 days +
3 500—4 500
60 days +
—
—
4 000—5 000
90 days +
3 500—4 500
90 days +
4 000—5 000
90 days +
3 500—4 500
90 days +
3 500—4 500
60 days +
4 500+
Equal rotation
4 000—5 500
90 days +
3 500—4 500
90 days +
4 000—5 000
90 days + or equal rotation
3 500—4 500
90 days +
3 500—4 500
90 days +
4 500+
Equal rotation
4 000—5 000
90 days +
3 500—4 500
90 days +
4 000—5 000
Equal rotation
3 500—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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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.
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