Employer Registration
- LocationSt. Petersburg, FL, USA
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length211' to 275' (65 to 84 meters)
- Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)
Yacht Jobs in Florida
Yacht jobs in Florida are more in demand than ever, and Meridian can connect you to them.
Florida has been rapidly growing into a key yachting destination among private as well as commercial yacht companies. With active ports and marinas drawing vessels year-round, this region offers consistent demand for skilled yacht crew. From deck and engine to interior, the demand for qualified superyacht crew in Florida reflects the growing pace of the industry here.
Through Meridian, you get free access to a live job board with 2,100+ listings annually. Create your profile in under two minutes and start applying today.
Chef
VIEW
- LocationWest Palm Beach, FL, USA
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length111' to 144' (34 to 44 meters)
- Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)
Deckhand
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Full-Time
VIEW
- LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length111' to 144' (34 to 44 meters)
- Vessel FlagMarshall Islands
Chief Steward(ess)
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Full-Time
VIEW
- LocationPalm Beach, FL, USA
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length145' to 175' (45 to 53 meters)
- Vessel FlagJamaica
Deckhand
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- LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length111' to 144' (34 to 44 meters)
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
Deck/Steward(ess)
VIEW
- LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length111' to 144' (34 to 44 meters)
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
Chief Engineer
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- LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length111' to 144' (34 to 44 meters)
- Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)
Engineer
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Full-Time
VIEW
- LocationFt Lauderdale, FL, USA
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length111' to 144' (34 to 44 meters)
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
Bosun
VIEW
- LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- Salary6000
- Vessel Length145' to 175' (45 to 53 meters)
- Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)
Steward(ess)
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Rotational
VIEW
- LocationNorth Palm Beach, FL, USA
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length145' to 175' (45 to 53 meters)
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
Why Work in Florida?
The yachting economy in Florida is tied closely to seasonal vessel movement and charter activity. Understanding that rhythm — when boats arrive, when they leave, and when captains hire — makes your job search significantly more effective.
- Key marinas in Florida offer the infrastructure that attracts high-end vessels. Where the infrastructure is strong, crew demand follows — especially for deckhands, stewards, and engineers who can hit the ground running.
- Charter seasons in Florida represent the biggest spike in hiring, but the market doesn't fully quiet down outside those months. Refit work, private owners, and delivery crews create year-round pockets of demand.
- If you're targeting Florida, being visible on platforms like Meridian well before the peak season starts is the smartest move. Most captains hire ahead of time — waiting until the season begins often means missing out.
Yacht Job Salaries in Florida
Yacht crew salaries in Florida are highly dependent on the size of the vessel, role, and the purpose of the yacht. On a quick analysis of the industry trends from 2024 to 2026, there's a steady 8-10% hike in salaries due to the increasing demand for specialized skills.
National Average:
| Yacht Crew Average Annual Salary Chart (USD) | |||
| Position | Small Yacht (<100ft) | Mid-Size Yacht (100–160ft) | Superyacht (160ft+) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Captain | $85,000 – $130,000 | $135,000 – $210,000 | $220,000 – $440,000+ |
| Chief Engineer | $75,000 – $100,000 | $110,000 – $150,000 | $160,000 – $200,000+ |
| Chef (Head/Sole) | $65,000 – $85,000 | $90,000 – $120,000 | $130,000 – $160,000+ |
| Chief Stewardess | $60,000 – $75,000 | $80,000 – $105,000 | $110,000 – $140,000 |
| First Officer/Mate | $60,000 – $80,000 | $85,000 – $110,000 | $115,000 – $145,000 |
| Bosun/Lead Deck | $50,000 – $60,000 | $65,000 – $75,000 | $80,000 – $95,000 |
| Stewardess (Junior) | $38,000 – $48,000 | $45,000 – $55,000 | $55,000 – $70,000 |
| Deckhand (Junior) | $36,000 – $45,000 | $42,000 – $52,000 | $55,000 – $68,000 |
Seasonal vs. Permanent Roles
- Temporary crew or freelancers get a higher daily rate (daywork) in return for the lack of long-term security. Meanwhile, permanent roles make a steady monthly income with regular raises, often at a rate of 5 to 10%.
- Temporary crew members also often earn through tips. Charter vessels provide higher tips. On average, each crew member can make from $1000 to #3000+ in tips above their base salary. Whereas permanent positions can earn you additional benefits in the form of health insurance, annual flight allowances to home port, and paid leave, etc.
- If you're looking forward to building your CV or those who want to travel without a yearly commitment, working as a yacht crew in {state} is a great way to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Finding a yacht job in Florida requires a strong presence both online and offline. Start by registering yourself with recruitment agencies or, even better, platforms like Meridian. Here, you can browse all active openings in Florida, filter by role and vessel type, and apply directly. Build networks through dock walking. Walk to the docks (where permitted) and ask captains for day work. Even though yachting recruitment has moved mainly to the online sphere, showing up physically is still the best way if you are new to the industry.
The busiest yachting cities in Florida are usually coastal or waterfront locations with significant infrastructure for large vessels. To get job alerts from specific cities Florida, try searching on Meridian filtered by location. Besides, a general search on Meridian will show you exactly where demand is highest right now.
For most entry-level deck roles, a valid STCW Basic Safety Training certificate is the minimum requirement. For more senior positions — mate, captain, chief engineer — you'll need appropriate USCG or MCA certification.
Seasonal employment is usual and a great way to get started in the yachting niche. Vessel activity in Florida peaks in certain months, and many owners hire temporary crew to fill positions ranging from interior staff to deckhands during those times.
In Florida, yacht crew salaries are competitive, depending on the size of the vessel and the city you're working in. Entry-level positions and stewards can expect to earn between $2,500 and $3,500 per month. Meanwhile, the average salary of a yacht crew can range from $30,000 to $44,261 a year. If you want to know the specific range or salary trend for your desired role, try searching for that particular role on Meridian. Meridian sees hundreds of yacht job listings from Florida daily. The search result will give you a clear understanding of what the average annual income and the benefits you can enjoy are for the role you want to apply for.
The most reliable hiring in Florida is driven by busy boatyards and marinas exclusive for private and non-industrial yachts. You are in the right place at the right time if you know which facilities handle the biggest vessels and when they are busiest.
Walking the public docks and asking for day work on yachts alone won't work for you in 2026. Upgrade your search capacity by signing up for the leading yacht crew recruitment websites, like Meridian. It's free to join and lets you apply to unlimited jobs, including all active postings in Florida. Besides, it's so simple to create and update a profile on Meridian. You just need to upload your CV, and the platform automatically prepares a digital profile for you. Once your profile is live, you'll start getting the notifications for the latest yacht job posts, and can apply instantly within a few clicks.
Why Use Meridian for Your Yacht Career?
Meridian has helped thousands of yacht owners, management companies, and recruiters find exceptional captains and crew for amazing yacht vacancies since Crew4Yachts was founded in 2006, continuing after its acquisition in 2020.
Beyond this, here are other reasons why you should use Meridian to jump-start your yacht career:
- Fast hiring cycle: It takes less than 2 minutes to upload your CV so that hiring yacht owners, captains, and recruiters can search our platform to find, contact, shortlist, and hire you.
- Trusted by captains and recruiters globally: We have been in the game since 2006, constantly connecting owners and recruiters with competent captains.
- Easy-to-use yacht crew database: Our platform is user-friendly, making it the best choice for owners, captains, and recruiters.
- Meridian grows with you: Today, you may be looking for work; tomorrow, you may be looking for crew. Within your account, you can easily switch from crew to employer.
Posting job vacancies or searching our platform for experienced crew takes just a few minutes.
How Our Platform Works
Join for free in under two minutes. Instantly get discovered by hundreds of employers hiring yacht crew, receive job alerts tailored to you, and apply for opportunities around the world.
1Join for Free
Upload your CV to create your account. If you'd like, you can also add qualifications and references.
2Be Found
Employers can find and contact you directly using keyword search, just like Google.
3One Click Apply
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