Employer Registration
- LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length111' to 144' (34 to 44 meters)
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
Yacht Jobs in Florida
Build your maritime career with top super yacht jobs in Florida.
From private yacht placement to luxury charter employment opportunities,Florida has to offer a strong foundation for both beginners and experienced crews. An established marina and consistent vessel traffic across seasons are what set Florida apart from other yachting regions in the world. Thus, it's a market that rewards those who know where to look and how to show up.
Meridian puts you directly in front of hiring captains, yacht owners, and recruiters. Join Meridian for free to join and let your next role find you in just a few clicks.
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Deckhand
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Full-Time
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- LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length111' to 144' (34 to 44 meters)
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
Captain
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Temporary
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- LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- Salary$6000 +
- Vessel Length0' to 79' (0 to 24 meters)
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
Captain
/ Deck/Steward(ess)
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Full-Time
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- LocationSouth Miami, FL, USA
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length80' to 110' (25 to 33 meters)
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
2nd Officer
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Full-Time
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- LocationMiami, FL, USA
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length176' to 210' (54 to 64 meters)
- Vessel FlagCayman Islands
First Officer/Chief Mate
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Full-Time
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- LocationWest Palm Beach, FL, USA
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length145' to 175' (45 to 53 meters)
- Vessel FlagJamaica
Steward(ess)
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Full-Time
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- LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- Salarystarting at $6,000
- Vessel Length80' to 110' (25 to 33 meters)
- Vessel FlagJamaica
3rd Engineer
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- LocationMiami, FL, USA
- Salary5000
- Vessel Length70m
- Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)
Sous Chef
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- LocationMiami, FL, USA
- Salary4900
- Vessel Length70
- Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)
Laundry Master(ess)
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Full-Time
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- LocationGolden Beach, FL, USA
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel LengthNot Entered
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
Why Work in Florida?
Florida draws vessels for several reasons. Favorable weather windows, quality marina services, and its position along key yachting routes are some of the examples. For the crew, that translates into a market with both seasonal bursts and steady background demand.
- The region supports a range of vessel types, from luxury charter yachts to explorer-style boats and privately owned superyachts. Each vessel type creates different crew needs, so the diversity of work here is genuinely broad.
- Hiring in Florida mirrors the broader US yachting migration: fall preparation, spring season startup, and summer activity. Targeting your availability to these windows improves your chances significantly.
- Interior crew (stewards, chefs, and hospitality professionals) find particularly strong demand in Florida during the charter season, when owners expect a high standard of onboard service.
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
Timing and presence are everything for finding yachting jobs in Florida. Create your profile on online job boards, consistently look on social media platforms, and if possible, physically visit docks with your CV and relevant documents. Learn about the peak hiring windows in Florida and make sure your Meridian profile is complete and visible well before those periods. Employers search the database, too, so they may come to you rather than you searching for them.
Rather than targeting one city, consider the routes vessels take through Florida. Ports along those paths, where yachts refuel, restock, or switch crew, are often the hottest spots for job opportunities.
The baseline for almost any crewed yacht position is STCW Basic Safety Training. Beyond that, experience and role-specific certifications matter. Chef, engineer, and officer roles where technical skill is non-negotiable are some examples.
Yes, seasonal recruitment can lead to permanent employment. Many crew members begin with a season-long contract, showcasing their worth, and then receive an offer to work full-time. To find those seasonal positions as they become available, use Meridian's job alerts.
Base pay for entry yachting roles in Florida begin around $2,500-$4,000/month. Higher ranks and more senior positions can earn you a range of $30,000 to $70,000 a year, which may rise with experience and certifications. What's worth noting is that most yachting job contracts cover accommodation, food, travel, and health insurance for crew members. Additionally, your job may come with bonuses and tips depending on whether it's a privately owned yacht or a commercial boat. All these additions can make your average pay more than it may look on paper.
Areas with deep-water marinas, well-established refit yards, and close proximity to well-liked charter routes are usually the busiest for yachting in Florida. These are the places where ships gather and where you can find tons of crew opportunities.
Applying for yacht crew roles is easiest with Meridian. Go to Meridian, set up your profile in under two minutes, and search for open roles in Florida. You can apply immediately through our One-Click Apply feature and set up alerts so you're notified about new postings before other candidates.
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
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3One Click Apply
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