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.

Chief Engineer / Deckhand T
- Full-Time
Job Filled

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  • LocationMiami, FL, USA
  • Salary10000
  • Vessel Length111' to 144' (34 to 44 meters)
  • Vessel FlagSaint Vincent and the Grenadines

Chief Steward(ess)
- Full-Time
Job Filled

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  • LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
  • SalaryDepends on Experience
  • Vessel Length145' to 175' (45 to 53 meters)
  • Vessel FlagMarshall Islands

Fishing Captain
- Freelance
Job Filled

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  • LocationDania Beach, FL, USA
  • SalaryDepends on Experience
  • Vessel Length145' to 175' (45 to 53 meters)
  • Vessel FlagUnited States of America

Deckhand
- Freelance
Job Filled

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  • LocationFt Lauderdale, FL, USA
  • SalaryDepends on Experience
  • Vessel Length145' to 175' (45 to 53 meters)
  • Vessel FlagUnited States of America

2nd Steward(ess)
- Full-Time
Job Filled

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  • LocationDania Beach, FL, USA
  • SalaryDepends on Experience
  • Vessel Length145' to 175' (45 to 53 meters)
  • Vessel FlagUnited States of America

Deckhand
- Temporary
Job Filled

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  • LocationPalm Beach, FL, USA
  • SalaryDepends on Experience
  • Vessel Length211' to 275' (65 to 84 meters)
  • Vessel FlagCayman Islands

Mate / Sole Steward(ess) T
Job Filled

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  • LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
  • SalaryDOE
  • Vessel Length80' to 110' (25 to 33 meters)
  • Vessel FlagUnited States of America

Sole Steward(ess) / Mate T
Job Filled

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  • LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
  • SalaryDOE
  • Vessel Length111' to 144' (34 to 44 meters)
  • Vessel FlagUnited States of America

Chief Steward(ess)
Job Filled

VIEW
  • LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
  • SalaryDepends on Experience
  • Vessel Length145' to 175' (45 to 53 meters)
  • Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)

Chief Engineer
Job Filled

VIEW
  • LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
  • Salary$9,000
  • Vessel Length111' to 144' (34 to 44 meters)
  • Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)

Why Work in Florida?

For crew looking to build their experience without relocating to somewhere far, Florida offers a solid and often overlooked alternative. Vessel traffic through the state supports a steady job market across deck, interior, and engineering roles.

  • The marinas here serve yachts ranging from 24 meters to well over 100 meters. This means that there won't be any shortage of opportunities. Also, the range of work will vary, spanning everything from day work on smaller boats to permanent contracts on major vessels.
  • Florida is a very walkable city, which means you can hit every important marina within days.
  • For engineers and technical crew, especially, Florida offers regular employment linked to maintenance cycles, which run year-round regardless of the charter season.
  • If you like sailing over motor, Florida is one of the world's most popular destinations for high-performance racing and classic sailing yachts.

Yacht Job Salaries in Florida

A popular hub for expedition yachts and water adventures, Florida-based roles often pay 10- 15% above the national average. With the rising demand for skilled and technically sound crew members, the pay for yacht positions in Florida is competitive. However, Florida is undisputedly one of the top locations for engineering and technical maritime roles. Typical monthly salary benchmarks in Florida look like this:

  • Deckhand (entry): $2,800 – $4,000
  • Steward/Stewardess: $2,500 – $4,500
  • Head Chef: $5,000 – $9,000+
  • Chief Mate / Chief Engineer: $6,500 – $11,000
  • Captain: $10,000 – $22,000+

Permanent roles in Florida obviously offer more stability than seasonal contracts. While tips are rare in permanent jobs, you get a better work-life balance. In fact, in some cases, many permanent owners pay you for time-for-time training, e.g., they may pay for your next Coast Guard training program in return for a commitment to stay. On the other hand, seasonal roles in Florida come with high turnover but are better for those who are just starting out. The benefits are minimal compared to those of permanent roles and usually only cover food.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most reliable way is to join a dedicated yachting job board like Meridian, where employers in Florida post openings regularly. Additionally, you can try staying in dedicated yacht crew houses. Here, you benefit in twofold ways - 1. You build connections and learn from others experiences, and 2. You'll hear about job openings from other crew members. Besides, walking directly to the dock and offering daywork services is a great approach to getting a position on the yacht.

Cities with active charter markets or refit facilities in Florida tend to generate the most consistent crew demand. These locations also attract recruitment agencies, including private owners, which opens up even more channels for finding work.

Qualifications vary by position and vessel size. For yachts over 500GT, you'll need higher-level maritime certificates. For private, non-commercial yachts, requirements are often more flexible.

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.

Salaries across yachting roles in Florida reflect the US market rate. Captain and chief engineer positions on super yachts can command six-figure annual salaries. Newer crews usually start lower but grow quickly as they gain hours and certifications.

Crew demand is usually highest at chartering ports and refit facilities in Florida. Since these locations are busy throughout the year, it makes sense to keep a lookout for job opportunities there all year long.

Even before you start looking for jobs to apply to, prepare these three documents: your yachting crew CV, Basic Training Certificate, and relevant medical certificate, an ENG1. Once you have these, sign up on Meridian for free by uploading your CV. Our system will instantly create a digital profile for you based on the details mentioned in your CV. That's it. As soon as your profile is live, Meridian will start sending you the latest job alerts matching your role and requirements. You click on those notifications, read the JD, answer a few screening questions, and apply for as many jobs as you want in minutes.

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

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