Employer Registration
- LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length111' to 144' (34 to 44 meters)
- Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)
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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Mate
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Full-Time
Job Filled
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- LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length80' to 110' (25 to 33 meters)
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
Mate
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Full-Time
Job Filled
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- LocationWest Palm Beach, FL, USA
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length111' to 144' (34 to 44 meters)
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
Mate
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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
Engineer
Job Filled
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- LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- Salary$9,000
- Vessel Length111' to 144' (34 to 44 meters)
- Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)
Captain
Job Filled
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- LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- Salary$10,000 to $12,000
- Vessel Length80' to 110' (25 to 33 meters)
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
Chef
Job Filled
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- LocationMiami, FL, USA
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length111' to 144' (34 to 44 meters)
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
Chief Stewardess
Job Filled
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- LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length145' to 175' (45 to 53 meters)
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
Captain
Job Filled
VIEW
- LocationMiami, FL, USA
- Salary86,000
- Vessel Length80' to 110' (25 to 33 meters)
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
Chef
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Full-Time
Job Filled
VIEW
- LocationWest Palm Beach, FL, USA
- Salary8,500+
- Vessel Length80' to 110' (25 to 33 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
For Florida specifically, combining online job search methods with networking at local marinas can significantly boost your chances of finding yacht jobs. You must sign up at the leading job boards designed for yacht crew hiring, like Meridian. Moreover, spending time near ports and walking on docks can help you land your desired yachting position quickly.
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.
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.
Yes, a lot of yacht jobs in Florida are seasonal and depend on the charter calendar or patterns of vessel migration. A few weeks before the season's start, when captains actively hire crew members, and it this is the ideal time to apply.
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.
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.
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
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
Apply through our job alert emails or directly from our website.
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