Employer Registration
- LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- Salary14,000 to 16,000
- Vessel Length111' to 144' (34 to 44 meters)
- Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)
Yacht Jobs in Florida
Searching for a yacht captain or stewardess role in Florida? Meridian makes it easy to access verified yacht jobs across various ranks and departments.
From seasonal charter runs to permanent billets on long-range vessels, Florida sees consistent crew movement throughout the year. Moreover, key marinas keep vessels close, and recruiters, including private yacht owners, actively use our platform to source qualified candidates.
Meridian is the yachting industry's leading digital job board with 45,000+ active crew, hundreds of agencies, and a platform designed to get you hired without the red tape. Join the platform today and start getting the latest job alerts that match your requirements.
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Deckhand
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Full-Time
Job Filled
VIEW
- LocationNorth Palm Beach, FL, USA
- Salary45k to 60k
- Vessel Length111' to 144' (34 to 44 meters)
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
Deckhand
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Full-Time
Job Filled
VIEW
- LocationNorth Palm Beach, FL, USA
- Salary$5000.00
- Vessel Length111' to 144' (34 to 44 meters)
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
Junior Steward(ess)
Job Filled
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- LocationWest Palm Beach, FL, USA
- SalaryDOE
- Vessel Length145' to 175' (45 to 53 meters)
- Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)
Steward(ess)
Job Filled
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- LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- Salary$6,000 to $7,000
- Vessel Length80' to 110' (25 to 33 meters)
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
Deckhand
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Seasonal
Job Filled
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- LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length80' to 110' (25 to 33 meters)
- Vessel FlagJamaica
Chef
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Freelance
Job Filled
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- LocationWest Palm Beach, FL, USA
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length80' to 110' (25 to 33 meters)
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
Chief Engineer
Job Filled
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- LocationWest Palm Beach, FL, USA
- Salary8500
- Vessel Length176' to 210' (54 to 64 meters)
- Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)
Sole Steward(ess)
Job Filled
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- LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- Salary$5,500 to $6,000
- Vessel Length111' to 144' (34 to 44 meters)
- Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)
First Officer/Chief Mate
Job Filled
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- LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- Salary$6,000-$6,500
- Vessel Length111' to 144' (34 to 44 meters)
- Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)
Why Work in Florida?
Florida is one of the home bases for the global yachting industry. In fact, if you're really serious about building a career in yachting, you may spend 70% of your working tenure in Florida. A favorite of both private and charter vessels, Florida has immaculate marina infrastructure and coastline, providing a consistent demand for qualified crew throughout the year.
- With full superyacht services, including fuel, provisioning, and technical support, Florida offers a number of top crew agencies, training schools, and major marinas nearby.
- Charter activity in Florida usually peaks during predictable seasons, giving crew a clear window to target for applications. Besides, it hosts some of the world's most popular refit yards. This means there are always daywork options available for those who are new to the industry as well as those who are looking for opportunities to earn while job hunting.
- With rising demands for both entry-level and experienced crew, Florida is a significant option whether you're just starting out or want to upgrade to a more senior position.
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
Online job boards like Meridian and social media platforms are arguably the most active places where you can look for day work and last-minute yacht job openings. However, using both the online and offline modes for searching jobs is the best way. Visit ports and ask for jobs in person, build connections with yacht crew members, and offer day work services if you're new.
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.
In yachting, seasonal positions are among the most accessible. Keep an eye on the months before peak season for Florida, as this is when job postings are most prevalent, and captains are most open to new crew.
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.
Your best options for employment are marinas in Florida with large vessel flow. Seek out yachting companies that provide complete superyacht services, such as docking, fuel, and provisioning, as these draw the greatest number of passengers and crew members.
In Florida, the primary way that you can find and apply for yacht jobs is through job boards. Create a free account online on Meridian, a yacht recruitment platform with hundreds of job listings from Florida. Upload your CV and other essential documents, and start applying directly to open positions. Our One Click Apply feature makes it fast, so you can apply to multiple roles 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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