Employer Registration
- LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- Salary8000
- Vessel Length0' to 79' (0 to 24 meters)
- Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)
Yacht Jobs in Florida
Are you an experienced captain or a Bosun looking for yacht jobs in Florida? You're in the right place. Florida is unarguably the yachting capital of the global market. Sitting at an exciting crossroads of maritime activity, it has bustling marinas, an active charter scene all year round, and a growing demand for skilled crew. Whether you're chasing your entry-level position in the yachting industry or moving into a senior position,Florida has several opportunities worth exploring.
Meridian connects superyacht professionals like you to the world's most premium crew recruiters through our simple platform. Create your profile today, start applying, and get started with your yachting career.
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Deckhand
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Full-Time
Job Filled
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- LocationPalm Beach, FL, USA
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length211' to 275' (65 to 84 meters)
- Vessel FlagCayman Islands
Third Stewardess
Job Filled
VIEW
- LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- Salary$3,500
- Vessel Length145' to 175' (45 to 53 meters)
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
Mate
Job Filled
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- LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length111' to 144' (34 to 44 meters)
- Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)
Chef
Job Filled
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- LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- Salary7000
- Vessel Length111' to 144' (34 to 44 meters)
- Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)
Deckhand
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Full-Time
Job Filled
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- LocationWest Palm Beach, FL, USA
- Salary6500
- Vessel Length80' to 110' (25 to 33 meters)
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
Captain
Job Filled
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- LocationMiami, FL, USA
- Salary$8,000
- Vessel Length0' to 79' (0 to 24 meters)
- Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)
Mate
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Contract
Job Filled
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- LocationWest Palm Beach, FL, USA
- Salary6500 DOE
- Vessel Length80' to 110' (25 to 33 meters)
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
Shore-Based Position
Job Filled
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- LocationDelray Beach, FL, USA
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length0' to 79' (0 to 24 meters)
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
2nd Steward(ess)
Job Filled
VIEW
- LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- Salary4500
- Vessel Length145' to 175' (45 to 53 meters)
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
Why Work in Florida?
Working in Florida places you in a market that strikes a balance between year-round activity and seasonal opportunities. Since the state's marinas are important stops for ships travelling longer US coastal routes, crew demand doesn't completely go away with the seasons.
- A diverse recruiting environment is present due to the combination of private yachts, charter companies, and refit facilities in Florida. The range of vessels available accommodates both short-term contracts and long-term billets.
- The high-demand windows in Florida are defined by charter seasons, but wise employees explore beyond those peaks. For those who pay attention, maintenance seasons, delivery routes, and private owner schedules produce a more constant stream of opportunities.
- If you're looking to pursue a long-term career in yachting, Florida is a decent option because it's not as crowded as large hubs like Fort Lauderdale while still being busy enough to get employment on a regular basis.
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.
In Florida, the most active hiring usually happens around major marina hubs. Lined with crew agencies, training schools, and chandleries, it's the heart of the local industry. The Florida is close to some of the most popular coastal destinations used for leisure and cruising.
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, there are. Based on weather, charter demand, and vessel migration, seasonal hiring in Florida usually follows a predictable pattern. You have a significant advantage when timing your applications if you understand that cycle.
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.
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.
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
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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