Employer Registration
- LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- Salary65000-8000
- Vessel Length111' to 144' (34 to 44 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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Captain
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- LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- Salary1300-15000
- Vessel Length111' to 144' (34 to 44 meters)
- Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)
Deckhand
Job Filled
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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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Full-Time
Job Filled
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- LocationMiami, FL, USA
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length80' to 110' (25 to 33 meters)
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
Chef
Job Filled
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- LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- Salary600-650 per day
- Vessel Length145' to 175' (45 to 53 meters)
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
Cook/Steward(ess)
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
Deck/Steward(ess)
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)
2nd Steward(ess)
Job Filled
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- LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- Salary250-300
- Vessel Length145' to 175' (45 to 53 meters)
- Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)
Captain
Job Filled
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- LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- Salary12000
- Vessel Length80' to 110' (25 to 33 meters)
- Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)
Mate
Job Filled
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- LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- Salary5000
- Vessel Length111' to 144' (34 to 44 meters)
- Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)
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
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
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.
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.
Seasonal employment is usual and a great way to get started in the yachting niche. Vessel activity in Florida peaks in certain months, and many owners hire temporary crew to fill positions ranging from interior staff to deckhands during those times.
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.
Walking the public docks and asking for day work on yachts alone won't work for you in 2026. Upgrade your search capacity by signing up for the leading yacht crew recruitment websites, like Meridian. It's free to join and lets you apply to unlimited jobs, including all active postings in Florida. Besides, it's so simple to create and update a profile on Meridian. You just need to upload your CV, and the platform automatically prepares a digital profile for you. Once your profile is live, you'll start getting the notifications for the latest yacht job posts, and can apply instantly within a few clicks.
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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