Yacht Jobs in Florida

Yacht crew recruitment platforms, including Meridian, see 100s of yacht jobs being listed from Florida daily.

Florida plays a meaningful role in the yachting calendar. Vessels move through here for charters, refits, and delivery runs, which means crew openings come up regularly across roles and skill levels. Timing matters in the yachting industry. So, if you want to grow in your maritime career, join Meridian to receive the latest yacht job alerts.

Create your digital profile by uploading your CV, apply directly, and get notified instantly about your application status. It's free to join and built for passionate yachting crew like you.

  • LocationWest Palm Beach, FL, USA
  • Salary4500
  • Vessel Length45 meters
  • Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)
  • LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
  • Salary6500-8000
  • Vessel Length42 meters
  • Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)

2nd Steward(ess)
Job Filled

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  • LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
  • SalaryDepends on Experience
  • Vessel Length42 meters
  • Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)

First Officer/Chief Mate
Job Filled

VIEW
  • LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
  • Salary9000-9500
  • Vessel Length50 meters
  • Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)

2nd Steward(ess)
Job Filled

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  • LocationPalm Beach, FL, USA
  • Salary5000
  • Vessel Length49 meters
  • Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)

Chief Engineer
Job Filled

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  • LocationWest Palm Beach, FL, USA
  • Salary11,000-12,000
  • Vessel Length49 meters
  • Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)
  • LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
  • Salary8000
  • Vessel Length88 feet
  • Vessel FlagUnited States of America

Steward(ess)
Job Filled

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  • LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
  • SalaryDepends on Experience
  • Vessel Length61 meters
  • Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)

Steward(ess)
Job Filled

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  • LocationWest Palm Beach, FL, USA
  • SalaryDepends on Experience
  • Vessel Length72 meters
  • Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)

Deck/Steward(ess)
- Full-Time
Job Filled

VIEW
  • LocationMiami, FL, USA
  • SalaryDepends on Experience
  • Vessel Length80' to 110' (25 to 33 meters)
  • Vessel FlagBahamas

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

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.

Look for cities with established marinas, boatyards, or charter companies in Florida. The more vessels that pass through an area, the more crew turnover, and therefore, more job opportunities.

Most employers want to see STCW, at minimum, a valid ENG1 or equivalent medical certificate, and a background check clearance. Additional certifications in safety, first aid, and powerboat handling all make your application stronger.

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.

As per current trends, the average annual salary for a yacht crew in Florida is $30,000. When simply calculated, the sum is about $15.00 on an hourly basis. Something that you should keep in mind is that salary and other monetary benefits vary depending on many factors, such as the position, your experience, the number of days you'll work, the size of the vessel, etc. While entry-level deckhands can expect an average of $2,500-$3,500/month, senior roles like chef or chief mate can range from $5,000 to $10,000+, depending on various factors.

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.

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

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