Yacht Jobs in Fort Lauderdale

Explore all the open yacht roles in Fort Lauderdale across all ranks and departments on one single platform - Meridian. Fort Lauderdale is gaining rapid popularity for yachting, making it a key recruitment post where 100s of yacht owners and management companies actively look for qualified yachting crew season after season.

Fort Lauderdale is close to some important sailing routes, which means there's a high demand for experienced professionals, including Bosuns, Stewardesses, Engineers, and alike. Meridian's digital-first platform makes it easier for both recruiters and job seekers to find their next crew or employer. Easily navigate current vacancies, apply in under two minutes using One-Click Apply, and connect directly with top recruiters on a single platform.

Mate / Sole Steward(ess) T
Job Filled

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  • LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
  • SalaryDOE
  • Vessel Length80' to 110' (25 to 33 meters)
  • Vessel FlagUnited States of America

Sole Steward(ess) / Mate T
Job Filled

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  • LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
  • SalaryDOE
  • Vessel Length111' to 144' (34 to 44 meters)
  • Vessel FlagUnited States of America

Chief Steward(ess)
Job Filled

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  • LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
  • SalaryDepends on Experience
  • Vessel Length145' to 175' (45 to 53 meters)
  • Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)

Chief 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)
  • LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
  • SalaryDepends on Experience
  • Vessel Length111' to 144' (34 to 44 meters)
  • Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)

Mate
- 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
- 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
  • LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
  • Salary$9,000
  • Vessel Length111' to 144' (34 to 44 meters)
  • Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)
  • LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
  • Salary$10,000 to $12,000
  • Vessel Length80' to 110' (25 to 33 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

Why Work in Fort Lauderdale?

Fort Lauderdale is one of the most famous yachting capitals of the world. It's a title earned by its sheer volume of registered yachts, world-class refit facilities, and its role as the launching point for the entire charter circuit.

  • Fort Lauderdale hosts some of the most important networking events. Captains finalise their season crews during these events, making it one of the finest destinations to kickstart your yachting career.
  • Getting aboard in Fort Lauderdale means access to the most lucrative tip-earning charter circuit in the world.
  • Year-round refit demand at the Fort Lauderdale's ports and surrounding boatyards keeps engineers and technical crew employed, even outside the charter season.
  • Fort Lauderdale charter guests are among the highest tippers globally. A strong season in Fort Lauderdale waters can earn you tip income that's more than several months of base salary.
  • Fort Lauderdale-airport connectivity offers direct flights across countries, perfect for crew on rotational contracts heading home between stints.

Yacht Job Salaries in Fort Lauderdale

Salaries for yacht crew in Fort Lauderdale are shaped by vessel size, department, and contract type. The following ranges reflect current industry benchmarks:

  • Deckhands and Junior Stewards/Stewardesses: €2,500 – €3,500 per month
  • Bosuns and Senior Interior Crew: €3,500 – €5,500 per month
  • Chefs and Head Cooks: €3,500 – €9,000 per month
  • Engineers (Y4 to Y1 / AEC to senior): €4,000 – €12,000+ per month
  • Captains: Variable, based on vessel size and owner requirements

Charter gratuities in Fort Lauderdale represent a substantial income addition for crew on commercial vessels, often equivalent to 10–20% of the charter fee per trip. Permanent positions on private yachts in Fort Lauderdale typically carry higher base salaries without tips. Benefits across both contract types generally include accommodation, all meals on board, travel to and from the vessel, and medical insurance, meaning your cost of living is largely covered outside of personal expenses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Registering on a marine recruitment portal such as Meridian is the most efficient way to find yacht jobs in Fort Lauderdale. Make a profile, attach your CV, and apply straight to verified job posted by yacht managers and captains in Fort Lauderdale. Additionally, you might visit the nearby marinas and enquire about day jobs, which typically turn into full-time jobs when you have showcased your skills on board.

Before any Yatching company in Fort Lauderdale will check your application, you must have at the very least STCW Basic Safety Training and a current ENG1 medical certificate. The industry as a whole needs these two documents. They may ask you to present additional qualifications, depending on the role. For example, engineers need applicable MCA or flag-state tickets, deckhands usually are required to have a Powerboat Level 2 license, and chefs may need to showcase their culinary skills. Captains and Chief Mates are examples of senior officers who need to possess the proper STCW officer-of-the-watch or master certificates.

One of the key characteristics of the Fort Lauderdale yacht job market is seasonal employment. The weeks leading up to the start of the charter season are the most competitive and active time for job seekers. The reason behind it is the vessels that utilise Fort Lauderdale as a home port or seasonal base usually hire crew during this time. All departments, including deck, interior, galley, and engineering, come with seasonal contracts, which can work as a trial run before a permanent offer is made. During a busy season, charter tips can significantly increase your overall income over your normal monthly compensation.

Salaries for yacht jobs in Fort Lauderdale show the demand for qualified yachting professionals and the nature of the industry here.

  • Entry-level crew on the deck and interior make between €2,500 and €3,200 per month.
  • While chief officers and experienced crew members like engineers, chefs, and senior officers make comparatively more.

However, it's important to keep some factors in mind, such as most yacht contacts in Fort Lauderdale cover accommodation, meals, travel expenses, and health insurance, which are great additions beyond head salary.

Applying for yacht jobs in Fort Lauderdale is as easy as ordering food with Meridian. Register for free, submit your CV, and fill out your crew profile with your availability, work experience, and certificates. You can apply to several relevant jobs in Fort Lauderdale with the platform's One-Click Apply feature, saving you time and effort. Notifications of new listings that meet your criteria will also be sent to you via email or SMS. Through Meridian's secure messaging platform, you may coordinate and interact directly with a captain or hiring manager who has reviewed your profile and shown interest.

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.

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