Employer Registration
- LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- Salary10000+
- Vessel Length145' to 175' (45 to 53 meters)
- Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)
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.
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Chief Steward(ess)
Job Filled
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- LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- Salary6500-7000
- Vessel Length145' to 175' (45 to 53 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 FlagForeign (Non-US)
2nd 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)
Chef
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)
2nd Steward(ess)
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Full-Time
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
Chef
Job Filled
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- LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- Salary10000+
- 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
- Salary8500
- Vessel Length145' to 175' (45 to 53 meters)
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
First Officer/Chief Mate
Job Filled
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- LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- Salary9000
- 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 FlagUnited States of America
Why Work in Fort Lauderdale?
If you are thinking about a career move in yachting, Fort Lauderdale offers advantages that even the Mediterranean or the USA cannot match.
- While a yachting career is a high-paying job, working in Fort Lauderdale means you take home a higher average monthly pay than you do elsewhere due to the additional amenities you avail of, like free accommodation, food, and insurance. This gives you a higher saving job than working in European or Mediterranean water, depending on the laws of your home country.
- Working on a yacht in the region during the peak seasons allows you to engage with a high-energy, high-tip, and high-networking circle.
- Everything in Fort Lauderdale is built for luxury. Besides being on the yacht, you can enjoy better shore-side facilities, high-end malls, and luxury resorts during your off time.
- Fort Lauderdale is one of the world's best-connected travel hubs. For crew on rotational contracts (e.g., 2 months on, 2 months off), flying home from the airport is faster and easier than almost anywhere else in the world.
Yacht Job Salaries in Fort Lauderdale
Yacht crew salaries in Fort Lauderdale are among the most competitive in the maritime sector globally, reflecting both the calibre of vessels operating here and the demand for qualified professionals. Key earning benchmarks currently observed in the industry include:
- Junior Crew (all departments): from €2,500 per month, all-in package
- Experienced Deckhands and Interior Crew: €3,000 – €4,500 per month
- Department Heads (Bosun, Chief Stew, Head Chef, Senior Engineer): €4,500 – €9,000 per month
- Officers and Technical Specialists (ETO, Y1/Y2 Engineer, Chief Mate): €7,000 – €12,000+
In Fort Lauderdale, seasonal charter roles generate the highest short-term earning potential when tips are included, while permanent roles on private yachts are attractive for their predictability and full benefits package. The trend toward rotational contracts is reshaping the salary conversation too: crew who work structured rotation arrangements in Fort Lauderdale often negotiate higher base salaries in return for the structured availability commitment. Tax treatment of income may vary depending on the vessel flag and your country of residence, so it is worth seeking professional advice on your specific situation.
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.
Your STCW Basic Safety Training certificate and a current ENG1 medical from an authorised physician are the two essential documents required to be qualified for the great majority of yacht jobs in Fort Lauderdale. Before considering any application, more than 90% of employers will request these two documents. Beyond this, your profile is strengthened with relevant experience and credentials unique to your role. On sites like Meridian, recruiters are more likely to focus on engineering applicants with Y4 or higher MCA tickets, deck officers with OOW qualifications, and chefs with professional culinary credentials.
In Fort Lauderdale, there are plenty of seasonal yacht employment opportunities available, especially before and during the main charter season. These contracts are usually the easiest way to enter the field, with businesses giving preference to those who are already in the city and ready to get started right away. Crew members who do well over a season are sometimes awarded extended or permanent contracts, and the fast-paced nature of seasonal charter work fosters the quick development of abilities. The best way to see open positions is to keep an eye on Meridian throughout the pre-season hiring window.
The size of the vessel, your department, and your role all affect how much you get paid for yacht jobs in Fort Lauderdale. However, the average monthly salary for entry-level deckhands and junior stewards or stewardesses is between €2,500 and €3,500. Chief stewardesses and bosuns make between €3,500 and €5,500 per month, while seasoned engineers with senior tickets might make between €6,000 and €12,000 or more. Usually, chefs aboard upscale private or charter boats make between €4,000 and €9,000. Tips equal to 10-20% of the charter charge on charter ships can significantly raise overall earnings above base pay.
The easiest way to apply for yacht jobs in Fort Lauderdale is to apply through Meridian's platform. Sign up for free, upload your CV in PDF format, and our system will automatically create a digital profile for you. Once your profile is ready, you will start to receive personalized job alerts from your preferred city that match your department and experience level. When you find a position you like, apply easily through Meridian's One-Click Apply feature to submit your application.
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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