Yacht Jobs in Fort Lauderdale

Looking for verified yacht crew vacancies? Fort Lauderdale is one of the most favourite destinations for the world's premium private and charter yacht owners, making it a steady city that always demands skilled yachting crew across all departments. From entry-level to experienced professionals, the Fort Lauderdale market offers a range of roles at every stage of the career ladder.

Let Meridian connect you directly with employers across Fort Lauderdale actively hiring for various yachting crew positions. Join for free, set your job & city preference, and start receiving job alerts from today.

2nd Engineer
Job Filled

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  • LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
  • Salary6000
  • Vessel Length58 meters
  • Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)
  • LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
  • Salary5000 BOE
  • Vessel Length58 meters
  • Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)

Deck/Engineer
Job Filled

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  • LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
  • Salary5000-7000
  • Vessel Length37 meters
  • Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)
  • LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
  • Salary5500
  • Vessel Length50 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

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  • LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
  • Salary9000-9500
  • Vessel Length50 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)

Deckhand
- Full-Time
Job Filled

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  • LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
  • SalaryDepends on Experience
  • Vessel Length111' to 144' (34 to 44 meters)
  • Vessel FlagJamaica

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

The Fort Lauderdale yacht job market rewards experience and qualifications with competitive compensation. General salary ranges currently seen across the industry in Fort Lauderdale include:

  • Entry-level Deck and Interior: €2,500 – €3,200 per month plus benefits
  • Mid-level positions (Bosun, Chief Stew, Sous Chef): €3,500 – €6,000 per month
  • Senior Engineers and Officers: €6,000 – €12,000+ per month
  • Charter tip income: 10–20% of charter fee, split among crew

Seasonal roles in Fort Lauderdale are well-paid relative to comparable shore-based work, particularly when charter tips are factored in. Permanent positions offer greater income stability and often include long-service bonuses for crew who remain with the same vessel across multiple years. Rotational contracts, which are increasingly common in Fort Lauderdale for senior roles, offer a structured on/off schedule that many experienced crew prefer for its predictability and work-life balance.

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.

The prerequisites for yacht jobs in Fort Lauderdale vary depending on the position, but they always start with an ENG1 medical certificate and STCW Basic Safety Training. While more senior positions require further licensing, entry-level workers in the deck and interior departments can land their first job with just these two. Bosuns benefit from an RYA Yachtmaster Offshore or Efficient Deckhand certificate, junior engineers should strive for at least an AEC (Assistant Engineer Certification), and candidates should have a solid foundation in administrative and financial management.

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.

Meridian is the easiest way to apply for yacht jobs in Fort Lauderdale. Create a profile with your credentials and sea service record, sign up for free, and set up job notifications for the position you want. Meridian promptly alerts you when a position in Fort Lauderdale fits your profile. The process is quick and clear because applications are sent straight to the company. The best dual strategy for getting a job fast for people who are already based in Fort Lauderdale is to combine your Meridian profile with daywork and in-person dock visits.

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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