Employer Registration
- LocationNewport, RI, USA
- Salary10,000
- Vessel Length145' to 175' (45 to 53 meters)
- Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)
Yacht Jobs in Rhode Island
Yacht jobs in Rhode Island are more in demand than ever, and Meridian can connect you to them.
Rhode Island has been rapidly growing into a key yachting destination among private as well as commercial yacht companies. With active ports and marinas drawing vessels year-round, this region offers consistent demand for skilled yacht crew. From deck and engine to interior, the demand for qualified superyacht crew in Rhode Island reflects the growing pace of the industry here.
Through Meridian, you get free access to a live job board with 2,100+ listings annually. Create your profile in under two minutes and start applying today.
First Officer/Chief Mate
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- LocationNewport, RI, USA
- Salary9000-10000
- Vessel Length145' to 175' (45 to 53 meters)
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
Chef
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- LocationNewport, RI, USA
- Salary10000
- Vessel Length145' to 175' (45 to 53 meters)
- Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)
Deckhand
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- LocationNewport, RI, USA
- Salary3500
- Vessel Length111' to 144' (34 to 44 meters)
- Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)
Deckhand
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- LocationNewport, RI, USA
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length111' to 144' (34 to 44 meters)
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
Chef
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- LocationNewport, RI, USA
- Salary$550/day
- Vessel Length42'
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
Sole Steward(ess)
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- LocationNewport, RI, USA
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length37m
- Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)
2nd Steward(ess)
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Full-Time
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- LocationNewport, RI, USA
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length111' to 144' (34 to 44 meters)
- Vessel FlagJamaica
Chef
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Full-Time
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- LocationNewport, RI, USA
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length80' to 110' (25 to 33 meters)
- Vessel FlagMarshall Islands
Captain
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Seasonal
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- LocationNewport, RI, USA
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length0' to 79' (0 to 24 meters)
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
Why Work in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island is one of the home bases for the global yachting industry. In fact, if you're really serious about building a career in yachting, you may spend 70% of your working tenure in Rhode Island. A favorite of both private and charter vessels, Rhode Island has immaculate marina infrastructure and coastline, providing a consistent demand for qualified crew throughout the year.
- With full superyacht services, including fuel, provisioning, and technical support, Rhode Island offers a number of top crew agencies, training schools, and major marinas nearby.
- Charter activity in Rhode Island usually peaks during predictable seasons, giving crew a clear window to target for applications. Besides, it hosts some of the world's most popular refit yards. This means there are always daywork options available for those who are new to the industry as well as those who are looking for opportunities to earn while job hunting.
- With rising demands for both entry-level and experienced crew, Rhode Island is a significant option whether you're just starting out or want to upgrade to a more senior position.
Yacht Job Salaries in Rhode Island
Yacht crew salaries in Rhode Island are highly dependent on the size of the vessel, role, and the purpose of the yacht. On a quick analysis of the industry trends from 2024 to 2026, there's a steady 8-10% hike in salaries due to the increasing demand for specialized skills.
National Average:
| Yacht Crew Average Annual Salary Chart (USD) | |||
| Position | Small Yacht (<100ft) | Mid-Size Yacht (100–160ft) | Superyacht (160ft+) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Captain | $85,000 – $130,000 | $135,000 – $210,000 | $220,000 – $440,000+ |
| Chief Engineer | $75,000 – $100,000 | $110,000 – $150,000 | $160,000 – $200,000+ |
| Chef (Head/Sole) | $65,000 – $85,000 | $90,000 – $120,000 | $130,000 – $160,000+ |
| Chief Stewardess | $60,000 – $75,000 | $80,000 – $105,000 | $110,000 – $140,000 |
| First Officer/Mate | $60,000 – $80,000 | $85,000 – $110,000 | $115,000 – $145,000 |
| Bosun/Lead Deck | $50,000 – $60,000 | $65,000 – $75,000 | $80,000 – $95,000 |
| Stewardess (Junior) | $38,000 – $48,000 | $45,000 – $55,000 | $55,000 – $70,000 |
| Deckhand (Junior) | $36,000 – $45,000 | $42,000 – $52,000 | $55,000 – $68,000 |
Seasonal vs. Permanent Roles
- Temporary crew or freelancers get a higher daily rate (daywork) in return for the lack of long-term security. Meanwhile, permanent roles make a steady monthly income with regular raises, often at a rate of 5 to 10%.
- Temporary crew members also often earn through tips. Charter vessels provide higher tips. On average, each crew member can make from $1000 to #3000+ in tips above their base salary. Whereas permanent positions can earn you additional benefits in the form of health insurance, annual flight allowances to home port, and paid leave, etc.
- If you're looking forward to building your CV or those who want to travel without a yearly commitment, working as a yacht crew in {state} is a great way to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most reliable way is to join a dedicated yachting job board like Meridian, where employers in Rhode Island post openings regularly. Additionally, you can try staying in dedicated yacht crew houses. Here, you benefit in twofold ways - 1. You build connections and learn from others experiences, and 2. You'll hear about job openings from other crew members. Besides, walking directly to the dock and offering daywork services is a great approach to getting a position on the yacht.
Cities with active charter markets or refit facilities in Rhode Island tend to generate the most consistent crew demand. These locations also attract recruitment agencies, including private owners, which opens up even more channels for finding work.
It depends on the role. Deck crew typically need STCW. Interior crew (stewards/stewardesses) benefit from STCW plus food safety and service training. Engineers need formal marine engineering qualifications. Some positions will also ask for specific vessel endorsements.
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 Rhode Island 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.
Areas with deep-water marinas, well-established refit yards, and close proximity to well-liked charter routes are usually the busiest for yachting in Rhode Island. These are the places where ships gather and where you can find tons of crew opportunities.
The process is simple: join Meridian, upload your CV. Our system will automatically create your profile. Once it's live, you can browse through the roles and positions in Rhode Island and apply with one click to any yacht job. Meridian puts your profile right in front of captains, private yacht owners, head of departments actively hiring for yacht crew members. Joining and applying through Meridian is completely free.
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
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2Be Found
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3One Click Apply
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