Employer Registration
- LocationTennessee City, TN 37055, USA
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length111' to 144' (34 to 44 meters)
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
Yacht Jobs in Tennessee
Searching for a yacht captain or stewardess role in Tennessee? Meridian makes it easy to access verified yacht jobs across various ranks and departments.
From seasonal charter runs to permanent billets on long-range vessels, Tennessee sees consistent crew movement throughout the year. Moreover, key marinas keep vessels close, and recruiters, including private yacht owners, actively use our platform to source qualified candidates.
Meridian is the yachting industry's leading digital job board with 45,000+ active crew, hundreds of agencies, and a platform designed to get you hired without the red tape. Join the platform today and start getting the latest job alerts that match your requirements.
Why Work in Tennessee?
Working in Tennessee places you in a market that strikes a balance between year-round activity and seasonal opportunities. Since the state's marinas are important stops for ships travelling longer US coastal routes, crew demand doesn't completely go away with the seasons.
- A diverse recruiting environment is present due to the combination of private yachts, charter companies, and refit facilities in Tennessee. The range of vessels available accommodates both short-term contracts and long-term billets.
- The high-demand windows in Tennessee are defined by charter seasons, but wise employees explore beyond those peaks. For those who pay attention, maintenance seasons, delivery routes, and private owner schedules produce a more constant stream of opportunities.
- If you're looking to pursue a long-term career in yachting, Tennessee is a decent option because it's not as crowded as large hubs like Fort Lauderdale while still being busy enough to get employment on a regular basis.
Yacht Job Salaries in Tennessee
Yacht crew salaries in Tennessee 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
Online job boards like Meridian and social media platforms are arguably the most active places where you can look for day work and last-minute yacht job openings. However, using both the online and offline modes for searching jobs is the best way. Visit ports and ask for jobs in person, build connections with yacht crew members, and offer day work services if you're new.
The busiest yachting cities in Tennessee are usually coastal or waterfront locations with significant infrastructure for large vessels. To get job alerts from specific cities Tennessee, try searching on Meridian filtered by location. Besides, a general search on Meridian will show you exactly where demand is highest right now.
For most entry-level deck roles, a valid STCW Basic Safety Training certificate is the minimum requirement. For more senior positions — mate, captain, chief engineer — you'll need appropriate USCG or MCA certification.
Yes, there are. Based on weather, charter demand, and vessel migration, seasonal hiring in Tennessee usually follows a predictable pattern. You have a significant advantage when timing your applications if you understand that cycle.
As per current trends, the average annual salary for a yacht crew in Tennessee 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.
Coastal cities with specialised superyacht facilities are often the busiest yachting destinations in Tennessee. You may get a real-time picture of where the jobs are now focused by searching Meridian by location.
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 Tennessee. 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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1Join for Free
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