Employer Registration
- LocationSeattle, WA, USA
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length111' to 144' (34 to 44 meters)
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
Yacht Jobs in Washington
Build your maritime career with top super yacht jobs in Washington.
From private yacht placement to luxury charter employment opportunities,Washington has to offer a strong foundation for both beginners and experienced crews. An established marina and consistent vessel traffic across seasons are what set Washington apart from other yachting regions in the world. Thus, it's a market that rewards those who know where to look and how to show up.
Meridian puts you directly in front of hiring captains, yacht owners, and recruiters. Join Meridian for free to join and let your next role find you in just a few clicks.
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Chef
Job Filled
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- LocationSeattle, WA, USA
- Salary$9000 to $10,0000
- Vessel Length111' to 144' (34 to 44 meters)
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
Captain
-
Full-Time
Job Filled
VIEW
- LocationSeattle, WA, USA
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length111' to 144' (34 to 44 meters)
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
Chief Steward(ess)
Job Filled
VIEW
- LocationSeattle, WA, USA
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length111' to 144' (34 to 44 meters)
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
Chief Steward(ess)
Job Filled
VIEW
- LocationSeattle, WA, USA
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length111' to 144' (34 to 44 meters)
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
Captain
-
Full-Time
Job Filled
VIEW
- LocationSeattle, WA, USA
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length111' to 144' (34 to 44 meters)
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
Chef
Job Filled
VIEW
- LocationSeattle, WA, USA
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length47 meters
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
Why Work in Washington?
Working in Washington 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 Washington. The range of vessels available accommodates both short-term contracts and long-term billets.
- The high-demand windows in Washington 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, Washington 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 Washington
Yacht crew salaries in Washington 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
Finding a yacht job in Washington requires a strong presence both online and offline. Start by registering yourself with recruitment agencies or, even better, platforms like Meridian. Here, you can browse all active openings in Washington, filter by role and vessel type, and apply directly. Build networks through dock walking. Walk to the docks (where permitted) and ask captains for day work. Even though yachting recruitment has moved mainly to the online sphere, showing up physically is still the best way if you are new to the industry.
Rather than targeting one city, consider the routes vessels take through Washington. Ports along those paths, where yachts refuel, restock, or switch crew, are often the hottest spots for job opportunities.
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.
In yachting, seasonal positions are among the most accessible. Keep an eye on the months before peak season for Washington, as this is when job postings are most prevalent, and captains are most open to new crew.
Salaries across yachting roles in Washington reflect the US market rate. Captain and chief engineer positions on super yachts can command six-figure annual salaries. Newer crews usually start lower but grow quickly as they gain hours and certifications.
Coastal cities with specialised superyacht facilities are often the busiest yachting destinations in Washington. You may get a real-time picture of where the jobs are now focused by searching Meridian by location.
In Washington, the primary way that you can find and apply for yacht jobs is through job boards. Create a free account online on Meridian, a yacht recruitment platform with hundreds of job listings from Washington. Upload your CV and other essential documents, and start applying directly to open positions. Our One Click Apply feature makes it fast, so you can apply to multiple roles in minutes.
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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