Superyacht Crew Salary Guide – 2026

Working as a crew member on a Superyacht has some incredible perks…

… from being on the ocean and seeing new countries to brushing shoulders with the rich and famous and, of course, earning an amazing salary.

In 2026, the superyacht industry remains busy and competitive. Global yacht build numbers are high, charter demand is strong and well-trained crew continue to be in demand across both private and charter fleets.

The good news is that things have got better! Since the pandemic, the Superyacht industry has seen significant growth over the last couple of years.

Is now a good time to join the superyacht industry?

For the right people, yes.

As more yachts enter the global fleet, demand for qualified, motivated entry-level crew remains steady, particularly Deckhands and Stewardesses who arrive with the correct certificates and a professional attitude.

Most entry-level crew can expect to earn between €2,000 and €3,500 per month, rising quickly with experience, additional skills, and time onboard. Senior roles command significantly higher salaries, with Captains on large yachts earning €10,000–€16,000+ per month.

Living costs, tips, and tax advantages:

One of the biggest advantages of working on a superyacht is how little you spend.

Accommodation, meals, utilities, and travel during the season are typically covered, meaning a high percentage of your salary can be saved. But be warned of lifestyle creep, after a few champagne nights in Monaco, spontaneous trips and designer purchases can eat into savings faster than expected!

On charter yachts, crew also receive tips, commonly around 10% of the charter fee, shared between the crew. On busy yachts, this can add €1,500–€5,000+ per charter, with exceptional weeks earning considerably more.

Many crew also benefit from tax-efficient or tax-free earnings, depending on their residency, contracts, and time spent at sea.

Read on for our complete guide to the Superyacht crew salary for 2026…

Reality check: Superyacht salaries are attractive, but competition for jobs is high. Most employers expect crew to arrive fully certified, professional, and ready to work long hours in a team environment.

How much do you earn on a super yacht?

In short, your salary will depend on the role you work in on the Superyacht, in conjunction with its size; however, the average salary is €2,500 per month (most boats pay in Euros rather than pounds).

Several other factors will determine Superyacht crew salary, too, including previous experience, qualifications, and extra skills (such as Dinghy Instructor, Carpenter, and Divemaster, to name a few).

Whether the yacht is chartered or privately owned will all contribute to your monthly pay packet; your basic salary will be the same whether you work on a charter yacht or a private boat, though on a charter, you will generally receive tips; this usually around 10% of your monthly salary, or it can range between €1,500 to €5,000+.

Here’s a breakdown of Superyacht crew salaries in more detail by role:

Superyacht Captain salary – €4,000 to €16,000+

A Superyacht Captain is responsible for all activity onboard, crew safety and well-being, and the experience offered to guests.

The Captain is the owner’s main point of contact on the yachts; whether things are going right or wrong, it can be a highly pressured and stressful job.

The salary reflects the responsibility in this high-pressure environment, and the range in salary normally depends on experience and the boat’s length.

Generally, larger boats will carry more guests and staff; therefore, the Captain will have higher responsibilities, a bigger budget, and more challenges to cope with.

First Officer salary – €3,200 to €8,000+

The First Officer, also known as Chief Officer or Chief Mate, is always second in command to the Captain.

They will assist the Captain in a wide range of duties and tends to be responsible for the safety of the Superyacht and everyone on board. Furthermore, the role of the First Officer also includes bridge watches and navigation.

Due to needing a firm understanding of working on deck, the First Officer normally starts their career as a Deckhand and progresses from there.

If you are an experienced First Officer and have moved onto larger yachts, then your next step will be to become a Captain.

Superyacht Bosun salary – €3,200 to €5,000+

Otherwise known as the Senior Deckhand, the Bosun is the ‘line manager’ of all Deckhands on the boat. The responsibilities of the Bosun are to manage and maintain the exterior of the yacht to the highest order.

This role also includes spending time with the guests, making sure they are having fun and are safe on all the toys the Superyacht has, such as jet skis and dinghy sailing boats.

Chief Stewardess salary – €2,800 to €7,000+

The Chief Stewardess is responsible for the interior of the Superyacht. Attention to detail, elegance, and cleanliness is paramount for this role.

Moreover, you will be required to perform duties discreetly and anticipate the requests and demands of guests, as well as manage your team of Stewardesses. A managerial background in hospitality will, therefore, help for this role.

Generally, the Chief Stewardess will have gained previous experience in an entry-level Stewardess role and fully understands the functions of a working Superyacht.

Superyacht Stewardess salary – €2,000 to €3,500+

This is an entry-level position working on board a Superyacht.

Open to males and females.

Being a Superyacht Stewardess is a wide-reaching role covering three main areas: Service, Housekeeping, and laundry. Your actual day-to-day activities can vary depending on the type of yacht (private or charter), owner, and Itinerary. You will be the host, cleaner, florist, and housekeeper, and collectively responsible for looking after the guests 24/7.

If you are looking an alternative to university, and want a career with real progression and a very good salary, becoming a Superyacht Stewardess could be for you! If you would like to start a career as a Stewardess, then consider joining our Superyacht Stewardess Course.

Superyacht Deckhand salary – €2,000 to €3,500+

This is another entry-level role to work on a Superyacht.

Open to male and female

A very hands-on role, the Deckhand is responsible for the exterior of the yacht, and tasks will typically involve cleaning, painting, sanding, varnishing, and all general maintenance of the boat.

As with all Superyacht roles, working as a Deckhand requires some skills and qualifications before you start looking for work. The good news is that you don’t have to go to Uni to get whats required. You will be able to get qualified in a few weeks.

How to become a Superyacht Stewardess or Deckhand.

If you want a career in the Superyacht Industry, we are where you start. Our popular Superyacht Deckhand and Superyacht Stewardess Training Courses give you all qualifications and experience needed to get your first job at sea. Contact us by phone, email, or live chat.

Alternatively, download our FREE guide and learn all there is to know about working on a Superyacht as a Deckhand or Stewardess.