Superyacht Crew Costs 2027: Salaries by Yacht Length

Superyacht Crew Costs 2027: Salaries by Yacht Length

Crew salaries are the biggest running cost an owner controls. A captain earns €5,000 to €6,000 a month on a yacht under 30m and €16,000 to €23,000 on an 80 to 100m yacht. These are monthly base salaries in euros, based on our 2026 placements, job offers and candidates’ salary expectations, before tips, bonuses and rotation.

Key roles by yacht length (euros a month)

Role	Under 30m	30–40m	40–50m	50–60m	60–80m	80–100m	100m+
Captain	5,000–6,000	6,000–9,000	8,500–12,500	10,000–16,000	14,000–18,000	16,000–23,000	Discretionary
Chief officer / mate	3,500–4,500	3,500–4,500	5,500–7,000	7,000–8,000	7,000–9,000	8,000–10,000	9,500+
Bosun	–	3,500–4,500	3,750–4,500	4,000–5,000	4,000–5,500	4,500–5,500	5,000–6,000
Junior deckhand	3,000	3,000–3,200	3,000–3,200	3,000–3,200	2,800–3,000	2,800–3,000	2,800–3,000
Chief engineer	–	5,000–7,000	6,500–8,000	8,000–12,000	11,000–12,000+	12,000–15,000	13,000–15,000+
Second engineer	–	–	4,500–5,000	5,500–7,000	7,000–8,000	7,500–9,000	6,500–7,500
Chief stew	–	4,000–6,500	4,500–7,000	5,500–7,500	7,000–8,500	7,500–10,000	8,500+
Second stew	–	–	3,500–5,000	4,500–5,500	4,500–6,000	5,500–6,500	6,000+
Junior stew	3,000–3,500	3,000–3,500	3,000–3,500	3,000–3,500	3,000–3,500	3,000–3,500	3,000–3,500
Head chef	4,500–6,000	5,000–7,500	6,000–9,000	6,500–9,000	7,000–9,000	9,000+	10,000+

A dash means the role is not usually separate at that size. On yachts over 100m the captain’s salary is set individually. These are ranges, not fixed rates.

Roles that appear on larger yachts

• Second officers from 50m and third officers from 60m (€4,500 to €7,500 a month).
• ETO and AV/IT officers from 60m (€7,000 to €10,000 and above).
• Pursers from 60m (€7,000 to €10,000 and above).
• Sous chefs from 40m (€4,000 to €6,000 and above) and third chefs from 80m (€4,500 to €5,500).
• Motormen from 80m (€3,500 to €5,000).

What else adds to crew cost

• Rotation. Senior roles on large yachts are often on rotation, which means paying two people for one position.
• Leave and repatriation. Under MLC 2006, crew are entitled to at least 2.5 calendar days of paid leave for each month of employment. Crew must be repatriated at no cost to themselves, and the yacht must carry financial security to cover repatriation.
• Contracts. under the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006), every crew member must have a seafarer employment agreement signed by them and by the shipowner or their representative, and must be able to review it and take advice before signing.
• Certificates and training. Crew need a valid seafarer medical certificate (the ENG1 on UK and Red Ensign yachts, or an accepted equivalent) and STCW basic safety training, which must be refreshed every five years.
• Insurance, food and uniforms. Crew medical insurance, food on board and uniforms are normal costs for the yacht.
• Charter tips. On charter yachts, guests usually tip the crew. Tips are paid by guests, not from the payroll.

Hiring yacht crew?

Tell us the role and we send a shortlist of vetted candidates within 24 hours. There are no upfront fees: you pay only when we place someone, and every placement comes with a free replacement guarantee. See our yacht crew recruitment page, or the salary guides for captains, chief engineers, chief stewardesses and yacht chefs.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a superyacht captain cost? €5,000 to €6,000 a month under 30m, rising to €16,000 to €23,000 on 80 to 100m yachts. Above 100m the salary is set individually.

How much does a deckhand cost? A junior deckhand earns €2,800 to €3,200 a month, and a specialised deckhand €3,250 to €4,000.

Do crew salaries include tips? No. These are base salaries. Charter tips are paid by guests.

Why do engineers earn so much? Engineers hold the certificates the yacht needs to operate legally, and the qualification required rises with yacht size and power.