Yachting · Entry · 1 to 3 years typical
3rd Engineer (Yacht) Salary
Annual base compensation, national and by market, from 258 named sources. Every figure below says where it came from.
| Market | Multiplier | P25 | P50 | P75 | P90 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York City, NY | 1.40× | $65,000 | $90,000 | $125,000 | $155,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | 1.30× | $60,000 | $85,000 | $115,000 | $145,000 |
| Boston, MA | 1.25× | $60,000 | $80,000 | $110,000 | $140,000 |
| Palm Beach, FL | 1.25× | $60,000 | $80,000 | $110,000 | $140,000 |
| Miami, FL | 1.23× | $60,000 | $80,000 | $110,000 | $135,000 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 1.20× | $60,000 | $80,000 | $105,000 | $130,000 |
| Washington, DC | 1.20× | $60,000 | $80,000 | $105,000 | $130,000 |
| Seattle, WA | 1.15× | $55,000 | $75,000 | $100,000 | $125,000 |
| Chicago, IL | 1.05× | $50,000 | $70,000 | $90,000 | $115,000 |
| Dallas, TX | 1.00× | $50,000 | $65,000 | $90,000 | $110,000 |
Time to fill 8 weeks for comparable searches, estimated from rouka's benchmark set.
Stable demand; pathway to 2nd engineer role
What does a 3rd Engineer (Yacht) do?
The 3rd Engineer (Yacht) operates aboard private and charter yachts, managing vessel operations, crew, and guest experiences for yacht owners and charter clients. Professionals in this role typically bring 1 to 3 years of relevant experience. Classified at the Entry level, this position draws from a competitive candidate pool, though specialized qualifications and sector-specific experience remain key differentiators in hiring.
What drives 3rd Engineer (Yacht) compensation?
The median (P50) compensation for a 3rd Engineer (Yacht) is $65,000, with the 25th to 75th percentile range spanning $50,000 to $90,000. The 62% spread between P25 and P75 reflects significant pay variation driven by vessel length and type (motor vs. sailing), charter vs. private program, crew size, operating region, and required certifications (MCA, STCW, ISM). Demand is holding stable, with compensation levels expected to track broader market adjustments.
3rd Engineer (Yacht) career path
Professionals who move into 3rd Engineer (Yacht) roles most commonly come from commercial maritime, cruise line operations, naval service, or hospitality management with maritime crossover. From this position, the typical trajectory leads toward larger vessel commands, fleet management, yacht management company leadership, or shoreside marine operations director roles. The average tenure in this role is approximately 2 years, with an annual turnover rate of 25%.
Hiring a 3rd Engineer (Yacht)?
A search playbook for this seat: compensation positioning against the band above, the sourcing map, and the interview framework.