Yachting · Senior · 6 to 9 years typical
Chief Engineer (Yacht) Salary
Annual base compensation, national and by market, from 257 named sources. Every figure below says where it came from.
| Market | Multiplier | P25 | P50 | P75 | P90 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York City, NY | 1.40× | $90,000 | $155,000 | $245,000 | $305,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | 1.30× | $85,000 | $145,000 | $230,000 | $285,000 |
| Boston, MA | 1.25× | $80,000 | $140,000 | $220,000 | $275,000 |
| Palm Beach, FL | 1.25× | $80,000 | $140,000 | $220,000 | $275,000 |
| Miami, FL | 1.23× | $80,000 | $135,000 | $215,000 | $270,000 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 1.20× | $80,000 | $130,000 | $210,000 | $265,000 |
| Washington, DC | 1.20× | $80,000 | $130,000 | $210,000 | $265,000 |
| Seattle, WA | 1.15× | $75,000 | $125,000 | $200,000 | $250,000 |
| Chicago, IL | 1.05× | $70,000 | $115,000 | $185,000 | $230,000 |
| Dallas, TX | 1.00× | $65,000 | $110,000 | $175,000 | $220,000 |
Time to fill 18 weeks for comparable searches, estimated from rouka's benchmark set.
Technical systems and hybrid propulsion increase value of experienced engineers; among hardest maritime hires on 60m+
What does a Chief Engineer (Yacht) do?
The Chief 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 6 to 9 years of relevant experience. Classified at the Senior level, this position draws from a very tight candidate market with an estimated pool of 62-106 qualified professionals, making targeted sourcing and competitive compensation critical for successful placements.
What drives Chief Engineer (Yacht) compensation?
The median (P50) compensation for a Chief Engineer (Yacht) is $110,000, with the 25th to 75th percentile range spanning $65,000 to $175,000. The 100% 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.
Chief Engineer (Yacht) career path
Professionals who move into Chief 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 1.9 years, with an annual turnover rate of 37%.
Hiring a Chief Engineer (Yacht)?
A search playbook for this seat: compensation positioning against the band above, the sourcing map, and the interview framework.