Yachting · Mid · 2 to 4 years typical
Lead Deckhand 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× | $55,000 | $75,000 | $85,000 | $110,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | 1.30× | $50,000 | $70,000 | $80,000 | $100,000 |
| Boston, MA | 1.25× | $50,000 | $65,000 | $80,000 | $95,000 |
| Palm Beach, FL | 1.25× | $50,000 | $65,000 | $80,000 | $95,000 |
| Miami, FL | 1.23× | $50,000 | $65,000 | $75,000 | $95,000 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 1.20× | $50,000 | $60,000 | $75,000 | $90,000 |
| Washington, DC | 1.20× | $50,000 | $60,000 | $75,000 | $90,000 |
| Seattle, WA | 1.15× | $45,000 | $60,000 | $70,000 | $90,000 |
| Chicago, IL | 1.05× | $40,000 | $55,000 | $65,000 | $80,000 |
| Dallas, TX | 1.00× | $40,000 | $50,000 | $60,000 | $75,000 |
Time to fill 6 weeks for comparable searches, estimated from rouka's benchmark set.
Stable; strong pipeline from deckhand promotions
What does a Lead Deckhand do?
The Lead Deckhand 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 2 to 4 years of relevant experience. Classified at the Mid level, this position draws from a available candidate pool, though specialized qualifications and sector-specific experience remain key differentiators in hiring.
What drives Lead Deckhand compensation?
The median (P50) compensation for a Lead Deckhand is $50,000, with the 25th to 75th percentile range spanning $40,000 to $60,000. The 42% 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.
Lead Deckhand career path
Professionals who move into Lead Deckhand 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 28%.
Hiring a Lead Deckhand?
A search playbook for this seat: compensation positioning against the band above, the sourcing map, and the interview framework.