Yachting · Mid
Lead Deckhand Salary
Compensation benchmarks from 255 verified sources including industry surveys, published reports, and market intelligence.
National Compensation Range
P25
$40,000
25th percentile
P50
$50,000
Median
P75
$60,000
75th percentile
CANDIDATE MARKET
Available
Scarcity: 3/10
EST. CANDIDATE POOL
300-600
Active candidates globally
DEMAND TREND
Stable
4% year-over-year
RETENTION
2 yr avg tenure
28% annual turnover
Lead Deckhand Salary by City
Median (P50) adjusted for metro cost of labor.
Market Trends
Stable; strong pipeline from deckhand promotions
Also Known As
Senior Deckhand, Deckhand Lead, First Deckhand, Deck Team Lead, Lead DH, Senior DH, 2nd Bosun
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?
Get a full search playbook with compensation positioning, sourcing strategy, and interview framework.
Start a Search