Yachting · Mid

Sous Chef (Yacht) Salary

Compensation benchmarks from 255 verified sources including industry surveys, published reports, and market intelligence.

National Compensation Range

P25

$50,000

25th percentile

P50

$65,000

Median

P75

$90,000

75th percentile

CANDIDATE MARKET

Competitive

Scarcity: 5/10

EST. CANDIDATE POOL

120-250

Active candidates globally

DEMAND TREND

Stable

8% year-over-year

RETENTION

2 yr avg tenure

25% annual turnover

Sous Chef (Yacht) Salary by City

New York City, NY$90,000
San Francisco, CA$85,000
Palm Beach, FL$85,000
Los Angeles, CA$80,000
Boston, MA$80,000

Median (P50) adjusted for metro cost of labor.

Market Trends

Stable demand; culinary degree and Michelin experience command premium

Also Known As

Yacht Sous Chef, Second Chef (Yacht), Deputy Chef (Superyacht), Junior Chef (Yacht)

What Does a Sous Chef (Yacht) Do?

The Sous Chef (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 3 to 6 years of relevant experience. Classified at the Mid level, this position draws from a competitive candidate pool, though specialized qualifications and sector-specific experience remain key differentiators in hiring.

What Drives Sous Chef (Yacht) Compensation?

The median (P50) compensation for a Sous Chef (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 for this role is trending upward with 0.08% year-over-year growth, which is putting upward pressure on compensation at all levels.

Sous Chef (Yacht) Career Path

Professionals who move into Sous Chef (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%.

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