What is the average salary for a Yacht Captain (60m+)?

The median salary for a Yacht Captain (60m+) in Yachting is $220,000. Salaries range from $140,000 (25th percentile) to $340,000 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $440,000 (90th percentile).

Is Yacht Captain (60m+) a high-demand role?

Yes, Yacht Captain (60m+) is a very scarce role in Yachting, with limited candidates available. The typical candidate pool size is 467-709.

What are other titles for Yacht Captain (60m+)?

Common alternative titles include: Superyacht Captain (60m+), Master (60m+), Captain (Superyacht), Master Mariner (Private). These roles have similar responsibilities and compensation ranges.

Yachting · Director

Yacht Captain (60m+) Salary

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

National Compensation Range

P25

$140,000

25th percentile

P50

$220,000

Median

P75

$340,000

75th percentile

CANDIDATE MARKET

Very Tight

Scarcity: 8.5/10

EST. CANDIDATE POOL

467-709

Active candidates globally

DEMAND TREND

Stable

8% year-over-year

RETENTION

2.8 yr avg tenure

34% annual turnover

Yacht Captain (60m+) Salary by City

New York City, NY$310,000

San Francisco, CA$285,000

Palm Beach, FL$285,000

Boston, MA$275,000

Los Angeles, CA$265,000

Median (P50) adjusted for metro cost of labor.

Market Trends

Superyacht captain comp up ~25-30% since 2022; severe global shortage

Also Known As

Superyacht Captain (60m+), Master (60m+), Captain (Superyacht), Master Mariner (Private)

What Does a Yacht Captain (60m+) Do?

The Yacht Captain (60m+) 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 10 to 14 years of relevant experience. Classified at the Director level, this position draws from a very tight candidate market with an estimated pool of 467-709 qualified professionals, making targeted sourcing and competitive compensation critical for successful placements.

What Drives Yacht Captain (60m+) Compensation?

The median (P50) compensation for a Yacht Captain (60m+) is $220,000, with the 25th to 75th percentile range spanning $140,000 to $340,000. The 91% 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.

Yacht Captain (60m+) Career Path

Professionals who move into Yacht Captain (60m+) 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 2.8 years, with an annual turnover rate of 34%.

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