Yachting · Senior
Yacht Captain (Under 30m) Salary
Compensation benchmarks from 255 verified sources including industry surveys, published reports, and market intelligence.
National Compensation Range
P25
$50,000
25th percentile
P50
$75,000
Median
P75
$120,000
75th percentile
CANDIDATE MARKET
Competitive
Scarcity: 5/10
EST. CANDIDATE POOL
494-795
Active candidates globally
DEMAND TREND
Stable
17% year-over-year
RETENTION
1.7 yr avg tenure
33% annual turnover
Yacht Captain (Under 30m) Salary by City
Median (P50) adjusted for metro cost of labor.
Market Trends
Growth in owner-operated smaller yachts keeps demand healthy
Also Known As
Captain (Small Yacht), Skipper (Under 30m), Motor Yacht Captain (<30m), Sailing Yacht Captain, Day Captain, Yacht Master, Master 200GT
What Does a Yacht Captain (Under 30m) Do?
The Yacht Captain (Under 30m) 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 7 years of relevant experience. Classified at the Senior level, this position draws from a competitive candidate pool, though specialized qualifications and sector-specific experience remain key differentiators in hiring.
What Drives Yacht Captain (Under 30m) Compensation?
The median (P50) compensation for a Yacht Captain (Under 30m) is $75,000, with the 25th to 75th percentile range spanning $50,000 to $120,000. The 96% 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 0.17% year-over-year growth, which is putting upward pressure on compensation at all levels.
Yacht Captain (Under 30m) Career Path
Professionals who move into Yacht Captain (Under 30m) 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 1.7 years, with an annual turnover rate of 33%.
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