What a chief stew earns by yacht size
Northrop & Johnson's 2026 salary guide prints no chief stew figure for yachts under 30m. On those boats the interior is often one person, and that is a sole stew post. The chief stew line starts at 30–40m with US$6,000–8,000 a month. It moves to US$7,000–8,000 at 40–50m and US$8,000–9,500 at 50–60m.
The bigger jumps come with bigger boats. At 60–80m the guide gives US$9,500–10,000 a month. At 80–100m and on yachts over 100m it prints an open figure of US$10,000 and up. Above 80m, the gap between two chief stews is set more by the yacht, the programme and the person than by length alone.
How YPI Crew's figures compare
YPI Crew publishes its 2026 interior guide in euros, so treat it as a second view, not a conversion. It gives €4,000–6,500 a month at 30–40m, €4,500–7,000 at 40–50m and €5,500–7,500 at 50–60m. At 60–80m it shows €7,000–8,500, at 80–100m €7,500–10,000, and on yachts over 100m €8,500 and up.
YPI also lists the leave that comes with the job. Smaller yachts list around 60 days' leave. From 50–60m the figure rises to 90 days or more. From 60–80m it is 90 days or more, or equal rotation, and above 80m YPI lists equal rotation. Weigh time off alongside the monthly number when you compare offers.
Chief stew against purser
Pursers only appear in either guide on yachts of 60m and over. Northrop & Johnson gives a purser US$7,000–8,500 at 60–80m, US$8,000–10,000 at 80–100m and US$8,500 and up over 100m. On that guide, a chief stew on a 60–80m yacht is listed above the purser band.
YPI Crew's euro figures sit closer together. At 60–80m chief stew and purser share the same €7,000–8,500 range, and over 100m both are €8,500 and up. On the largest yachts the two posts often split the work: the purser handles accounts and administration while the chief stew runs service and the interior team. Our purser guide covers that role in full.
What moves your figure within the band
Both guides tie pay to yacht size first. Within a band, experience, references and the yacht's programme decide where you sit. YPI Crew says the role usually needs at least three years in yachting. It also notes that many senior interior crew are tied up in long-term rotational posts on yachts over 60m, which opens room for experienced second stews ready to step up.
A chief stew also carries the interior budget, provisioning, inventory and crew training, according to YPI Crew's role page. Show those skills on your CV with numbers: team size, guest count, budget handled. Charter tips can add to income on charter yachts, and that is covered in a separate guide.
Pay
USD a month. Figures from Northrop & Johnson 2026, US dollars a month; no figure is printed under 30m. YPI Crew 2026 euro figures appear in the text only. Yacht size and experience move the figure. Refer to the chief stew pay page for pay by yacht size.
What you need
- STCW Basic Safety TrainingYPI Crew states that every crew member, whatever the post, needs a valid STCW Basic Safety Training certificate to work on board.
- Seafarer medical (ENG1)The Maritime and Coastguard Agency issues the ENG1 seafarer medical certificate through approved doctors. The current fee is £115, and if you are employed in the UK your employer pays it.
- Yachting experienceYPI Crew says the chief stew role typically requires at least three years of experience in the superyacht industry.
- Service and housekeeping skillsExpect to know formal service styles, laundry, care of fine interior surfaces, and wine, cocktail and barista work.
- Management and budgetingThe post covers hiring, training and leading the interior team, plus budget, accounts, provisioning and inventory.
How to get there
- 0–1 yearJunior stewLearn service, housekeeping and laundry on a larger crew. Northrop & Johnson lists US$3,500 a month at most sizes.
- 1–3 yearsExperienced stewBuild range across service and interior care, or run a small interior alone as sole stew.
- Around 3 yearsSecond stewDeputise for the chief stew, run service on charters and start handling inventory and rotas.
- 3+ yearsChief stew, smaller yachtTake the department on a 30–50m yacht, where Northrop & Johnson's band starts at US$6,000 a month.
- Later careerChief stew, large yachtMove to 60m and over, where pay reaches US$9,500–10,000 and above, often on rotation.
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Related pages
Questions people ask
How much does a chief stew earn on a 50m yacht?
Northrop & Johnson's 2026 guide lists US$7,000–8,000 a month at 40–50m and US$8,000–9,500 at 50–60m. YPI Crew gives €4,500–7,000 and €5,500–7,500 for the same bands.
Does a chief stew earn more than a purser?
On Northrop & Johnson's 2026 figures, a chief stew at 60–80m (US$9,500–10,000) is listed above a purser at the same size (US$7,000–8,500). YPI Crew puts both posts at €7,000–8,500 at 60–80m and €8,500 and up over 100m.
Is there a chief stew figure for yachts under 30m?
Neither Northrop & Johnson nor YPI Crew prints a chief stew figure under 30m. On yachts that size the interior is often run by one sole stew, and YPI notes that sole stews start higher than other experienced stews.
How much leave does a chief stew get?
YPI Crew lists 60 days' leave on 30–40m yachts, rising to 90 days or more from 50–60m. On yachts over 80m it lists equal rotation.
How long does it take to become a chief stew?
YPI Crew says the role typically needs at least three years in the superyacht industry. Most crew come up through junior, experienced and second stew posts first.
