Salary guide / Captain & Relief Captain
Captain & Relief Captain salaries
Captain & Relief Captain pay worldwide from the Northrop & Johnson crew salary guide, until SuperyachtRoles.com has enough job ads with pay to publish its own.
Median salary · Worldwide
$201,000
Source: Northrop & Johnson 2026 Yacht Crew Salary Guide (U.S. dollars), 2026 (Yacht captain). Monthly USD by yacht size: <30m 9.8-12.25k, 30-40m 9.8-16.4k, 40-50m 13-20.5k, 50-60m 16.4-24.5k, 60-80m 19.6-32.75k, 80-100m 26.2-32.8k, 100m+ discretionary. Figures are annual, in USD. We switch to live job-ad figures once we have five or more captain & relief captain ads with pay.
Captain & Relief Captain pay by yacht size
Monthly pay as printed in two 2026 crew salary guides, with the leave package from YPI Crew. Each figure links to its guide. The annual column is 12 × the monthly figure (our calculation). Last checked 31 October 2026.
Captain
| Yacht size | Northrop & JohnsonUS$ a month | Northrop & JohnsonUS$ a year | YPI Crew€ a month | YPI CrewLeave |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 30m | 9,800–12,250 | 117,600–147,000 | 5,000–6,000 | 60 days |
| 30–40m | 9,800–16,375 | 117,600–196,500 | 6,000–9,000 | 60 days |
| 40–50m | 13,000–20,500 | 156,000–246,000 | 8,500–12,500 | 60 days or equal rotation |
| 50–60m | 16,400–24,500 | 196,800–294,000 | 10,000–16,000 | 60 days or equal rotation |
| 60–80m | 19,600–32,750 | 235,200–393,000 | 14,000–18,000 | Equal rotation |
| 80–100m | 26,200–32,800 | 314,400–393,600 | 16,000–23,000 | Equal rotation |
| 100m+ | Discretionary | — | Discretionary | Equal rotation |
- Both guides say captain pay depends on experience and qualifications.
- YPI says its figures are indicative starting ranges. It says rotational pay is generally 10–20% lower a month, and that pressure to offer leave or rotation now starts at 40–50m.
- Sources: Northrop & Johnson, 2026 Yacht Crew Salary Guide (US$) and YPI Crew, Yacht Crew Salary Guide 2026 (€).
Where the two guides disagree
Cells where the numbers differ. YPI's euros are converted to US$ at the European Central Bank euro reference rate of 1.1172 (30 October 2026). The gap compares midpoints. Largest gap first.
| Role | Yacht size | Northrop & JohnsonUS$ a month | YPI Crew€ a month | YPI Crewin US$ | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Captain | Under 30m | 9,800–12,250 | 5,000–6,000 | 5,586–6,703 | YPI 44% lower |
| Captain | 30–40m | 9,800–16,375 | 6,000–9,000 | 6,703–10,055 | YPI 36% lower |
| Captain | 60–80m | 19,600–32,750 | 14,000–18,000 | 15,641–20,110 | YPI 32% lower |
| Captain | 40–50m | 13,000–20,500 | 8,500–12,500 | 9,496–13,965 | YPI 30% lower |
| Captain | 50–60m | 16,400–24,500 | 10,000–16,000 | 11,172–17,875 | YPI 29% lower |
| Captain | 80–100m | 26,200–32,800 | 16,000–23,000 | 17,875–25,696 | YPI 26% lower |
Gaps of 20% or more are in bold.
Indicative monthly net figures in EUR for permanent roles; actual pay varies with private vs charter operation, rotation, flag and owner. Day rates apply to freelance relief/delivery work. Figures are guideline ranges, not guarantees.
Live captain & relief captain roles
See all →CHARTER | Captain & Mate/Chef Couple Team | Oyster 575
Oyster Yachts Crew · Worldwide
Business Development Manager
Superyacht Recruiter · Worldwide
€40,000 - €45,000/year
Sales Director
Superyacht Recruiter · Worldwide
Marina Manager - Italy
Superyacht Recruiter · Worldwide
Head of Yachting
Superyacht Recruiter · Worldwide
3:1 (rotation) MATE / RELIEF CAPTAIN – 15m+ CHASE BOAT
MYS Superyacht Crew · Mediterranean
€6,000/month
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