Nautical Salary Guide 2026

A yacht captain's salary in Spain varies by vessel size: 3,000-5,000 €/month on boats under 30m, 6,000-12,000 €/month on 30-50m yachts, and 12,000-25,000 €/month on superyachts over 50m. In seasonal charter (Ibiza, Mallorca) typical ranges are 1,800-3,200 €/month for skippers of vessels up to 15-20m.

A deckhand in the Spanish nautical sector earns between 1,100 and 1,900 €/month net depending on the region. In the Balearics (Ibiza, Mallorca) the usual range is 1,200-1,800€, in Barcelona 1,200-1,900€, and in Galicia 1,100-1,700€. Accommodation and meals are included on board during the work period.

A stewardess in the Spanish nautical market earns between 1,400 and 2,600 €/month in standard charter. On mid-size yachts (30-50m) the range rises to 2,800-4,000€/month, and on superyachts over 50m can reach 3,500-5,500€/month. A chief stewardess on a superyacht can exceed 10,000 €/month.

The yacht chef is one of the most sought-after profiles: between 1,800 and 3,500 €/month in seasonal charter (Canarias pays more for year-round work), up to 6,000-12,000€/month on luxury superyachts. The shortage of chefs qualified to work on vessels means salaries continue rising.

Yes. In virtually all onboard positions, accommodation and meals are included during the work period. This means you can save almost all of your salary. For a deckhand earning 1,500€/month, the equivalent benefit in housing + food can exceed an additional 800€ per month.

By region: the Balearics (Ibiza and Mallorca) pay the highest salaries in peak season (May-October) thanks to luxury tourism. Barcelona offers similar salaries with a longer season. The Canaries are the best option for year-round work with stable salaries. Galicia has the lowest salaries but less competition.

The best time to look for nautical work is between February and April. Most charter companies in the Balearics and the Mediterranean hire for the season (May-October) during those months. For the Canaries, the winter season starts in October, so active hiring begins from August-September.

It depends on the role: Skipper/Captain requires at minimum PNB or PER for recreational vessels, and higher qualifications (PY, PH, Yacht Captain) for larger vessels. Deckhand, stewardess and chef have no mandatory qualification requirement, although STCW Basic (maritime safety certificate) is highly valued and sometimes required.

Salaries in the Spanish nautical sector have risen between 8% and 12% since 2023, driven by high demand for qualified crew and the expansion of nautical tourism. The shortage of qualified chefs and marine engineers has generated increases of up to 15-20% for those profiles.

A marine engineer earns between 1,800 and 3,000 €/month in a fixed position, or 200-350€/day as a freelance/day worker. It is one of the most in-demand profiles, especially during season preparation (March-May). On superyachts a chief engineer can earn 5,000-8,000€/month.