Quay Crew’s latest Superyacht Captain Salary & Leave Report 2025/26 offers a unique insight into what life is really like for today’s superyacht Captains. Based on insights from 367 Captains working on vessels ranging from 20m to 120m+, the comprehensive report explores key trends in salaries, rotation, bonuses, and job satisfaction across the global fleet.
While the data shows progress in areas like travel perks and pay transparency, one finding stands out above all others: 62% of Captains admit to performing some level of work during their rotational leave periods. It’s a statistic that raises important questions about work-life balance, wellbeing, and the long-term sustainability of current rotation systems.
When “Time Off” Isn’t Really Time Off
Rotation has become standard practice across much of the superyacht industry, with 63% of Captains now enjoying a time-for-time rotation. But as the report reveals, the reality doesn’t always live up to the promise. Only 28% of Captains say they completely switch off during their leave. The rest remain partially connected, usually checking emails, fielding calls, or handling yacht issues that arise during their supposed downtime.
Of those who continue to work during leave, 31% do so occasionally, 15% regularly, and 16% very frequently (several times per week). 10% of respondents selected ‘other’ which included a variety of other responses.
“These findings should be a wake-up call for the industry,” says Simon Ladbrooke, Captain Consultant at Quay Crew. “Whilst rotation has been a huge step forward, the reality is that many Captains never truly switch off. That’s not sustainable in the long term and ultimately impacts retention, wellbeing, and even safety.”
Salary Trends & Benefits
The 2025/26 report also offers valuable benchmarking data for salaries across all yacht sizes. Average monthly pay ranges from around €6,000 on 20–24m yachts to over €25,000 on 100–119m vessels. The 70–79m bracket saw one of the largest increases this year, with salaries up by 7% compared to 2023.
In terms of benefits, there’s positive movement in travel perks. Business-class flights are becoming more common, with more than half of Captains now receiving business-class travel on long-haul routes — a 4% increase from the previous survey in 2023. While these may seem like small wins, they reflect a growing recognition of the demands placed on senior crew and the need to support them accordingly.
Job Satisfaction and Ongoing Challenges
Overall satisfaction levels among captains remain fairly positive, with 37% very satisfied in their current roles. However, roughly a quarter report feeling neutral or dissatisfied, pointing to several ongoing challenges. These include excessive yacht usage, tight budgets, crew turnover, and unrealistic owner expectations.
The report also reveals that 53% of Captains receive some form of annual pay rise, though only a small proportion (13%) have these increases written into their contracts. Bonus structures are mixed, with many captains receiving a 13th-month bonus, but others reporting inconsistent or unpredictable arrangements.
Looking Ahead
Whilst salaries have remained fairly stagnant across most yacht sizes, some benefits are improving. We are seeing increased rotation on smaller yachts. However, as per the survey and anecdotal evidence, too many captains on rotation are still working too much.
Simon Ladbrooke adds, “The market is beginning to value experienced captains in a more meaningful way, but there’s still more to do to make this career sustainable for the long term. On the positive side, this is still a fabulous career offering a great lifestyle, salary and benefits.”
Request the Full Report
The 2025/26 Superyacht Captain Salary & Leave Report provides a comprehensive overview of the current landscape, with detailed data on pay, leave, bonuses, and job satisfaction including detailed yacht size bracket breakdowns.
📩 To request a copy of the full report, please contact marketing@quaygroup.com.
