A lot of yacht crew assume there’s little opportunity beyond life onboard, but that’s simply not true. We covered how to make the transition in our previous article about transitioning from yachting to private households.
In this article, we’ll break down the key differences between land-based roles and yachting positions covering salary expectations, living arrangements, and career progression.
We take a side-by-side look at what each path involves, so you can decide which direction feels right for your future.
Salaries
Salaries are, of course, a major factor when deciding on your next role or which career path to explore.
Yachting salaries are often higher than those in private households for entry-level roles such as those starting out in a stewardess role. This is often due to the tax advantages, depending on your country of residence, yacht crew salaries can be tax-free and the potential for generous tips, especially during a busy charter season.
Tips can make a big difference, and because your food and accommodation are already covered onboard, you’ll often find it much easier to save (or treat yourself!).
In contrast, private household roles may not offer the same level of tips, but they often provide a more stable income with structured bonus schemes, performance reviews, and clearer long-term earning potential.
Salaries on land can also vary quite a bit depending on factors such as location, whether the role is live-in or live-out, the scope of responsibilities, and whether travel is required, and you will be more than fairly compensated for these extra responsibilities.
Living Arrangements
As you may have seen on Below Deck, living arrangements onboard a superyacht can be compact. While the show is dramatized for entertainment, the cabin sizes definitely are not. You will normally be sharing a cabin with 1-3 other crew members, often with a shared bathroom. This is a normal part of working onboard and something to keep in mind if personal space is important to you.
Private household roles generally offer more spacious and flexible living situations. Depending on the employer and your contract, accommodation can vary a lot. Some employers provide a housing allowance, which gives you the freedom to find your own place nearby, often with utilities included.
If it’s a live-in role, you’ll likely have your own bedroom within the main residence, either in dedicated staff quarters or, depending on the setup, as part of the main house. This will depend on the property and the family, but space and privacy are usually a step up from yacht life.
Career progression
Career development can also be compared between the two industries. Land based roles could offer more diversification while yachting can often offer a faster initial growth for junior staff.
Career progression on yachts can often feel very structured. For example, if you join a vessel as a stewardess, your progression might typically look like this: Stew → 2nd Stew → Chief Stew → Purser, with specific certifications or ‘tickets’ required to move forward.
On land, roles tend to offer a wider variety and more flexibility. Positions within a household can range from House Manager, Personal Assistant, Chauffeur, Chef, Nanny, or even Dog Specialist. There’s often room to specialise in areas like event planning, wardrobe management, travel coordination, or childcare.
Land-based roles can also be a great stepping stone if you’re looking to transition into a private office or family office environment down the line. While certifications aren’t always required, professional training is definitely valued, for example, butler schools, etiquette training, or executive PA courses can really help you stand out.
Next steps
Whether you’re choosing your next career step or exploring a new direction, it’s important to understand the key differences between life on board and life ashore, each comes with its own set of pros and cons, depending on the lifestyle you want to lead.
There are many factors to consider, from work-life balance to long-term career goals. If you ever need guidance or support in making the right decision, the EHC team is here to help.
For a confidential discussion contact info@ehc-ltd.com.