Cruise ship captain salary typically averages around $130,000 annually, with earnings ranging from $52,000 to $190,000 depending on the captain’s experience and the cruise line they are employed by.
The cruise ship captain is crucial for safety and operations, overseeing maritime complexities with precision. They ensure safety, manage operational costs impacting safety standards and their salary, and commit to the vessel’s well-being and smooth operation throughout its journeys.
In this article, we discuss the cruise ship captain salary, the cities with the highest pay for captains, and the factors influencing their earnings.
What is a cruise ship captain?
What Is The Cruise Ship Captain Salary?
“ZipRecruiter indicates that in 2022, the average annual salary for cruise ship captains was $54,229. However, the salary range is quite broad, with some captains earning as little as $17,500 and others up to $100,000 per year. This significant disparity in earnings reflects differences in skill levels, years of experience, locations, and the cruise lines they work for.”
In the cruise industry, jobs for captains offer a wide range of salaries, from $50,000 to $400,000 annually. The amount a cruise ship captain earns is influenced by their experience level, with top-tier captains making as much as $400,000. There are plenty of opportunities in this field, and experienced captains can enjoy that salary for 30+ years.
“During his presentation aboard the Bolette, Captain Mickael Degerlund explained the extensive path to becoming a cruise ship captain. He started his seafaring career at 16 as a deck boy and achieved his Master’s license at the age of 30 after continuous education.”
Captain Degerlund emphasized the time and dedication needed to reach such a high position in the maritime industry.
“According to an American pay reference website, the average salary is reported to be $92,125 per year, while Payscale cites an average of $94,484 annually.”
Which Cities Have The Highest Pay For Cruise Ship Captains?
Following 10 locations, ZipRecruiter provides valuable insights into the average pay for the captain position across various cities and locations. This information is crucial for those looking to understand the earning potential in this ship-based work environment.
| City | State | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| San Mateo | California | $65,871 |
| Berkeley | California | $63,567 |
| Daly City | California | $63,389 |
| Richmond | California | $61,874 |
| Irvine | California | $61,498 |
| Odessa | Texas | $60,539 |
| Stamford | Connecticut | $60,250 |
| Bellevue | Washington | $60,079 |
| Orange | California | $60,070 |
| San Francisco | California | $59,961 |
Factors Affecting The Cruise Ship Captain Salary
1: Location
Cruise ship captains come from diverse backgrounds around the world, but where they are based can greatly impact their salary, even during extended stays aboard the ship. Typically, captains from Europe and North America earn higher salaries, reflecting the increased cost of living in these regions.
This approach is driven by market conditions, leading cruise lines to recruit crew members from diverse backgrounds, some of whom are willing to accept lower wages. However, the availability of highly qualified captains worldwide is limited, resulting in competitive salaries for those from the US, Canada, or Europe who secure these roles.
2: Size of the company
A captain’s salary depends not only on the size of the cruise ship they manage but also on the size of the cruise ship company. Larger companies offer higher salaries because they have the resources and aim to recruit the most skilled captains for their operations.
Carnival and Royal Caribbean are leading cruise companies, responsible for all aspects of operations and customer experiences across their fleets. They manage hierarchies of millions of passengers and employ thousands of talented individuals worldwide.
3: Size of the Cruise Ship
Bigger the ship, the more responsibility rests on the captain’s shoulders for safely navigating the giant, floating piece of metal from port to port. Leading a team of officers and crew, they ensure smooth operations and address challenges at sea, maintaining the ship’s structure and readiness both in port and on voyages.
This is inherently connected to the captain’s experience. Novice captains aren’t entrusted with the largest ships without extensive years in similar roles. As a result, seasoned captains who command the biggest vessels earn higher salaries.
4: Prestige of the Cruise Ship
A cruise captain not only manages the lives of passengers and crew but also upholds the prestige and reputation of the cruise line.
The salary of a cruise captain reflects these duties, as they must maintain the highest standards on their ships. The reputation and successful operation of the cruise line depend heavily on the captain’s expertise and leadership.
“A renowned ship like Icon of the Seas, the largest in the world, needs a captain who can manage the significant responsibility of such a valuable asset for the cruise line without feeling the pressure. As a result, this position commands a higher salary.”
5: Experience
Cruise ship captains play a crucial role in the successful operation of a cruise line. The journey to becoming a cruise ship captain involves climbing the professional ladder and gaining a lot of experience.
One significant factor influencing their salary is the value of the ship they command, as well as the pressure associated with managing such an important asset.
Less experienced captains are still very competent, as no one is promoted to captain unless they are fully prepared. However, the longer a captain serves, the more they can demand a higher salary. With more cruise ships being built, cruise lines must retain their best captains to prevent them from moving to competitors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Cruise Ship Captain Salary Per Month?
Top earners among cruise ship captains make approximately $11,458 per month, while the average monthly salary is around $6,468.
How Much Does Disney Cruise Ship Captain Salary?
The average pay for a Captain at this company in the United States is estimated to be $22.33 per hour, which is 36% lower than the national average.
How To Become A Cruise Ship Captain?
To become a cruise ship captain, you typically need a bachelor’s degree in marine transportation or a related field, gain experience as a deckhand, and obtain required certifications. Advancement involves progressing through officer roles to qualify for captain positions with cruise lines or shipping companies.
How Much Cruise Ship Captain Salary In Uk?
In the United Kingdom, cruise ship captains earn an estimated annual salary of £55,500, determined from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and data collected from user-reported salaries.
How Much Does A Cruise Ship Captain Salary In Australia?
On average, cruise ship captains typically earn between $150,000 and $200,000 annually. However, this amount can vary depending on factors such as the size of the ship, the cruise line they work for, and their level of experience.
How Much A Cruise Ship Captain Salary In South Africa?
Ship captains in South Africa typically earn around ZAR 656,335 per year and ZAR 316 per hour on average.