Second Engineer pay range
Indicative monthly pay for a yacht Second Engineer runs €4,500 to €7,000, before tips or bonuses. That's a solid step up from Junior/3rd Engineer (€3,500 to €5,000) and reflects the shift from purely assisting to holding real watchkeeping and maintenance responsibility.
| Engineering rank | Indicative monthly pay |
|---|---|
| Junior / 3rd Engineer | €3,500 to €5,000 |
| Second Engineer | €4,500 to €7,000 |
| Chief Engineer | €6,000 to €20,000 |
Indicative monthly ranges in euros, excluding tips and bonuses. See the full yacht crew salary guide for every department, or the dedicated Chief Engineer salary breakdown →.
What moves a Second Engineer's pay within that range
- Vessel size. A Second Engineer on a large yacht with a bigger technical department and more complex systems sits higher in the range than one on a smaller vessel.
- Certificate level. A Y2 ticket (versus Y3) opens larger vessels and typically commands more.
- Programme. Busy charter boats with heavier engineering workloads (tenders, toys, stabilisers, AV/IT alongside propulsion and generators) tend to pay towards the top of the band.
Getting to Second Engineer
The route up from Junior/3rd Engineer runs through the Y-ticket system, with sea time and STCW engineering endorsements at each stage. See the full engineering career path for the exact certificate sequence, or find an MCA-approved Second Engineer orals prep course in the training directory.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a yacht Second Engineer earn?
Indicative monthly pay for a superyacht Second Engineer runs €4,500 to €7,000, before tips or bonuses, sitting between Junior/3rd Engineer (€3,500 to €5,000) and Chief Engineer (€6,000 to €20,000).
What certificate do you need to be a Second Engineer?
Typically a Y3 or Y2 engineering certificate of competency depending on the vessel size, with the qualifying sea time and STCW engineering endorsements built up from Junior/3rd Engineer level.
How long does it take to go from Junior to Second Engineer?
It depends on sea time and course availability rather than a fixed timeline. The exact requirements at each stage are in the full career path guide.
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Related: Full yacht crew salary guide → · Career path guide → · Sea service explained →