Merchant navy salary is one of the first things students and parents ask about, and it is also one of the most confusing. One website promises a cadet ₹85,000 a month, another says ₹25,000, and both can be right depending on the ship and the company.
This guide explains what each rank can realistically expect, why pay varies so much for the same rank, and how to compare a salary offer properly. There is no single official merchant navy pay scale in India, so the figures below are indicative ranges compiled from published industry guides, not guaranteed offers.
These ranges are typical estimates for Indian seafarers on foreign-going ships. Actual pay depends on the company, ship type and your experience.
| Rank | Department | Indicative monthly pay |
|---|---|---|
| GP Rating (starting out) | Deck / Engine | ₹15,000 to ₹40,000 |
| Deck Cadet | Deck | ₹25,000 to ₹85,000 |
| Third Officer | Deck | ₹1.2 lakh to ₹3.5 lakh |
| Second Officer | Deck | ₹2.5 lakh to ₹5.5 lakh |
| Chief Officer | Deck | ₹4 lakh to ₹10 lakh |
| Captain (Master) | Deck | ₹8 lakh to ₹20 lakh or more |
| Second Engineer | Engine | ₹4 lakh to ₹10 lakh |
| Chief Engineer | Engine | ₹8 lakh to ₹20 lakh or more |
The top of each range usually applies to specialised ships such as LNG carriers and crude tankers. Treat these numbers as a guide for comparison, and always go by the written contract you are offered.
The closest thing to an official benchmark is the minimum wage set under the International Labour Organization’s Maritime Labour Convention. It applies to an able seafarer, not to officers.
An ILO subcommittee agreed in April 2025 to these minimum monthly basic wage levels:
This is a floor for basic pay rather than a typical total salary, and how it applies can depend on the ship’s flag and employment agreement.
Two second officers can earn very different amounts. These are the main reasons:
A monthly figure does not tell you your yearly income, because seafarers work on contracts with long leave periods in between. In many cases, the main wage is earned while you are on board, so always ask how leave is paid.
As a simple example, an offer of ₹2 lakh a month for 8 paid months comes to ₹16 lakh for the year, not ₹24 lakh. To understand the rotation, read how many months officers stay at sea and at home.
Food and accommodation on board are generally provided, which means your day-to-day expenses during a contract are low. This is a big reason seafarers can save more than their monthly figure suggests.
Not automatically. It depends on your residential status for that financial year, and not simply on your job.
Tax law changes, and the rules depend on your exact situation. Please check with a chartered accountant who works with seafarers before relying on this.
The largest pay jumps usually come with promotion, not with time alone. Moving up generally requires sea time plus the required certificate of competency.
Your entry route decides your starting rank, so it has a direct effect on your pay in the early years.
Many officer routes involve the IMU CET and company sponsorship tests. If you are preparing, see our IMU CET coaching in Dehradun and the list of shipping companies offering sponsorship.
High salaries attract fake agents, so check every offer carefully:
Merchant navy salary can grow from a modest starting wage to several lakh rupees a month at senior ranks, but it depends on your rank, ship and company, and it is earned through years of demanding work at sea. Compare offers by yearly income, not just the monthly figure.
Not sure which route suits you? Talk to Officers Maritime Academy in Dehradun for guidance on courses, IMU CET preparation and sponsorship exams.
A: It depends on rank. Indicative ranges run from about ₹25,000 to ₹85,000 for a deck cadet up to ₹8 lakh to ₹20 lakh or more for a captain or chief engineer. There is no single official pay scale, so actual offers vary.
A: A GP Rating may start at around ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 a month, while cadets are commonly quoted at ₹25,000 to ₹85,000. Pay usually rises sharply once you become an officer.
A: The captain and chief engineer are the highest-paid ranks on board. Pay at this level is usually highest on specialised ships such as LNG carriers and crude tankers.
A: It depends on residential status. A non-resident seafarer’s salary for work on a foreign ship is generally outside Indian tax, but a resident’s salary may be taxable. Check your own case with a chartered accountant.
A: Pay is normally linked to rank, company and contract rather than gender, so compare the written contract for your rank. Read our guide on whether girls can join the merchant navy to learn more.
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