Merchant Navy Salaries 2025: Know Pay Scales, Opportunities, And Benefits
Table of Contents
- Jaro Education
- 27, May 2025
- 5:00 pm
Merchant navy is one of the world’s most dignified and high-paying professions. In this domain, the professionals are in charge of handling cargo and passenger vessels at sea. Today, a significant part of India’s trading routes are sea-based, which means there are ample opportunities for Indians to find employment in this sector. Besides the obvious prestige, this career path also brings added benefits like traveling worldwide, ample scope for professional development, and, most importantly, handsome remunerations.
However, to secure a high merchant navy salary in India, one must have the right qualifications and experience. The first step in this direction is clearing the standard entrance tests such as IMU CET (Indian Maritime University Common Entrance Test) and JEE (Joint Entrance Examination) Advanced to join the merchant navy.
So, to help answer your queries, here is a comprehensive guide on merchant navy salaries in India.
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Qualification Wise Merchant Navy Salary in India
Here is a clear discussion about qualification-wise salaries for merchant navy professionals in India.
India Merchant Navy Salary After 12th
Individuals who want to join the merchant navy after their 12th-class examination should fulfill certain eligibility requirements to get a job. Here is a brief description of this –
First, they should go through training on the tasks related to maintaining the ship and keeping the lifesaving appliances (LSA) and firefighting appliances (FFA). Additionally, they should check the surrounding tank on a daily basis. Also, they have to be involved in various port work.
After completing the training, the merchant navy starting salary in India after class 12 ranges between ₹25000 and ₹80000. Then, the salary will gradually increase with the years of experience and the upgrading of skills and knowledge.
India Merchant Navy Salary After 10th
Candidates with a minimum 45% aggregate in their 10th standard examination are eligible for the GP (General Purpose) Rating course. They should fill out a registration form and then appear in the series of exams. These exams test their mental and physical abilities. The pre-sea course for GP rating takes 6 months to complete. During this course, the candidates are trained for the two roles, Deck and Engine Rating. After completing the course, the candidates can start working in the engine or deck crew.
The merchant navy starting salary in India after class 10 ranges between ₹25000 and ₹30000. This pay scale changes based on the candidate’s achievements and examinations.
Merchant Navy Salary in India of the Deck Department
Here are the details about specialization-wise merchant navy salary per month in India –
- 3rd Officer
The 3rd officer in the merchant navy is responsible for handling and managing lifesaving and firefighting apparatus. Thus, they are also referred to as the safety officer of the ship. The 3rd officer is the first rank that individuals get after clearing their 2nd Mate certification of Completion. This rank’s merchant navy salary in India can be –
For tanker ship: ₹2,15,000 to ₹3,50,000
For dry cargo ship: ₹2,00,000 to ₹3,00,000
- 2nd officer
The 2nd officer is responsible for the route planning and navigation of the ship. Also, they take responsibility for the medical officer and designated communication officer when required. The merchant navy salary in India for 2nd officers varies depending on the individual’s experience.
For tanker ship: ₹3,30,000 to ₹4,00,000
For dry cargo ship: ₹2,15,000 to ₹3,50,000
- Captain
Being responsible for the entire functioning of the vessel, the captain takes care of everything from the crew to the cargo. This is the highest rank one can achieve in the merchant navy. The role of captain is one of the highest-paying jobs in the world. The captain’s merchant navy salary in India lies between –
For tanker ship: ₹7,50,000 to ₹12,00,000
For dry cargo ship: ₹6,60,000 to ₹8,30,000
- Chief Officer
The chief officer is the second highest-ranked personnel in the merchant navy after the captain. The chief officer is responsible for leading, welfare, and management of the crew onboard. They are also in charge of cargo operations, firefighting, and safety operations. Additionally, they serve as the vessel’s security officer. The merchant navy salary in India for the chief officer varies between the range of –
For tanker ship: ₹6,50,000 to ₹8,00,000
For dry cargo ship: ₹5,40,000 to ₹7,10,000
Merchant Navy Salary in India for the Engine Department
The engineering department takes care of the maintenance of the ships’ engines. They make the engines in such a way that ensures the ships run smoothly. It also ensures the deck officers navigate the ship without any trouble. Here is an overview of the merchant navy salary per month in India for the engineering department.
- Trainee Marine Engineer
The trainee marine engineer is the lowest rank among the marine engineers, which includes only training and learning new skills. Individuals with this rank are trainees under the 2nd Engineer position. The trainees assist the 2nd Engineer in their night rounds and senior engineers in their duties. The merchant navy salary in India for the trainee marine engineers varies between –
For tanker ship: ₹30,000 to ₹70,000
For dry cargo ship: ₹30,000 to ₹70,000
- 4th Engineer
4th Engineer is the first rank one can get after clearing the MEO (Marine Engineer Officer) Class IV as a junior engineer. They are liable for controlling the compressor and purifier. Additionally, they control the machinery except the primary engine, boilers, and auxiliary engine. Their duties and responsibilities increase drastically, as does their salary. The 4th Engineer’s merchant navy salary in India ranges between –
For tanker ship: ₹2,15,000 to ₹3,50,000
For dry cargo ship: ₹2,00,000 to ₹3,00,000
- 3rd Engineer
To get promoted from the 4th Engineer to the 3rd Engineer, one needs to have ample experience and knowledge. The 3rd engineers maintain auxiliary engines, fresh water generators, port watchkeeping, perform cooler water tests, and maintain the boiler. Here is their merchant navy salary in India details –
For tanker ship: ₹3,30,000 to ₹4,16,000
For dry cargo ship: ₹3,30,000 to ₹4,00,000
- 2nd Engineer
2nd Engineer is the second highest rank in the engineering department. They supervise the cargo-related systems and machinery. They have to maintain the ballast system valves, ballast water treatment systems, auxiliary engines, cranes/gantries, pumps, and more. Their merchant navy salary in India range is –
For tanker ship: ₹6,50,000 to ₹8,00,000
For dry cargo ship: ₹6,50,000 to ₹8,00,000
- Chief Engineer
It’s the highest rank in the engineering department. They supervise the engine-related tasks and ensure the machinery is working. Furthermore, they are accountable for the well-being of all engine crews. Here is a quick information about their merchant navy salary in India –
For tanker ship: ₹7,50,000 to ₹12,00,000
For dry cargo ship: ₹6,60,000 to ₹8,30,000
Merchant Navy Salary in India for the General Position Rating
Unlike the deck and engine department, the rating department doesn’t provide any officer position. However, the job roles within this department involve various deck and engine-related tasks that impact the maintenance of the ship’s condition. Additionally, there is catering-related work on the ship.
So, there are three types of rating departments in the merchant navy. These are – deck rating, engine rating, and saloon rating. Here is a close look at merchant navy salary in India for each of the roles related to these departments.
Merchant Navy Salary in India for the Deck Rating
The roles of deck rating jobs involve cargo handling, general maintenance of the ship, mooring/unmooring, etc.
- Bosun
Being the head of the crew, the bosun is in charge of following all the instructions of the Chief Officer. They assign the day-to-day tasks to the other crew members directed by the chief officer. Moreover, the bosun is the spokesperson of the crew. Thus, the boss supervises the crew and shares their complaints and issues with the chief officer.
Merchant navy salary in India for bosun: ₹1,00,000 to ₹ 1,60,000
- Able-Boiled Seaman (AB)
The AB takes account of maintenance and steers the ship. Also, they assist the duty officer as per the requirements. They help the Officer in Gangway watch, ship navigation, etc. Apart from these, they ensure the safety of the crew and handle the ship’s paperwork.
Merchant navy salary in India for AB: ₹1,00,000 to ₹ 1,24,000
- Ordinary Seaman (OS)
The OS’s regular duty involves maintenance of the ship, assisting during the arrival and departure of the ports, and managing the Anchor stations. They help AB with the bridge lookout, Gangway watches, etc. Additionally, they clean the tanks and the holds.
Merchant navy salary in India for OS: ₹60,000 to ₹75,000
- Trainee OS
Basically, the trainee OS assists the bosun. So, they perform the manual tasks in the deck department. For instance, they clean the deck, machinery, grating, vessel’s hull, and bilges and wipe the excess grease and oils.
Merchant Navy Salary in India for Engine Rating
People in the engine rating department assist the engineers in the maintenance of the engine. The positions in this department are –
- Trainee Wiper
The trainee wiper works under the Second Engineer. They serve as the engine room assistants, perform deck cleaning, and conduct routine checks for the cleanliness across the ship.
Trainee wiper’s merchant navy salary in India: ₹30,000 to ₹40,000
- Wiper
Wiper cleans the engine department areas, machinery, and oil spills. They also work under the Second Officer.
Wiper’s merchant navy salary in India: ₹60,000 to ₹75,000
- Motorman
The motorman tracks and monitors several systems and machinery to assist the duty officer in watch-keeping. They also help the engineering officers in the maintenance and inspection of the machines.
Merchant navy salary in India for motorman: ₹1,00,000 to ₹1,24,000
- Fitter
The engine fitter supervises welding, operating the lathe machine, grinding, and gas cutting. Generally, they work in the engine room but also work on decks during heavy workloads.
Fitter’s merchant navy salary in India: ₹1,00,000 to ₹ 1,60,000
Merchant Navy Salary in India for the Saloon Rating
For the Saloon Rating, the available positions and their respective salaries are –
- Steward
The steward assists the cook in preparing food for the people onboard. They must be present in the mess room of the officers during meal hours and serve food to the officers. They also clean dishes and lines after the meal. Additionally, they clean officers’ cabins and accommodation areas.
Merchant navy salary in India for steward: ₹60,000 to ₹80,000
- Cook/Chief Cook
The cook superintends the entire catering service for the crew. They also help in planning and supplying food, water, fuel, and safety materials on the ship.
Merchant navy salary in India for cook: ₹1,00,000 to ₹1,60,000
Factors Affecting Merchant Navy Salary in India
Qualification and experience are the major factors that directly affect India’s merchant navy salary. These are already mentioned in the previous sections. Now, let’s look at the other factors impacting the salaries in the merchant navy.
- Employer: Merchant Navy Salary in India differs based on numerous shipping companies. Specifically, it depends upon the company, size, financial health, and reputation. For example, multinational and private shipping companies offer lucrative salaries, benefits, and job security. Meanwhile, government-affiliated shipping companies have static salary ranges.
- Trading routes: Salary for international trade routes tends to be higher than that for inland routes. Individuals working within the high-risk routes get special hazard pay. Also, the ships working in unpopular countries or under extreme conditions offer high incentives for taking extra risks.
- Type of ship: The ship types play a key role in influencing the salaries. As the specialized ships require professionals with high technical skills and abilities to take high risks, these offer high pay scales. These vessels include LNG ships, oil tankers, and offshore ships. Cruise ships have a low base pay scale. However, they offer rewards with tips, bonuses, and onboard facilities.
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Benefits of Working on Merchant Navy
A career in the merchant navy offers the following benefits –
- High package: The merchant navy career is known for its high package. The average merchant navy salary in India varies between ₹3LPA – ₹18.7. Also, individuals with merchant navy careers can gain many more financial rewards.
- Travel opportunities: Due to the demands of the job, the merchant navy professionals get a chance to travel to different countries and experience different cultures.
- Tax benefits: There are several tax benefits for individuals working in the merchant navy. Suppose a crew member works outside India for 183 days or more during a tax year according to their passport or Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC). In that case, their residency status will be converted to that of a non-resident sailor. A non-resident merchant navy personnel is eligible for a tax-free income in India. Thus, these people can draw a tax-free merchant navy salary in India.
- Job security: As merchant navy jobs are related to international trade, they always look for qualified and skilled workers. It indicates high job security and stable career opportunities.
- Career development: The merchant navy also offers a great chance for career development. People starting from the trainee position can get to the very top of the ladder through upskilling and sincerity.
- Utilization of advanced technology: Seafarers use sophisticated navigation systems, communication tools, life-saving apparatus, and more. Thus, by utilizing these tools, they advanced their skills and kept ahead of themselves with technological advancement.
By the way, people interested in merchant navy roles must have proper management and leadership skills. So, they might become helpful by taking some professional courses on management, like the Professional Certificate Programme in Strategic Management – IIM Kozhikode.
Conclusion
The merchant navy salary in India in 2025 continues to offer a lucrative and rewarding career path. It remains the perfect career choice for those seeking adventure, global exposure, and financial stability. With competitive pay scales, tax-free income for international voyages, and a wide range of additional benefits, the profession remains highly attractive and in demand among young Indians.
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