What is the salary of a Captain or Master Mariner in merchant navy?

A Master Mariner (Captain) earns between $10,000 and $16,000 USD per month in 2026. On LNG carriers, captains can earn $18,000 to $22,000 per month. The Captain holds the highest rank onboard and requires a Master FG Certificate of Competency from DGS India.

What is the salary of a Chief Mate or Chief Officer in merchant navy?

A Chief Mate (Chief Officer) earns between $7,500 and $12,000 USD per month. On tankers and LNG vessels the range extends higher. The Chief Mate is the second in command onboard and requires a Chief Mate FG COC from DGS India.

What is the salary of a 2nd Engineer in merchant navy India?

A Second Engineer earns between $7,500 and $12,000 USD per month. On specialised vessels like LNG and chemical tankers, the range is higher. The 2nd Engineer is the second most senior engineering officer onboard and requires MEO Class II COC from DGS India.

What is the salary of an ETO (Electro-Technical Officer) in merchant navy?

An ETO (Electro-Technical Officer) earns between $5,500 and $7,500 USD per month. ETOs are responsible for all electrical and electronic systems onboard. The role requires an ETO COC and is one of the fastest-growing positions in modern shipping due to increasing vessel automation.

What is the salary of a 2nd Mate or Second Officer in merchant navy?

A Second Mate (Second Officer) earns between $4,000 and $5,500 USD per month. The 2nd Mate is the ships safety officer and requires a 2nd Mate FG COC from DGS India. This is typically the first officer rank after cadet training.

What is the salary of a 3rd Engineer in merchant navy?

A Third Engineer earns between $4,000 and $5,500 USD per month. The 3rd Engineer is typically the most junior engineering watch-keeping officer. Requires MEO Class IV COC from DGS India and is the entry point into the engineering officer career path.

What is the salary of a 4th Engineer in merchant navy?

A Fourth Engineer earns between $1,800 and $3,800 USD per month. This is the entry-level engineering officer rank for newly certified MEO Class IV officers. Salary increases significantly with each promotion up the engineering ladder.

What is the salary of a 3rd Mate or Third Officer in merchant navy?

A Third Mate (Third Officer) earns between $1,800 and $3,800 USD per month. This is typically the entry officer rank for newly certificated deck officers. Requires a 2nd Mate FG or 3rd Mate COC from DGS India.

What is the salary of a Deck Cadet in merchant navy?

A Deck Cadet receives a stipend between $400 and $1,200 USD per month during sea service training. This is not a full salary but a training allowance. Cadetship is funded either through GME sponsorship by a shipping company or self-funded through institutes like IMU.

Which vessel type pays the highest salary in merchant navy?

LNG and LPG carriers pay the highest salaries — typically 30 to 40 percent above the standard benchmark. Chemical tankers pay 15 to 25 percent above benchmark. Crude oil tankers pay 10 to 20 percent above benchmark. Product tankers are at benchmark. Bulk carriers pay close to benchmark, and general cargo vessels sometimes pay 10 percent below.

Is merchant navy salary tax-free for Indian seafarers?

Yes. Indian seafarers qualify for NRI status if they spend 182 or more days outside India in a financial year. Once NRI-qualified, their foreign-earned merchant navy salary is fully exempt from Indian income tax under Section 10(1)(a) of the Income Tax Act. Use the Sailrnetwork NRI Calculator to check your qualifying days.

How much does a Chief Engineer earn annually in Indian rupees?

At $10,000 to $16,000 per month, a Chief Engineer earns approximately ₹1 crore to ₹1.6 crore per year at current exchange rates. Because this income is NRI tax-exempt, the entire amount is take-home — making the effective CTC significantly higher than equivalent shore-based roles.

How many years does it take to become a Chief Engineer in merchant navy?

It typically takes 12 to 18 years from joining as an Engine Cadet to reaching Chief Engineer rank. The progression is: Engine Cadet (2 years) → 4th Engineer (2-3 years) → 3rd Engineer (2-3 years) → 2nd Engineer (3-4 years, requires MEO Class II) → Chief Engineer (requires MEO Class I). Sea service requirements between each grade are mandated by DGS India.

What COC exam is required to become a Chief Engineer in India?

To become a Chief Engineer, you need MEO Class I Certificate of Competency from DGS India. This requires prior MEO Class II COC, a minimum of 12 months sea service as 2nd Engineer, and passing written and oral examinations at an MMD in India. The MEO Class I is one of the most demanding technical examinations in the maritime industry.

What is the salary difference between LNG and bulk carrier for a Chief Engineer?

A Chief Engineer on an LNG carrier earns $15,000 to $20,000 per month versus $10,000 to $13,000 on a bulk carrier — a difference of 40 to 50 percent. LNG vessels require additional certification (STCW Basic and Advanced LNG) and carry higher responsibility, which commands the premium.

Community-Verified · 2026

Merchant Navy Salary Guide 2026

Q: What is the salary of a Chief Engineer in merchant navy 2026?

A Chief Engineer in the merchant navy earns between $10,000 and $16,000 USD per month in 2026. On LNG carriers this can reach $18,000 to $20,000 per month. The salary is paid in USD and is fully NRI tax-exempt for qualifying Indian seafarers, making it one of the highest-paying professions in India.

Benchmark salaries for Indian seafarers — updated for current market conditions

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Salary by Rank

Senior Officers

RANK	USD / MONTH
Master	$10,000 – $16,000
Chief Engineer	$10,000 – $16,000

Officers

RANK	USD / MONTH
Chief Mate	$7,500 – $12,000
2nd Engineer	$7,500 – $12,000
2nd Mate	$4,000 – $5,500
3rd Engineer	$4,000 – $5,500
3rd Mate	$1,800 – $3,800
4th Engineer	$1,800 – $3,800
ETO	$5,500 – $7,500

Cadets

RANK	USD / MONTH
Deck Cadet	$400 – $1,200
Engine Cadet / TME	$400 – $1,200

Ratings

RANK	USD / MONTH
Bosun	$1,600 – $2,400
Pumpman	$1,400 – $2,200
Fitter	$1,400 – $2,200
AB Seaman	$1,200 – $2,000
Oiler	$1,400 – $2,200
Wiper	$600 – $1,200

Catering / GS

RANK	USD / MONTH
Chief Cook	$1,600 – $2,400
Steward / GS	$600 – $1,200

NRI Tax Exemption: Indian seafarers qualifying under Section 10(1)(a) of the Income Tax Act pay zero tax on foreign-earned salary. Calculate your NRI qualifying days → NRI Calculator See community salary reports by company → Salary Dashboard

Figures represent indicative CBA / ITF-aligned contract ranges. Actual salaries vary by company, vessel type, and flag state.

Salary by Vessel Type

The same rank earns significantly different salaries depending on the vessel type. LNG and chemical tankers command the highest premiums.

VESSEL TYPE	PREMIUM vs BENCHMARK	CHIEF ENGINEER EXAMPLE
LNG / LPG Carrier	+30% to +40%	$14,000 – $20,000/mo
Chemical Tanker	+15% to +25%	$12,000 – $18,000/mo
Crude Oil Tanker	+10% to +20%	$11,500 – $17,000/mo
Product Tanker	Benchmark	$10,000 – $16,000/mo
Container Ship	Benchmark	$10,000 – $15,500/mo
Bulk Carrier	Benchmark	$10,000 – $14,500/mo
General Cargo	-5% to -10%	$9,000 – $13,000/mo

Career Path & Required Exams

Every salary jump in merchant navy requires a Certificate of Competency (COC) from DGS India. Here is what it takes to reach each level.

Engineering Officers

Engine Cadet → 4th Engineer → 3rd Engineer → 2nd Engineer → Chief Engineer

📋MEO Class IV — Entry level engineering COC →📋MEO Class II — Required for 2nd Engineer →📋MEO Class I — Required for Chief Engineer →

12–18 years from cadet to Chief Engineer

Deck Officers

Deck Cadet → 3rd Mate → 2nd Mate → Chief Mate → Master

📋2nd Mate FG — Entry officer COC →📋Chief Mate FG — Required for Chief Officer →📋Master FG — Required for Captain →

12–16 years from cadet to Captain

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about merchant navy salaries, vessel type premiums, and NRI tax benefits.

Questions from the Community

Real questions asked by seafarers and aspirants on SailrQ

❓What is the salary of a Chief Engineer in merchant navy? →❓How many years to become a Captain in merchant navy? →❓What is the salary of a Second Officer on a container ship? →❓What are the tax benefits for seafarers in India? →

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