The career option in India, Merchant Navy has one of the salary structures which increase grandulously with experience, rank, qualification and type of vessel. Starting merchant navy salary in India could be as low 25,000 per month at the entry level and could go to a few lakhs per month for senior officers such as Chief Engineer or Masters Presently, the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) offers an indicative monthly career progression from approximately ₹25,000–₹50,000 for a Deck Cadet to ₹5 lakh–₹8 lakh and above for a Master; Senior Masters even earning across ₹8 lakh–₹10lakh+.
Merchant Navy Salary in India
Merchant navy salary is based on rank and sailing experience. A new recruit joins as a cadet or rating often receiving far below that of an experienced officer. While it can be very specific to the country you want to work in, after gaining the necessary certificates of competency and completing sea service an officer can move through the ranks as a Third Officer, Second Officer, Chief Officer & Master.
The following is an indicative salary structure based on current DGMA information and industry salary references:
| Merchant Navy Rank | Approx. Monthly Salary |
| Deck Cadet | ₹25,000 – ₹50,000 |
| Engine Cadet | ₹25,000 – ₹60,000 |
| GP Rating / Entry-Level Crew | ₹25,000 – ₹60,000+ |
| Third Officer | ₹1.2 lakh – ₹2 lakh |
| Fourth Engineer | ₹1.2 lakh – ₹2 lakh+ |
| Second Officer | ₹2 lakh – ₹3.5 lakh |
| Second Engineer | ₹2 lakh – ₹4 lakh+ |
| Chief Officer | ₹3.5 lakh – ₹5.5 lakh |
| Chief Engineer | ₹4 lakh – ₹7 lakh+ |
| Master/Captain | ₹5 lakh – ₹8 lakh+ |
| Senior Master | ₹8 lakh – ₹10 lakh+ |
They are therefore indicative numbers, not a specific salary scale. Salaries naturally differ by company, vessel type and flag state as DGMA points out.
The few estimates that exist in the industry indicate that most master of ships with extensive amounts of experience on certain types of vessels and international contracts may be earning up to ₹20 lakh, or even more per calendar month. Please do not take these figures as the base salary of all Captains or Chief Engineers.
Merchant Navy Salary Per Month
How much Merchant Navy Salary per month depends largely on the position you are working in on board.
When you enter the industry as a Fresher in charge of Deck Cadet or Engine Cadet, he gets around 25,000 to 60,000 per month for training and initial stage. A candidate’s Earnings can jump to above ₹1 lakh a Monthly after qualifying as officer and gaining experience.
Expected Salary: A Third Officer gets approximately ₹1.2 lakh to ₹2 lakh monthly If he is a Second officer his salary can range from ₹2 lakh – ₹3.5 Lakh. You will earn a few lakhs per month at senior levels like Chief Officer and Master. Published indicative salary brackets for various officer ranks are ₹3.5 lakh–₹5.5 lakh for a Chief Officer and ₹5 lakh–₹8 lakh+for a Master, according to DGMA data.
Since contracts may have allowances, bonuses, leave pay and other components as part of the basis for credit to a seafarer’s account, this amount would be different.
Merchant Navy Starting Salary
The starting salary of the Merchant Navy varies whether a candidate enters through deck department, engine department or as a rating.
To the raw that helps you get an entry-level position, salaries range from ₹25K to ₹50K per month. As per DGMA’s current career information, a Deck Cadet salary is between ₹25,000–₹50,000/month.
Dont judge the career just on salary at start. Merchant Navy has a career structure based on rank, and after sea service, different examinations and certifications you can expect a significant pay hike.
Merchant Navy Salary After 12th
Merchant Navy salary after12th Merchant Navy salary is a common search for students since there are some Marine courses that can be undertaken after 12 knowing by the completion of Class 12.
Students usually require Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics (PCM) for officer-level routes. As mentioned, current information for relevant marine programmes in IMU states that several under-graduate and post-graduate marine courses require a minimum of 60% aggregate combined marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Maths (PCM) and also scoring at least 50% marks in English.
One is through DNS (Diploma in Nautical Science). According to IMU, DNS is a 1-year residential course on navigation, seamanship and safety management, with graduates then able to progress towards the necessary exams and certification pathway for COCs.
Another approach is a degree program like the B.Sc. Nautical science and those looking at the technical end of things can choose B.Tech marine engineering.
Candidates are encouraged to advance to officer ranks after completing the training and sea service requirements, where salary is much higher than entry level pay.
Merchant Navy Salary After 5 Years
There is no single fixed Merchant Navy salary after 5 years because two people with the same number of years in the industry can hold different ranks.
For example, a candidate who progresses successfully through the officer pathway may be working as a Second Officer, Second Engineer or another intermediate-level professional after several years. Current indicative industry figures put Second Officer salaries around ₹2 lakh–₹3.5 lakh per month, while senior officers can earn substantially more.
Therefore, after five years, salary is better understood by rank and certification rather than simply counting years of experience.
Factors that influence salary after five years include:
- Current rank
- Certificate of Competency
- Sea-service experience
- Shipping company
- Vessel type
- International or Indian flag
- Contract terms
- Additional certifications
- Type of cargo handled
Merchant Navy Salary for Freshers
Graduate engineers mostly began their work as trainees, cadets or ratings.
Deck Cadet can receive anywhere between ₹25,000–₹50,000 per month and entry-level positions like any other will have a similar or relatively identical remuneration depending on the employer & contract. The current average salary of Deck Cadet according to DGMA is between ₹25,000–₹50,000 per month.
At this level you are predominantly gaining sea experience and meeting the responsibilities for career advancement. The pay scale shifts very significantly once a candidate assumes the ranks of an officer.
Merchant Navy Private Company Salary
Since Merchant Navy is mostly associated with private and international shipping companies, there can be no unified salary structure same as government pay commission.
Salaries at private companies differ a lot. The same rank or seafarer will earn more money from one company than from another even with the same vessel or contract.
A vessel specialized company may have an entirely different package than a general cargo or bulk vessels operator.
Marine Engineer Salary
Another important branch available within the Merchant Navy is the engine department.
At the higher level, candidates can get into Marine Engineering through various engineering programmes and eventually progress in their ranks as engineers. According to IMU, the general requirement for its Marine Engineering programme requires candidates to have passed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics (60% aggregate in PCM) along with either English or a language at 50%,
Salary of an Entry Level Engine Cadet — May vary from 25,000–60,000 as per employer and contract. Salary for Fourth Engineer, Second Engineer and Chief engineer can exponentially increase with experience.
Merchant Navy Chief Engineer Salary
The Chief Engineer is the highest-ranking engineering officer on a ship and a senior head of the vessel’s machinery and operations.
Wages depend hugely on type of vessel, employer, experience and contract. According to industry estimates, senior positions for engineers are available between levels of several lakh rupees per month and potentially at a much higher figure for select international contracts.
So even a figure like ₹10 lakh or ₹20 lakh per month should be viewed as an extreme potential package for certain top posts and contracts, not as fixed salary in all cases.
Merchant Navy Salary Based on Ship Type
The vessel on which a seafarer works can influence compensation.
Common vessel categories include:
- Container ships
- Bulk carriers
- Oil tankers
- Chemical tankers
- LNG carriers
- LPG carriers
- Offshore vessels
- Passenger ships
Specialized vessels can have different salary structures because they require particular training, certifications and operational expertise.
For example, industry reports commonly indicate higher compensation opportunities on specialized tanker and LNG vessels than on some general cargo vessels. However, salary should always be verified against the actual employment contract rather than assumed solely from the vessel category.
Merchant Navy Qualification
The qualification required depends on the career route selected.
For several officer-level programmes, candidates generally need Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. IMU’s current programme information specifies 60% aggregate marks in PCM and 50% in English for relevant nautical and marine engineering programmes.
Students can consider routes such as:
Deck Department
DNS, B.Sc. Nautical Science and related maritime training can lead toward deck officer careers.
Engine Department
B.Tech Marine Engineering and other approved marine engineering pathways can lead toward engineering officer positions.
Rating Route
Candidates who do not follow the officer-degree pathway can consider approved rating programmes, subject to applicable eligibility and certification requirements.
Merchant Navy Age Limit
The upper age limit to join the Merchant Navy is subject to the type of course and admission pathway. Always better keep an eye on the latest rule of the programme as this age limit may differ across various types of Merchant Navy.
For instance, IMU’s programme information states that there are varying maximum ages based on both gender and category for some undergrad marine programmes. Currently, there is a 25-year upper limit for General-category males, an air 28 for OBC (NCL), and 30 for SC/ST in a programme listing; the same metres regarding females are: 27, 30 and second years respectively.
The IMU prospectus for 2026–27 also states that it has set age limits for some maritime courses and adds that medical fitness criteria will have to be fulfilled.
As age rules vary according to various courses, applicants are advised to check updated admission notification before applying.
Medical Fitness for Merchant Navy
A sea-going career entails a legally required medical fitness.
Candidates may be required to fulfill certain eligibility criteria as mentioned under the subheadments of eyesight, hearing, colour vision and general physical fitness. Candidates for the required marine programmes, according to IMU, need to fulfil medical criteria specified in the appropriate Merchant Shipping medical regulations and certification from an authorized professional.
Candidates who wish to proceed into Merchant Navy should set the medical by an approved doctor prior to investing heavily in training and see if they fall within the standards applicable.
Merchant Navy Career Progression
The Merchant Navy provides a structured career progression.
A typical deck pathway can look like:
Deck Cadet → Third Officer → Second Officer → Chief Officer → Master/Captain
Similarly, the engine department can progress through engineering ranks toward Chief Engineer.
The exact timeline varies because promotions depend on sea time, examinations, competency certificates, company requirements and available positions.
DGMA’s current career information shows how monthly indicative earnings increase across the nautical officer pathway from Deck Cadet through Third Officer, Second Officer, Chief Officer, Master and Senior Master.
Merchant Navy Salary and Benefits
Salary is only one component of Merchant Navy employment.
Depending on the company and contract, seafarers may receive benefits or allowances associated with:
- Accommodation on board
- Food during the contract
- Travel arrangements
- Medical support
- Leave arrangements
- Overtime or other allowances
- Performance-related payments
- Contract-specific bonuses
The exact benefits differ between employers and contracts, so candidates should read the employment agreement carefully.
Is Merchant Navy Salary Tax Free?
Yet another closely searched query by these people dreaming to become mariners.
Being an employee on a ship does not automatically mean that tax treatment is tax-free. Indian residence rules and so on as well as the number of days outside looking at India.
According to DGMA, based on the provisions of Section 5(1) (of the Income Tax Act), seafarers whose duration of stay outside India in a particular financial year is more than 182 days may be entitled to exemption from income-tax.
Tax regulations may vary by individual case it must be verified either with the provision of the current Income Tax Department or contact a qualified tax professional.
Read Also: UP Police Constable Salary | IBPS RRB Clerk Salary | UP TGT Teacher Salary | UP PGT Teacher Salary
FAQs
What is the starting salary in Merchant Navy?
The starting salary can be around ₹25,000 to ₹50,000 per month for entry-level deck cadet positions, although actual pay varies by role, company and contract.
What is the Merchant Navy salary per month?
Merchant Navy salaries can range from approximately ₹25,000 per month at entry level to several lakh rupees per month for senior officers. Some specialized senior contracts can exceed ₹10 lakh or ₹20 lakh per month, but these are not standard salaries.
What is the Merchant Navy salary after 12th?
After Class 12, students with the required PCM qualifications can pursue approved maritime programmes. Entry-level salary may begin around ₹25,000–₹60,000 per month, with substantial growth possible after qualification and promotion.
What is the Merchant Navy salary after 5 years?
There is no fixed five-year salary. A seafarer’s earnings after five years depend mainly on rank, certification, sea time, employer and vessel.
Is Merchant Navy a government job?
Merchant Navy employment is generally associated with commercial shipping companies rather than a standard government-service structure. Salary and employment conditions therefore vary by company, vessel and contract.
Conclusion
The salary of Merchant Navy in India starts from roughly ₹25,000 per month at Various levels and goes up to several lakh rupees per. Generally, the higher the rank like senior ranks and also more specialized vessels, long contracts abroad and extensive exposure at sea are what best pay. Career progression from Deck Cadet or Engine Cadet into officer level and then to Chief Officer, MasterorChief Engineer.
If you are a student looking about Merchant Navy salary after 12th, starting experience, salary/month or even salary after 5 years, private company (in India) salary with qualification and age limit then remember one thing that pay is just part of the career selection. Date for eligibility, physical incapacity as well as clinical fitness, approved maritime training center, certification, sea service and the employment contract are similarly essential. Also, final admissions should be made only after checking the latest IMU and Directorate General of Shipping eligibility and age criteria.
