All information about Merchant Navy Salary is here by Salary Slip. Are you also interested in working in the Merchant Navy? It is one of the best career options because of its lucrative pay and the perks of traveling and exploring around the globe on the ship. The Indian Merchant Navy offers attractive paychecks to its employees, however, candidates are often concerned about the salary of the job role. A new employee starts earning a salary of less than a month, but a merchant navy salary after 5 years of experience can range up to even 5 to 6 lakhs per month.
Read this blog further for a career guide in the Merchant Navy, pay scales, salaries, additional benefits, career growth, entrance exams, and more.
Overview of Merchant Navy Salary in India
The Merchant Navy is the commercial fleet of ships that transport goods, people, and military equipment across the world’s oceans and waterways. It is one of the important transportation systems facilitating international trade and commerce and playing a big role in the global economy. The merchant navy consists of a fleet of merchant vessels, which includes cargo ships, tankers, cruise liners, and coastal support vessels. Some of the departments of the merchant navy are deck, engine, and catering. Seafarers are hired by merchant navy companies that maintain a hierarchy of ranks among the different departments.
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Merchant Navy Salary Per Month In India
The merchant navy is an exciting career choice, especially for those looking for an adventurous life and lucrative pay, offering them diverse opportunities to make money and take on adventurous tasks. In India, the starting salary of merchant navy officers is around INR 7.2 LPA, whereas the highest can go up to INR 37 LPA. The salary of the Merchant Navy per month falls between INR 60,000 and INR 3,08,000 per month. Certain factors influence the salary of merchant navy employees like rank, experience, type of ship, and company.
Factor | Description |
Rank | Higher ranks earn higher salaries. |
Experience | More experienced officers command higher pay. |
Ship Type | Officers on specialized ships like oil tankers may earn more. |
Company | Salaries can vary between different shipping companies. |
Average Merchant Navy Salary After 5 Years
Rank | Estimated Monthly Salary (USD) | Estimated Monthly Salary (INR) |
Deck Cadet | $1,500 – $3,000 | ₹1,25,000 – ₹2,50,000 |
Third Officer | $3,000 – $5,500 | ₹2,50,000 – ₹4,50,000 |
Second Officer | $4,500 – $7,500 | ₹3,75,000 – ₹6,25,000 |
Chief Officer | $8,000 – $12,000 | ₹6,60,000 – ₹10,00,000 |
Captain (Master) | $12,000 – $20,000 | ₹10,00,000 – ₹16,50,000 |
Merchant Navy Salary With Rank
The merchant Navy annual salary with the rank and minimum qualification is given below:
Rank | Minimum Educational Qualification | Average Salary Range (Annual) |
Deck Cadet | Class 12 and Pre-sea Diploma in Nautical Science | 1.2 to 7 Lakhs |
Captain | Master Certificate of Completion | 2.2 to 15 Lakhs |
Chief Officer Post | First Mate Certification Completion | 9 to 50 lakh |
GP Rating Post | Class 10 | 7.20 Lakhs |
2nd & 3rd Officer | Second Mate Certification Completion | 3.5 to 8 Lakhs |
Merchant Navy Salary Per Month for Fresher
The freshers who newly joined the industry can earn around INR 7.2 LPA, which is equal to INR 60,000 per month. The starting salary also depends on the rank and department, for example, those who join as a 2nd or 3rd Officer will earn somewhere between INR 2 and 3 LPA per month, whereas an OS (Ordinary Seaman) will earn around INR 60,000.
Merchant Navy Qualification Wise Salary Structure
Those who want to join the merchant navy just after passing out class 10th can take an entrance test. The Merchant Navy salary after the 10th for G.P. Rating profile is between Rs Rs 25,000 to Rs 60,000 per month while those joining as mess boy, engine rating or cook or seaman can earn between Rs 40,000 to Rs 60,000 per month.
Merchant navy salary after the 12th is between Rs 25,000 to Rs 85,000 per month for those joining as a trainee cadet and deck cadet, whereas those who completed the 10th plus ITI can receive between Rs 50,000 to Rs 85,000 per month.
Merchant Navy 3rd Officer salary per month is approx Rs 1,50,000 to Rs 3,00,000, whereas a chief officer receives Rs 4,00,000 to Rs 6,00,000 per month. A merchant navy captain can generate an income of around Rs 8,65,000 to Rs 20,00,000 per month.
Merchant Navy Profile | Qualification | Merchant Navy Salary (approx.) |
G.P. Rating | Class 10 | Rs 25,000 to Rs 60,000 PM |
Trainee Cadet | Class 12 + Pre-sea Nautical Diploma | Rs 25,000 to Rs 85,000 PM |
Mess Boy | Class 10 | Rs 40,000 to Rs 60,000 PM |
Engine Rating | Class 10 | Rs 40,000 to Rs 60,000 PM |
Cook | Class 10 | Rs 40,000 to Rs 60,000 PM |
Welder/Helper | Class 10 + ITI | Rs 50,000 to Rs 85,000 PM |
Seaman | Class 10 | Rs 38,000 to Rs 55,000 PM |
Electrician | Class 10 + ITI in Electrician trade | Rs 60,000 to Rs 90,000 PM |
Deck Cadet | Class 12 + Pre-sea Nautical Diploma | Rs 25,000 to Rs 85,000 PM |
3rd Officer / 2nd Officer | 2nd Mate (FG) Certificate of Competency | Rs 1,50,000 to Rs 3,00,000 PM |
Chief Officer | 1st Mate (FG) Certificate of Competency | Rs 4,00,000 to Rs 6,00,000 PM |
Merchant Navy Captain | Master (FG) Certificate of Competency | Rs 8,65,000 to Rs 20,00,000 PM |
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What are the Perks and Benefits of Merchant Navy?
Apart from a lucrative salary, various perks and benefits of Merchant Navy attract young individuals to the profession. Here are some of those advantages:
1) Working and Traveling Together
Seafarers work and travel simultaneously. They travel across the world while working and earning, visit places, explore culture, food, and markets. This gains them real-world experience, and this is one of the best jobs to travel the world while not spending from their own pocket.
2) Early Financial Independence
Seafarers are paid quite well. They earn a high salary that allows them to stack wealth and ensure an early retirement as compared to their peers in other careers. Other than salary, they receive incentives and bonuses that allow them to invest and accumulate wealth.
3) Long Vacations
Because the job of the merchant navy requires an extended period of work, the seafarers are given log breaks of 2 to 4 months. This time allows them to relax, spend time on personal life, study further, and enjoy family life without any work pressure.
4) No Fancy Degree Required
To join the merchant navy, no fancy degree like an MBA or PhD is required. One can pursue the merchant navy after completing the 10th and 12th grades and obtaining short-term courses.
5) NRI Status
The Indian government confers NRI status on sailors who are away for longer than 182 days. If a sailor embarks on a journey (outside of India) that exceeds 182 days, they are eligible to officially identify as an NRI, which has tax benefits.
6) Tax Benefits
Merchant navy individuals enjoy tax exemptions. For example, if you are classified as a Non-Resident Indian (NRI) because you have spent more than 183 days outside of India, your income might not be subject to taxation. This ultimately increases your net income, making the profession more lucrative.
What is the Merchant Navy Salary After 12th Science or Commerce?
After the 12th, you can work in the Engine Department or Deck Department, where your monthly compensation can range from ₹30,000 to ₹15,000,000. Depending on rank and experience, the pay in the engine or deck departments is about the same.
To earn more and start with a higher rank, pursue a bachelor’s degree in marine science or a related discipline. Physics, chemistry, and mathematics are required subjects in the 12th grade to pursue the course.
What is the Salary in Merchant Navy After 10th?
To enrol in the merchant navy after the 10th, you must pass the 10th board exam with a minimum of 45% overall. You must fill out an enrollment form and show up for the mental and physical examinations. Cadets are primarily prepared for two responsibilities throughout this six-month pre-sea training program for a general-purpose rating: deck and engine rating.
The minimum age requirement for the training course is 17, and the maximum age limit is 25. You can start working as a deck or engine crew member after completing the GP Rating training. After 36 months on the board, you can go for the 2nd Mate Examination to become an officer. The salary in the merchant navy after 10th is between INR 30,000 and INR 350,000 per year; however, the pay scale may vary depending on exam results and other variables.
Merchant Navy Salary for Chief Officer
The Chief Officer oversees cargo operations, safety and firefighting, environmental protection, and the deck crew. In addition, a chief officer serves as the ship’s security officer. The Chief Officer is the ship’s second-highest-ranking official, behind the Captain. The Chief Officer is responsible for the upkeep and welfare of the ship’s crew members. Besides, he also acts as a duty officer for the newly hired Deck Cadets. This is because they have more experience than the Captain. The Merchant Navy Salary for a Chief Officer ranges from $4,000,000 to $6,000,000.
Merchant Navy Entrance Exams and Eligibility Criteria
1) Merchant Navy Entrance Exams:
Candidates aspiring to get into the merchant navy prepare for entrance exams alongside their 12th board examinations to get admission to reputable Merchant Navy colleges and institutes. Some of the tests or common entrance exams that they take are:
- IMU CET
- JEE Advanced
- MERI Entrance Exams
- TMI SAT
2) Admission through Sponsorship-based Entry in the Merchant Navy:
Candidates can also apply for sponsorships from renowned maritime institutes for several maritime programs. To get into the merchant navy through sponsorships, one must clear a written test, a psychometric test, an interview, and a medical exam.
3) Admission through Lateral Entry (L.E.) into the Second Year of Marine Engineering:
For admission through Lateral Entry (L.E.) into the second year of Marine Engineering programs that are approved by the Directorate General of Shipping, candidates must meet either of the following criteria:
- Completion of the first year of engineering with either electrical or mechanical engineering with a minimum aggregate percentage of 60.
- Holding a diploma in electrical, mechanical, marine, or ship-building engineering with minimum makes of 60%.
4) Merchant Navy Eligibility Criteria:
- Candidates should be between 17 and 25 years old.
- Educational Qualification: For undergraduate courses, candidates must have completed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) with at least 60% aggregate marks, same goes for classes 10th and 12th as well.
- Must be an Indian citizen
Merchant Navy Courses in India
Undergraduate Programs | Diploma Programs | Other Specialized Programs |
B.Tech in Marine Engineering | Diploma in Marine Engineering (DME) | G.P Rating (General Purpose Rating) |
B.Tech in Naval Architecture and Offshore Engineering | Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS) | Marine Engineering under Alternate Training Scheme |
B.Tech in Harbour & Ocean Engineering | Postgraduate Programs | Higher National Diploma (Nautical Science) |
B.Tech in Ship Building | MBA in Shipping & Logistics Management | Higher National Diploma (Marine Engineering) |
B.E in Marine Engineering | MBA in Shipping Finance | B.B.A. in Logistics & Supply Chain Management |
B.E in Mechanical Engineering | Electro-Technical Officer (ETO) | |
B.Sc in Nautical Science |
Merchant Navy Salary Company-Wise
Here are some renowned Merchant Navy companies in India that offer varying salaries according to job profile and rank.
Company Name | Average Salary (INR) |
Ocean Sparkle | 24,55,000 Per Annum |
Shipping Corporation of India | 33,00,000 Per Annum |
Indian Navy | 40,00,000 Per Annum |
Anglo-Eastern Ship Management | 42,00,000 Per Annum |
Fleet Management | 70,00,000 Per Annum |
FAQs
1) What is the Merchant Navy Captain Salary in India?
A merchant navy captain can generate an income of around Rs 8,65,000 to Rs 20,00,000 per month, depending on the company, skillsets, experience, qualifications, and more.
2) What is the Salary of Merchant Navy After 10 Years?
The salary of Merchant Navy after 10 years of experience can go up to INR 20,000 LPA.
3) Which Type of Ship has the Highest Salary?
Officers serving on specialized vessels in the Merchant Navy, such as oil tankers, often have higher earnings compared to their counterparts on different types of ships.
4) Is Merchant Navy Government Job?
No, the merchant navy is not a government job. It includes the transportation of goods and persons across the world and plays a major role in the global economy.
5) Is Merchant Navy Permanent Job?
No, in the Merchant Navy, one needs to sign an employment contract of a specific time period (officers 3-6 months, Ratings 6-9 months). Employees can extend or renew their contract if and when need be.