A Career in the Merchant Navy is a respected job and is rewarding in a financial nature, too. The Merchant Navy Salary 2024 is an attractive feature of this job, which is why many young individuals are drawn to this different field. This career offers handsome salaries and numerous perks, but the salary varies due to many factors. Let’s look at this article, which will provide you with the salaries at various levels depending on factors such as the role, experience, and job posting location.
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Factors that Affect the Merchant Navy Salary
Various factors influence the salaries in this career. The different aspects are:-
- Rank- The rank determines the salary of a merchant navy officer. The higher the designation rank, the higher the salary.
- Experience of a candidate- Same with the rank factor, the greater your work experience, the greater your salary. How many years you invested in the job determines the salary that you will bear.
- Type of Ship the Merchant Navy Professionals are working on- The Indian Merchant Navy officers and workers who work on oil tankers and goods container ships are offered higher salaries than those who work on other ship categories.
- Company- The particular company an officer or worker works in can gradually determine their salary. Some companies offer more salary than other companies in the Merchant Navy Field.
A career in the Merchant Navy- Advantages
The merchant navy career is very lucrative owing to the several advantages that come with this career:-
1- Global Travelling Opportunities- One of the most lucrative factors is the option of travelling to various places around the globe.
2- Perks and Benefits along with handsome Merchant Navy Salary- A job in this field has an attractive salary package and financial security. Various perks and benefits, such as medical insurance, paid vacations, travel allowances, and bonuses, are provided to the employees upon review.
3- Career Path– Career promotion Growth in this field is a top-notch feature of this job. Clear paths have been laid down for promotions in the Merchant Navy, from a basic entry-level position to higher ranks and a great Merchant Navy Salary.
4- Job Security- A job in the Merchant Navy comes with secure job security due to the never-ending demand for global trade and the inevitable need for maritime transportation.
5- Diverse Job Roles- The Merchant Navy Offers several roles for individuals with several skills and interests, ranging from engineering roles to navigation roles to logistics and operation roles.
Minimum Age for Merchant Navy- Highest and lowest Salary
The minimum age required for eligibility in the Merchant Navy is between 17.5 years and a maximum of 25 years. The supposedly lowest salary of the Merchant Navy starts from 25 thousand a month to 60 thousand monthly. The highest merchant navy salary can range from 20 to 25 lakh per month, which is the salary of a merchant navy captain. The seaman’s salary can be 8 lakh annually after 10 years of experience.
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Merchant Navy Salary In India- Ranks and Salary Overview
The Merchant Navy Salary varies according to the different ranks, experience factors, and the type of ship that people work on. The salary is quite handsome in the Merchant Navy, making it an excellent choice for individuals looking for adventure, attractive work-life, global travel options, and good money. The only drawback of this field is that it requires its workers to stay away from their homes for quite a time. Sea- sickness could also be an issue for some people.
The Merchant Navy field is divided into three departments – deck, engine(engineering), and catering. Each department has its unique set of ranks and responsibilities. Here are the ranks in the deck and engine departments:
Ranks in the Deck Department
- Captain/ Master Mariner
- Chief Officer
- Second Officer
- Third Officer
- Deck Cadet
Ranks in the Engine department
- Chief Engineer
- Second Engineer
- Third Engineer
- Fourth Engineer
- Engine Cadet
Merchant Navy Salary During the training period
The Merchant Navy’s entry-level salary ranges from 25 thousand to 40 thousand a month. However, this data can vary depending on the company and job designation. Deck Cadets have a salary of 20 to 30 thousand a month during their training period. Once they complete their training period, they are promoted to junior officers or third officers, with their salaries ranging from 40 thousand to 60 thousand a month.
After gaining more experience, the professionals are promoted to higher ranks like Chief Officer or Captain. Their salaries are also increased. The salary of a chief officer can be upto 1.5 lakhs a month. Master Mariner can have a salary of upto 3 lakhs a month.
The type of ship on which the Marine Navy professionals work also significantly determines the salaries. For instance, offshore ships pay more than container ships as the offshore ships work in more challenging environments like the Arctic Ocean or the Antarctica region.
Merchant Navy Salary Structure for Deck Employees
Deck Employees are responsible for the navigation of the ship vessel. They work under the captain to ensure that all ship aspects run smoothly. Their salaries start from 3 lakh per annum to 20 lakhs per annum, depending on the years they served and their designations. The table below discusses their salaries:-
| Rank | Salary( Per Month) |
| Deck Cadet | 20 to 50 thousand |
| Third Officer | 60 thousand to 1 lakh |
| Second Officer | 80 thousand to 1.5 lakh |
| Chief Officer | 2-3 lakh |
Salary for Marine Engineers
Engineers run the technical aspects of a ship. Their work is to maintain and repair all the machinery on board. Engineers’ salaries vary based on rank and experience years, as do all the other employees.
The table below gives an idea of the different salaries at different ranks:-
| Rank | Salary(Per Month) |
| Engine Cadet | 20 thousand to 40 thousand |
| Fourth Engineer | 60 thousand to 1 lakh |
| Third Engineer | 80 thousand to 1.5 lakh |
| Second Engineer | 2 to 3 lakhs |
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Merchant Navy Salary Structure for Senior Positions
After 10 or more years of service in the Merchant Navy, senior positions like Chief Engineer and captain are allotted. Their salaries range from 2 lakh to 4 lakh per month. Some of the top companies in the Merchant Navy Field are Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), Fleet Management Limited, V.Ships, and MTM Ship Management.
