Merchant Navy Salary in India: Best-Paying Job Profiles

“The Navy is much more than a job; much more than service to the country. It is a way of life. It gets in your blood.” – Albert F Pratt

The Merchant Navy is a lucrative career path that offers high salaries and the opportunity to travel the world. However, the salary of a merchant navy officer can vary depending on a number of factors, including their experience, rank, and the type of ship they work on. In this blog post, we will take a look at the average merchant navy salary in India and the factors that affect it.

We will also discuss how to increase your merchant navy salary and what to expect with a merchant navy career. Some factors that affect merchant navy’s salary are listed below:

1. Rank: Merchant navy officers are paid according to their rank. The higher the rank, the higher the salary.
2. Experience: Merchant navy officers with more experience are paid more than those with less experience.
3. Type of ship: Merchant navy officers who work on certain types of ships, such as oil tankers and container ships, are paid more than those who work on other types of ships.
4. Company: The company that a merchant navy officer works for can also affect their salary. Some companies pay more than others.

A merchant navy career can be very rewarding. Merchant navy officers earn good salaries and have the opportunity to travel the world and experience different cultures. However, it is important to note that a merchant navy career can also be challenging. Merchant navy officers often have to work long hours and spend long periods of time away from their families.

Overall, a merchant navy career is a great option for people looking for a challenging and rewarding career with high earning potential.

Merchant Navy Freshers Salary

The average merchant navy salary in India is ₹37 LPA, while merchant navy starting salary in India is around ₹7.2 LPA. With proper experience and training, the salary of a merchant navy officer can even go up to ₹1 crore and above.

Merchant Navy Job Profile

Let’s go through the job profile and the merchant navy salary applicable for each position:

Job Profile	Job Description	Average Salary (in INR)
Deck Cadet	Deck cadets oversee responsibilities like maintaining ships, making life-saving essentials available on the ship, driving the ship, etc.	Rs. 2.2 LPA
Chief Officer	Cargo loading, cargo unloading, undertaking navigation watch duty, managing other cargo operations, and other responsibilities are assigned to the Chief Officer.	Rs. 17 LPA
Captain	A captain in command of the entire ship. Any legal issues that arise during maritime operations are to be handled by the captain.	Rs. 32 LPA
Maritime engineers	Maritime engineers look after the maintenance work of the ship. They also maintain the operational efficiency of the maritime equipment.	Rs. 7 LPA
Catering and Hospitality Crew	The catering and hospitality crew members handle the catering department. They are also responsible for taking care of the guests by handling their food and beverage requirements.	Rs. 11 LPA

Salary Source: Ambitionbox, Glassdoor

Merchant Navy Salary in India for All Ranks

The merchant navy salary in India for all ranks is explained in the below table:

Rank	Minimum Educational Qualification	Merchant Navy Salary (Yearly)
Deck Cadet	Class 12th and Pre-sea Diploma in Nautical Science	Rs. 2.2 LPA
Captain	Master Certificate of Completion	Rs. 32 LPA
Chief Officer Post	First Mate Certification Completion	Rs. 17 LPA
GP Rating Post	Class 10th	Rs. 6 LPA
2nd or 3rd Officer Post	Second Mate Certification Completion	Rs. 5 LPA

Merchant Navy Salary After 12th

After completing high school, one can select from a variety of courses that will ensure a respectable merchant navy salary. Those who are interested in joining the merchant navy after graduation are trained to perform crucial tasks like daily environmental monitoring, ship maintenance, and upkeep of fire-fighting and life-saving equipment. In addition to these, they also have other responsibilities at the port.

After passing their Class 12 exams, candidates who want to join the merchant navy must meet specific qualifying requirements, which are outlined below.

• Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA (CGPA) of 60% in the required subjects of Physics, Chemistry, English, and Mathematics.
• Applicants must not be older than 17 to 25 years old when the course officially starts.
• The Pre-Sea Nautical Diploma program prepares students for the roles of Trainee Cadet and Deck Cadet.
• After obtaining significant years of experience and acquiring new abilities and information, there is a gradual salary increase following the 12th grade.

Below is a list of the courses and salaries one can enrol in to get a good Merchant Navy salary in India following their 12th-grade year:

Degree	Expected Salary
BSc Nautical Science	INR 7 LPA
BTech Marine Engineering	INR 7 LPA
BTech Naval Architecture and Offshore Engineering	INR 5 LPA
BTech Harbour & Ocean Engineering	INR 5 LPA
BBA Shipping	INR 2.2 LPA
Electro-Technical Officer Course	INR 14 LPA
Commercial Diving	INR 9 LPA
MBA Shipping and Logistics Management	INR 6LPA

Also Read:
Career Options after 12th Non Medical

Merchant Navy Officer Salary After 10th

Students who have passed the Class 10 board exam with a minimum cumulative score of 45% are eligible to enrol in the GP Rating course by completing an application and showing up for a series of assessments that assess both physical and mental aptitude.

• This six-month General-Purpose Rating pre-sea training primarily prepares cadets for the roles of Engine Rating and Deck Rating.
• The minimum and maximum ages to enrol in the training program are 17 and 25, respectively.
• Candidates can begin working as Engine or Deck crew after completing the GP rating training.

Explore about:
Top Competitive Exams After 10th Grade for Students
Diploma Courses After 10th for All Streams

Merchant Navy 2nd Officer Salary

The merchant navy salary for 2nd officers tends to increase as the candidates move up and gain experience. The details regarding the merchant navy salary for a 2nd officer are explained in the following points:

• 2nd officers control the navigation of ships through radar, GPS, and other technologies. Their duties include monitoring daily weather reports and listening to weather broadcasts.
• These officers are also selected for a training program in which they need to study at a college offering nautical courses and gain practical experience.
• After going through these procedures, they are bestowed with an MCA (Maritime and Coastguard Agency) Certificate. The officers who have higher education credentials may be exempt from going through these stages of training.
• Their average yearly salary for 2^nd officer based on their experience is given in the below table:

Experience	Average Annual Salary (in Rs.)
0 to 4 years	17,00,000
5 to 10 years	36,00,000

Merchant Navy 3rd Officer Salary

The merchant navy salary for a 3rd officer varies as per the shipping company and type of ships on which they work. Some important details regarding their salary are explained below.

• Their key duties include taking care of the crew and monitoring whether they fulfil their responsibilities. They also need to take care of the fuel, machinery, and equipment used on the ships, technical operations, etc.
• After completing the training period, they get an MCA certificate. The training mostly happens during their duty.
• Acquiring further MCA qualifications and gaining practical experience can increase their merchant navy officer salary gradually. They are bestowed with better job opportunities and senior roles after acquiring these certifications.

The average monthly salary of a 3rd officer according to their experience, is detailed below:

Experience	Average Annual Salary (in Rs.)
0 to 4 years	13,00,000
5 to 10 years	21,00,000
More than 10 years	36,00,000

Company-Wise Salary for Merchant Navy

Numerous renowned merchant navy companies have headquarters in India, and they frequently hire both experienced and recent graduates for a variety of professions. Top merchant navy enterprises in India include ESSAR SHIPPING LTD, ABG SHIPYARD, MERCATOR LTD, and others.

The average salary for different shipping companies operating in India is shown below.

Company Name	Average Salary (INR))
ESSAR SHIPPING LTD	13 LPA
Anglo-Eastern Ship Management	4 LPA
Fleet Management	10 LPA
BHARTI DEFENCE AND INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED	12 LPA
THE SHIPPING CORPORATION OF INDIA LTD	7 LPA

 Source: Ambition Box

Key Takeaways

Officers in the merchant navy are paid differently depending on the work they accomplish. They tour the world, handle cargo, keep an eye on ship direction, fix the ship, clean the ship, discover new cultures, etc. in their everyday routines.

The movement of people or products is managed by the merchant navy, a non-combatant organization. So, as a merchant navy officer, it will be your responsibility to see to it that the people and/or goods aboard the ships you command are delivered safely.

Based on a candidate’s educational background, the Merchant Navy offers a variety of profiles.

Evaluate numerous career choices to choose the right career path for yourself. Dive into our guide on career advice.

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