Merchant Navy Salary in India: All Ranks, After 10th, 12th

March 11, 2024
merchant navy salary

Quick Summary

  • A Merchant Navy Officer earns a lucrative salary, making it one of the best career options for students interested in a different career path.
  • The starting salary for a merchant navy officer in India is around ₹7.2 LPA while the highest merchant navy officer salary in India is ₹37 LPA.
  • The salary of a merchant navy officer might differ as per their rank and experience.

Table of Contents

“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, merchant navy salary in India 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, merchant navy salary per month, and the factors that affect it.

We will also discuss how to increase your salary as a merchant navy officer and what to expect further in your career in merchant navy. These factors may affect their salary-

  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 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 because it would require you to work long hours and spend long periods of time away from family.

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

Merchant Navy Fresher Salary

Merchant Navy Salary in India, merchant navy starting salary

The starting salary for a merchant navy officer in India is around ₹7.2 LPA while the highest merchant navy officer salary in India is ₹37 LPA.

Merchant Navy All Ranks Salary

merchant navy all ranks salary

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

Rank Minimum Educational Qualification

Salary Range (Annual)

Deck Cadet

Class 12 and Pre-sea Diploma in Nautical Science

0.2 to 7 Lakhs

Captain

Master Certificate of Completion

2.2 to 15 Lakhs

Chief Officer Post

First Mate Certification Completion

9 to 50 Lakhs

GP Rating Post

Class 10

7.20 Lakhs

2nd & 3rd Officer

Second Mate Certification Completion

3.5 to 8 Lakhs

Salary Source: Ambitionbox

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 these specific qualifying requirements given 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 Trainee Cadet and Deck Cadet roles.
  • 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 one can enrol in to become a merchant navy officer and earn a good salary in India following their 12th-grade:

DegreeExpected Salary
BSc Nautical ScienceINR 7 LPA
BTech Marine EngineeringINR 7 LPA
BTech Naval Architecture and Offshore EngineeringINR 5 LPA
BTech Harbour & Ocean EngineeringINR 5 LPA
BBA ShippingINR 2.2 LPA
Electro-Technical Officer CourseINR 14 LPA
Commercial DivingINR 9 LPA
MBA Shipping and Logistics ManagementINR 6LPA

Also Read:
Career Options after 12th Non-Medical

Merchant Navy Job Profile

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

Job Profile                                      Job Description
Deck CadetMaintaining ships, making life-saving essentials available on the ship, driving the ship, etc.
Chief OfficerCargo loading, cargo unloading, undertaking navigation watch duty, managing other cargo operations, etc.
CaptainA captain is in command of the entire ship and will handle any legal issues that arise during maritime operations.
Maritime engineersSupervise the maintenance work of the ship and the operational efficiency of the maritime equipment.
Catering and Hospitality CrewHandle the catering department. Also responsible for taking care of the guests and their food and beverage requirements.

Salary Source: Ambitionbox, Glassdoor

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

A Part-time Job that Pays like Full-time

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 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 with higher education credentials may be exempted from going through these stages of training.

Their average yearly salary for 2nd officer based on their experience is given in the table below:

ExperienceAverage Annual Salary (₹)
0 to 4 years17 Lakhs
5 to 10 years36 Lakhs

Merchant Navy 3rd Officer Salary

The 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 gradually increase their merchant navy officer salary. After acquiring these certifications, they are bestowed with better job opportunities and senior roles.

The average 3rd officer salary in merchant navy, according to experience, is detailed below:

ExperienceAverage Annual Salary (₹)
0 to 4 years13 Lakhs
5 to 10 years21 Lakhs
More than 10 years36 Lakhs

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

Estimated 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Merchant Navy has highest salary?

The position of Captain has the highest pay in the Merchant Navy, with salaries varying from Rs. 8,65,000 to Rs. 20,00,000 a month.

Is Merchant Navy a permanent job?

Most individuals hired to work on ships adhere to a contract. Employment Nature: Contractual, Permanent In a career as a merchant navy officer, one either works on contractual salary or round-the-year salary.

What is the salary of Merchant Navy in India per month?

The salary of a Merchant Navy Officer in India ranges between Rs. 40,000 and Rs. 90,000 per month. A Merchant Navy officer with relevant experience can earn up to Rs.20 lakhs annually as their compensation usually increases with rank.

What is the salary of freshers in Merchant Navy?

Merchant navy jobs for fresher’s salaries will vary from Rs. 12000 to Rs. 8 lakhs per month. Also, all crew members, officers, and senior officers have access to free meals on board.

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