Home » Career Guidance » 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:
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.
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.
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
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 |
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.
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
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.
Explore about:
Top Competitive Exams After 10th Grade for Students
Diploma Courses After 10th for All Streams
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:
Experience | Average Annual Salary (in Rs.) |
0 to 4 years | 17,00,000 |
5 to 10 years | 36,00,000 |
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.
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 |
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
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.
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.
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.
An officer in the Merchant Navy typically makes between Rs. 40,000 and Rs. 90,000 per month. The greatest compensation could range between 8 and 20 lakhs.
Merchant navy jobs for fresher’s salaries will vary from Rs. 12000 to Rs. 8 lakhs per month. All crew members, officers, and senior officers will have access to free meals on board.
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Chegg India does not ask for money to offer any opportunity with the company. We request you to be vigilant before sharing your personal and financial information with any third party. Beware of fraudulent activities claiming affiliation with our company and promising monetary rewards or benefits. Chegg India shall not be responsible for any losses resulting from such activities.