Salary Guide

What maritime work
actually pays.

Pay by rank and vessel type, day rate vs monthly salary, and what moves the needle beyond the headline number.

§Pay By Rank

Monthly salary ranges across all ranks

RankTypical range (USD/month)Notes
Master$7,000 – $14,000+Vessel size and sector are the biggest variables
Chief Engineer$6,000 – $12,500Tanker and dredger roles trend toward the top
Chief Officer$5,000 – $9,000Cargo handling responsibility adds a premium
2nd / 3rd Officer$3,000 – $6,500Tanker and offshore endorsements push pay higher
ETO / Electrical Engineer$4,700 – $7,500High demand on DP2/DP3 vessels
2nd / 3rd / 4th Engineer$2,530 – $6,500Self-discharging bulk carriers often pay a bonus
DPO$6,000 – $7,500Day rate equivalent: $200–250/day
Able Seaman (AB)$1,800 – $4,500Tanker and offshore AB roles pay more than cargo
Ratings (OS, Oiler, Cook)$900 – $2,500Entry-level; varies by vessel type
§What Moves Pay

Three factors that shift pay beyond the headline

Vessel Type

Tanker & offshore premium

Tanker and offshore support roles pay a premium over general cargo for the same rank, reflecting stricter certification requirements and hazardous operations.

Endorsements

Certification unlocks higher tiers

DP Unlimited, Advanced Tanker, Towing and ROV endorsements each unlock a higher pay tier within the same rank category.

Contract Structure

Day rate vs monthly

Offshore day-rate roles can earn more per day worked but income stops between rotations. Monthly salary contracts pay consistently across the contract duration.

See real pay on current openings

Every listing shows the actual day rate or monthly salary — no guesswork.