Maritime Salary Guide 2025
Maritime pay is notoriously opaque. Shipping companies rarely publish salary scales, superyacht owners expect discretion, and offshore rates shift with the oil price. This guide aggregates available market data across all major maritime sectors for 2025 — covering officer and rating pay by rank, the factors that push salaries up or down, and how to benchmark what you're being offered.
All figures are approximate monthly gross, based on industry surveys, Manning agency data, and Crew Connect market intelligence. Actual pay varies by nationality, vessel type, company, flag state, and the strength of any collective bargaining agreement in place.
Merchant Navy — Deck Officers
| Rank | Monthly (GBP approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Deck Cadet | £600–£1,200 | Sea phase allowance, varies by sponsor |
| OOW (Deck) | £3,200–£4,800 | Higher end for tankers and LNG |
| Chief Officer | £4,800–£6,500 | Tonnage and vessel type dependent |
| Master | £6,500–£10,000+ | Up to £14,000+ on large LNG or specialist vessels |
Merchant Navy — Engineering Officers
| Rank | Monthly (GBP approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Engine Cadet | £600–£1,200 | Sea phase allowance |
| 4th Engineer | £2,800–£3,800 | |
| 3rd Engineer | £3,200–£4,400 | |
| 2nd Engineer | £4,500–£6,200 | |
| Chief Engineer | £6,500–£11,000+ | Premium for LNG, FPSO, specialist vessels |
Superyacht Sector
Superyacht pay is driven by vessel size and owner expectations rather than industry-wide scales. The figures below reflect market rates for vessels 30–80m. Larger vessels pay considerably more.
| Role | Monthly (USD approx.) |
|---|---|
| Deckhand / Steward(ess) (entry) | $2,500–$3,500 |
| Bosun / Purser | $4,000–$5,500 |
| Chief Steward(ess) | $4,500–$6,500 |
| 1st Officer / Chief Officer | $5,000–$7,500 |
| Chief Engineer (30–60m) | $5,500–$8,000 |
| Captain (30–50m) | $7,000–$12,000 |
| Captain (50m+) | $12,000–$25,000+ |
Superyacht pay is typically in USD and is net (tax arrangements depend on flag state and crew nationality). Tips on charter vessels can add 15–25% to take-home for all crew. Accommodation, food, and travel are included, which significantly increases real-world value versus equivalent shore roles.
Offshore Oil & Gas
Offshore rates are highly volatile and track the oil price. The figures below reflect a mid-cycle market (Brent crude $75–$85/bbl). Day rates are used in the offshore sector — multiply by approximately 15 to get a monthly equivalent for a 2:2 or similar rotation.
| Role | Day rate (GBP) |
|---|---|
| Offshore Medic | £350–£500 |
| DP Operator | £400–£600 |
| Chief Officer (OSV) | £450–£650 |
| Master (OSV/DSV/CSV) | £550–£850 |
| Chief Engineer (OSV) | £500–£750 |
| OIM (Installation Manager) | £700–£1,100 |
Offshore Wind — Workboats & CTVs
The offshore wind sector is driving significant demand for CTV Masters, Marine Engineers, and GWO-trained crew. Rates are growing as the sector expands:
| Role | Annual (GBP approx.) |
|---|---|
| CTV Deckhand / Technician Transfer | £30,000–£40,000 |
| CTV Master / Mate | £45,000–£65,000 |
| SOV Master | £70,000–£95,000 |
Fishing
Fishing pay is typically share-based — a percentage of the catch value distributed among crew — rather than fixed salary. The share percentage varies by vessel, skipper, and agreement:
- Deckhands: typically 8–12% of crew share pool
- Experienced ratings: 12–18%
- Skippers: 25–40% (varies considerably by vessel and agreement)
On a productive vessel in a good season, an experienced deckhand can earn £35,000–£50,000/year. A skipper on a productive pelagic vessel can earn significantly more. The risk is the reverse — poor catches mean poor pay, and seasons vary enormously.
What Pushes Pay Up?
- Tanker and LNG endorsements — advanced tanker certificates add meaningful premium at every rank
- DP certification — DP Unlimited adds value across offshore and some ferry sectors
- Dual-fuel/IGF Code training — in growing demand as the fleet decarbonises
- Willingness to join at short notice — emergency relief commands attract spot premiums
- Strong references — verifiable references from well-regarded operators carry weight in salary negotiations
Tax: The Seafarers' Earnings Deduction
UK seafarers working on internationally trading vessels can claim the Seafarers' Earnings Deduction (SED), which effectively exempts foreign employment income from UK income tax if the 183-day qualifying criterion is met. This means take-home pay is substantially higher than equivalent shore roles at similar gross salary. See our full SED guide for the rules and how to claim.
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