Have you ever wondered what some of the top paying seafarer jobs are? If you’re considering a career in jobs at sea, are wondering what some examples of maritime jobs are, or are starting to look for entry level cargo ship jobs it’s only natural to wonder what level of pay you can expect.
And in the shipping industry, as with any industry, maritime job salary levels will normally be directly related to an seafarer's relevant education or training, your skill sets and your age and experience.
A career at sea is one in which you will work your way up the ladder of seafarer ranks and up the hierarchy.
Read more: Your Guide to Seafarer Jobs & Joining the Merchant Navy
Entry level cargo ship jobs such as Deck Cadet, Oiler, Wiper, Deckhand, Trainee Ordinary Seaman, and Ordinary Seaman, are of course lower paid than Chief Engineer jobs, Bosun jobs, ship’s Officer jobs, and of course the ship’s Master.
Read more: Everything You Need to Know About Bosun Jobs
But that doesn’t mean you should be discouraged. Maritime jobs come in all shapes and sizes and one of the most satisfying things about working in jobs at sea is working your way up to achieve more experience, certifications - and of course pay!
What you need to know if you want a maritime career in the best paying seafarer jobs
For younger crew members taking their first steps on the career ladder it would be unrealistic to expect a top level salary.
But whether you’re looking for entry level cargo ship jobs with the aim of turning your first position into a high flying career to build up your seaman resume, or you are wondering which areas of the shipping industry you should be studying or training for to eventually reach a top flight maritime jobs salary, you might be interested in knowing what the top paying seafarer jobs are.
Read more:12 Things To Know Before Choosing a Career in Seafarer Jobs
There’s certainly no shame in considering salary as a factor when considering maritime jobs and career pathways. After all, most of the cargo ship jobs on a vessel can be physically and mentally demanding.
And let's be honest, very few of us are willing to work for peanuts!
The good news is that among the many maritime jobs to choose from, there are plenty that offer generous compensation, and working in shipping will also allow you to build a career that offers non-financial rewards in the form of fullfilment, job satisfaction and the opportunity to travel the world.
So, what are some examples of maritime jobs that pay a great wage that you can work your way towards?
The first job that might spring to mind when thinking about jobs you’d like to eventually be able to add to your resume for a seaman is that of the Captain (also known as the Master) of a vessel.
It’s a seafarer job that is seen by many as one that comes with a high salary and enviable lifestyle. (As well as a LOT of responsibility and pressure!)
But there are plenty of other seafarer ranks with a very decent maritime jobs salary that will provide for a comfortable standard of living.
But before you can add Master or Chief Engineer to your seaman resume, you first need to know about seafarer training.
Seafarer training for jobs at sea
Seafarers need training to build a successful maritime career because the industry demands a high level of technical knowledge, safety awareness, and practical skills to navigate complex vessels and challenging ocean conditions.
Proper training ensures that you are well-versed in international maritime regulations, emergency procedures, and specialized operations such as cargo handling, navigation, and engine maintenance, depending on your rank.
Additionally, structured training programs help develop leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, which are essential for career progression. With rapid advancements in technology and stricter environmental and safety regulations, continuous training is crucial for staying competitive and ensuring the safe and efficient operation of maritime vessels.
Now let’s take a closer look at some of the seafarer jobs that will eventually pay you a very good salary.
High paying maritime jobs: Chief Engineer
If you have a leaning towards the technical side of things, you could consider training to become a ship’s engineer.
Again, you will work your way up through the seafarer ranks to become a Third Engineer, Second Engineer, and subsequently, a Chief Engineer.
In a nutshell the Chief Engineer of a vessel is the big boss of the technical department.
Read more: Everything You Need to Know About Chief Marine Engineer Jobs
This position’s duties include making sure that the machinery in the engine room is in correct working order to facilitate a trouble-free voyage. It’s one of the jobs at sea that comes with great responsibility, but for the right person and someone who is willing to work their way up the engineering chain it could be a great career choice.
To work as a Chief Marine Engineer you will need to be educated to degree level and will also need to hold the certifications and qualifications that are relevant both to the maritime industry and to that seafarer rank.
Typical maritime career progression in the engineering department
| Rank | Notes |
| Engine Cadet | Entry-level position for trainees who gain practical experience while studying for their engineering licenses. |
| Junior Engineer / Trainee Engineer | Assists senior engineers in routine maintenance and learns onboard operations. |
| Fourth Engineer | Responsible for the operation and maintenance of auxiliary machinery such as generators, purifiers, and air compressors. |
| Third Engineer | Manages the boiler systems, fuel systems, and other essential machinery, often responsible for daily maintenance and monitoring. |
| Second Engineer / First Assistant Engineer | The chief assistant to the Chief Engineer, responsible for overseeing the engine room operations, maintenance planning, and supervising junior engineers. |
| Chief Engineer | The head of the engineering department, responsible for all technical operations, machinery maintenance, and overall engine room management to ensure the vessel operates safely and efficiently. |
Seafarers advance through these ranks based on experience, training, and certification requirements set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and their respective national maritime authorities.
Top paying seafarer jobs: Chief Officer
As we've already mentioned, a maritime job's salary will vary from rank to rank and will depend on your experience, ability and on you having the right qualifications.
And another top paying seafarer job that you might want to work your way towards listing on your resume for a seaman is that of Chief Officer. (You may also hear the Chief Officer sometimes called First Officer, Chief Mate or First Mate.)
Whatever their title, the Chief Officer is second in command to the ship’s Master and will assume control in the latter’s absence - for example if the Master falls ill or is otherwise unavailable. Their responsibilities include supervising the deck crew and safeguarding the ship’s cargo operations.
The vessel’s security and safety also fall to the Chief Officer as do standing navigation watches and the welfare of the crew on board. Training Deck Cadets and crew alike on crucial aspects of life on board a ship such as search and rescue, general safety and firefighting is also in their remit.
The position also comes with a fair amount of administrative work.
Read more:Everything You Need to Know About Chief Officer Jobs
To work your way up to Chief Officer you will first need to train to become a Deck Officer.
Training will include studying subjects such as navigation, becoming familiar with different types of vessels (tankers, heavy load carriers, bulk carriers, ro-ro ships, cargo ships etc.), first aid, firefighting, rules and regulations, and personal survival and safety.
These will be studied ashore and you may also undergo training at sea by becoming a Deck Cadet and shadowing an experienced officer onboard. From then on, you will gain more experience and sea time and start to work your way up.
Typical maritime career progression in the deck department
In the deck department on a cargo ship, seafarers typically progress through the following ranks in order. Again, names of ranks may vary according to the shipping company:
| Rank | Notes |
| Deck Cadet | An entry-level trainee who undergoes practical training onboard while studying for a license to become an officer. |
| Ordinary Seaman (OS) | A junior crew member who assists in basic deck duties such as maintenance, cleaning, and watchkeeping under supervision. |
| Able Seaman (AB) | A more experienced deck crew member responsible for assisting with navigation, cargo handling, and maintenance, often standing watch as a lookout or helmsman. |
| Third Officer / Third Mate | The most junior officer, typically responsible for safety equipment, lifesaving appliances, and maintaining navigational watch. |
| Second Officer / Second Mate | Primarily responsible for voyage planning, navigation, and updating charts and publications, in addition to standing watch. |
| Chief Officer / Chief Mate | The second-in-command of the deck department, responsible for cargo operations, crew management, and assisting the Captain in overall vessel operations. |
| Captain / Master | The highest-ranking officer on the vessel, responsible for all aspects of ship operations, including navigation, safety, cargo, crew management, and compliance with maritime laws. |
As with the Engineering Department, seafarers advance through these ranks by gaining sea time, completing required training and certifications, and passing exams set by maritime authorities in accordance with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).
The top maritime job: the ship's Master
Meanwhile, those who have their sights set on the top seafarer job and, indeed, on one of the top paying jobs at sea, might want to look at the requirements for seamen and women who want to eventually make the grade of ship's Master.
This high-grade licensed mariner has ultimate responsibility of, and command over, a vessel. The ship’s Master earns their generous salary by assuming accountability for the efficient operation of their ship and the safety of its crew and cargo.
Read more: Everything You Need to Know About Ship's Master Jobs
What does this entail? Everything from the vessel’s safe navigation, her security and seaworthiness, the cargo operations, overall management of the crew and even legal compliance.
As you can see from the Deck Department maritime career progression table above, the Master of a vessel will normally have worked their way up through the ranks before becoming a Second then First (or Chief) Officer (or Mate) before becoming commander of a ship.
A note about maritime career salaries
For those of you who are reading this and wondering just exactly how much a ship’s Captain earns, or what the average salary is for a Chief Officer on a cargo ship, we’ve deliberately npt quoted any figures.
This is because salaries for maritime jobs vary wildly depending on a number of factors, such as:
- The country you are working in or are a national of and the pay grades in that country.
- The type of vessel (the salary of a Chief Officer on a passenger ferry is likely to be considerably less than that of a Chief Officer job on an oil tanker, for example.)
- Your own experience, sea time and whether or not you have additional skills that will be valuable to that vessel (i.e. you have worked with heavy lifting equipment or excavators.)
- The company you work for - just like jobs on land, different companies offer different rates of pay and benefits.
Therefore, if it’s facts and figures you’re looking for, we highly suggest that you do some research in your own country.
Martide helps you find entry level cargo ship jobs and more
It doesn’t matter whether you’re a Junior Electrician, Able Seaman, Chief Cook, Second Engineer, or Shipfitter - we’re always recruiting for all different seafarer ranks and levels of experience.
If you’re already a qualified seaman and you’re looking for seafarer jobs or contracts in the maritime industry register an account with Martide today.
We’ve helped everyone from new recruits to old sea hands find their next job at sea and we’ve a number of exciting positions to fill for all experience levels.
Plus for anytime, anywhere access and to make your search for seafarer jobs easier, especially when you’re on the go, download our free mobile app either from Google Play or the Apple Store today!
This post was originally published on May 8th 2019 and last updated on March 4th 2025
Eve Church
Eve is Martide's content writer, publishing regular posts on everything from our maritime recruitment and crew planning software to life at sea. Eve has been writing professionally for more than two decades, crafting everything from SEO-focused blog posts and website landing pages to magazine articles and corporate whitepapers.
UK
