Bosun — short for boatswain — is the highest deck rating on a merchant ship. If the AB is the “hands” on deck, the Bosun is their foreman: leading the team of ABs and ordinary seamen, planning the daily work, and reporting directly to the mate. So it’s no surprise that “how much does a Bosun earn per month?” is a heavily searched question — and the good news is the numbers are clearer than for most ranks.
Minimum Basic Pay for a Bosun: US$771 per Month
The ITF/ILO minimum wage scale (ITF ILO Minimum Wage Scale, Annex 1 to ITF E-Circular 204/S/SS/2025) sets the minimum basic wage for a Bosun at US$771 per month from 1 January 2026 — rising to US$786 from 2027. This is the basic wage, before overtime, leave pay, and allowances.
An honest note: the ILO itself sets a minimum only for the AB (US$690 from 2026). The US$771 Bosun figure is the ITF’s extrapolation from the AB number — but it is the benchmark used by unions and companies worldwide.
For comparison, under the ITF Uniform TCC agreement 2026 (the standard used on many international merchant ships), a Bosun’s basic wage is US$1,031/month with total monthly pay of US$2,164 — including guaranteed overtime, leave pay, and allowances. On the same scale, an AB earns US$923 basic and US$1,950 total. Bottom line: any Bosun offer with a basic wage below US$771 is a red flag — do not sign it.
Bosun Salary by Ship Type (2026 Estimates)
The figures below are estimated total monthly earnings (basic wage + average overtime) based on 2026 market rates. Actual pay varies with the company, trade route, and your experience:
| Ship Type | Estimated per Month | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Offshore (OSV/AHTS/FPSO) | $3,000 – $5,000 | Highest; short contracts, high intensity |
| LNG/LPG carriers | $3,000 – $4,500 | Requires specialist gas certification |
| Tankers (oil/chemical) | $2,800 – $4,200 | Risk allowances common |
| Container ships | $2,500 – $3,500 | Busy routes = big overtime |
| Bulk carriers | $2,300 – $3,200 | The merchant-shipping standard |
| Ro-Ro / general cargo | $2,200 – $3,000 | Mid-range for a senior rating |
| Cruise ships | $2,000 – $2,800 | Plus tips in some positions |
| Domestic Indonesian vessels | IDR 6 – 12 million | Generally below ITF scales |
See the full rank-by-rank comparison in our 2026 seafarer salary guide, or compare with the AB salary breakdown.
Bosun Pay Structure: More Than One Number
Like every other rank, a Bosun’s pay is never a single “monthly salary” figure. Its components:
- Basic wage — the base pay, minimum US$771 (2026).
- Overtime — hourly overtime pay; Bosuns often log heavy overtime hours supervising deck work.
- Leave pay — compensation for leave days accrued during the contract.
- Responsibility/risk allowances — e.g. tanker allowances or rank allowances at some companies.
Example: an offer of $1,800 all-in is different from $1,800 basic + overtime. The second can pay out far more in total. Always get the full pay breakdown in writing before signing the contract.
How to Become a Bosun: No Shortcuts
Bosun is not an entry-level job — it is a rank appointed by the company once an AB has proven they can lead. Typical requirements:
- At least 36 months of sea service as an AB (many companies prefer 4–6 years of experience).
- STCW II/5 certificate (Able Seafarer Deck).
- Advanced Fire Fighting and Medical First Aid.
- Risk assessment / permit-to-work training — the Bosun runs the deck permit system.
- Working English (some companies require a Marlins/CES score of at least 60%).
- Leadership experience — the key difference between a Bosun and an AB: the ability to run a team, not just technical skill.
Career paths after Bosun: study for an officer certificate (STCW II/1, Officer of the Watch) and move to the bridge — or go ashore as a port operations supervisor, marine surveyor, or terminal foreman.
4 Factors That Make Bosun Pay Vary
- Ship type and trade. Offshore and gas carriers pay the most because of the risk and extra certification required.
- Flag and CBA. Ships under ITF/IBF collective bargaining agreements generally pay above the minimum — the ITF Uniform TCC scale puts a Bosun’s total at US$2,164/month.
- Experience and leadership record. A senior Bosun with a track record of running large deck teams on big ships commands the highest bargaining power among ratings.
- Company and crewing agent. Large international operators tend to follow ITF scales; small domestic vessels often pay below them.
How to Check Whether Your Offer Is Fair
- Compare against the ITF/ILO minimum: a Bosun basic wage below US$771/month is not acceptable.
- Get it in writing: basic wage, overtime rate per hour, leave pay, and allowances must all appear in the Seafarer Employment Agreement.
- Watch for vague deductions: a contract allowing one-sided deductions with no clear mechanism is a danger sign.
- Check the ship’s flag: understand what flag states and flags of convenience mean for you before you sign on.
Get your CV ready before applying: read our guide to writing a seafarer CV that crewing agencies notice.
Sources: ITF ILO Minimum Wage Scale (Annex 1, ITF E-Circular 204/S/SS/2025) — Bosun US$771 basic 2026; ITF Uniform TCC 2026 — Bosun basic US$1,031, total US$2,164; ILO/ICS — AB minimum US$690 (2026), US$704 (2027), US$715 (2028); 2026 market rates by ship type — jobmarineman.com.
