Oiler is the engine-department rating — the engineers’ right hand in the engine room. While ABs work on deck, the Oiler keeps the ship’s machinery running: lubrication, routine maintenance, and assisting with repairs. If you hold an engine rating certificate, here is the Oiler salary breakdown per month for 2026.
Minimum Basic Pay for an Oiler: US$690 per Month
Like ABs, Oilers are covered by the International Labour Organization (ILO) global minimum wage of US$690 per month from 2026. This is the basic wage — before overtime and allowances. Any Oiler offer with a basic wage below US$690 is a red flag.
Oiler Salary by Ship Type (2026 Estimates)
The figures below are estimated total monthly earnings (basic wage + average overtime):
| Ship Type | Estimated per Month | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tankers (oil/chemical/gas) | $1,300 – $1,800 | Highest among engine ratings |
| Container ships | $1,200 – $1,700 | Big overtime on busy routes |
| Bulk carriers | $1,200 – $1,600 | ITF/IBF scales sit in this range |
| Cruise ships | $900 – $1,400 | Plus tips in some positions |
| Offshore (OSV/AHTS) | $1,600 – $2,200 | Short contracts, high intensity |
| Domestic Indonesian vessels | IDR 4 – 7 million | Generally below ITF scales |
Compare with the deck department in our Able Seaman salary breakdown for 2026.
Oiler Pay Structure
- Basic wage — the base pay, minimum US$690 (2026).
- Overtime — hourly overtime; overhauls and dry-docking can multiply overtime hours.
- Leave pay — compensation for leave days accrued during the contract.
- Bonuses/allowances — tanker allowances or end-of-contract bonuses at some companies.
Always get the full pay breakdown in writing before signing — never judge an offer by a single “monthly salary” figure.
4 Factors That Make Oiler Pay Vary
- Ship type. Tankers and offshore pay more because of machinery complexity and risk.
- Flag and CBA. Ships under ITF/IBF agreements generally pay above the ILO minimum.
- Experience and certificates. An experienced Oiler with extra tickets (e.g. welding) has stronger bargaining power.
- 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 ILO minimum: a basic wage below US$690/month is not acceptable.
- Get it in writing: basic wage, overtime rate per hour, leave pay, and bonuses 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: ILO — global minimum seafarer wage 2026 (US$690/month); ITF/IBF — merchant-ship rating wage scales; 2026 crewing-market estimates.
