One of the most common questions from aspiring seafarers: how much do seafarers earn today? The answer varies — by rank, ship type, and company. But there is good news: as of 1 January 2026, the global minimum wage for seafarers officially increased.
This article summarizes 2026 seafarer salaries by rank (deck, engine, catering), in US dollars and Indonesian rupiah, based on Indonesian crewing agency data and international vacancy statistics as of September 2026.
2026 Global Minimum: US$690 per Month
On 14–15 April 2025, negotiations in Geneva between shipowner and seafarer representatives — coordinated by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) under the International Labour Organization (ILO) — agreed a new global minimum wage for seafarers:
- US$690 per month from 1 January 2026
- US$704 per month from 1 January 2027
- US$715 per month from 1 January 2028
Previously the minimum was US$673 (since January 2025) — a rise of more than 6% over three years. Shipping is the only industry in the world with a formally recognized global minimum wage — in place since 1958 and mandated by the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006.
What this means for you: an Able Seaman’s (AB) basic wage must not fall below US$690 per month. Any offer below that figure is a red flag.
2026 Seafarer Salaries by Rank
The figures below are estimated monthly ranges from Indonesian crewing agency data (2026) and average international vacancy offers as of September 2026. Exchange rate used: US$1 = Rp16,000 (rupiah figures rounded).
Deck Department
| Rank | Range (USD) | Est. Rupiah | Avg. Offer* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master / Captain | $6,000 – $12,000 | Rp96 – 192 million | $9,852 (bulk carrier) |
| Chief Officer | $4,000 – $7,500 | Rp64 – 120 million | – |
| Second Officer | $2,500 – $4,500 | Rp40 – 72 million | $4,351 (oil products tanker) |
| Third Officer | $2,000 – $3,500 | Rp32 – 56 million | $3,314 (bulk carrier) |
| Bosun | $1,500 – $2,500 | Rp24 – 40 million | – |
| AB (Able Seaman) | $1,000 – $2,000 | Rp16 – 32 million | – |
| OS (Ordinary Seaman) | $800 – $1,500 | Rp12.8 – 24 million | $1,461 (bulk carrier) |
| Deck Cadet | – | – | $625 |
Engine Department
| Rank | Range (USD) | Est. Rupiah | Avg. Offer* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chief Engineer | $6,000 – $11,000 | Rp96 – 176 million | – |
| Second Engineer | $4,000 – $7,000 | Rp64 – 112 million | – |
| Third Engineer | $2,500 – $4,000 | Rp40 – 64 million | – |
| Fourth Engineer | $2,000 – $3,500 | Rp32 – 56 million | – |
| Fitter | $1,500 – $2,500 | Rp24 – 40 million | – |
| Oiler | $1,000 – $1,800 | Rp16 – 28.8 million | – |
| Engine Cadet | – | – | $612 |
Catering Department
| Rank | Avg. Offer* | Est. Rupiah |
|---|---|---|
| Messman | $1,376 | ± Rp22 million |
*Avg. offer = average salary offered in international vacancies as of September 2026 (source: Maritime Zone). Range column = Indonesian crewing agency estimates (source: HelloCrew).
Factors Affecting Seafarer Salaries
Why are the ranges so wide? These are the factors:
- Ship type. Tankers (oil/gas/LNG) generally pay the most because of higher risk. Vacancy data shows Masters on LPG tankers reaching $16,000/month, and on LNG tankers/VLCCs up to $20,579/month. General cargo and bulk carriers tend toward the lower end.
- Flag & company. Ships under ITF/IBF agreements usually follow pay scales higher than the ILO minimum.
- Experience and certificates. The more complete your certificates (e.g. tanker endorsements) and the longer your experience on the same ship type, the stronger your bargaining position.
- Trading route. Voyages to high-risk (war) zones usually come with additional bonuses.
Basic vs All-In Wage: Don’t Get Confused
This is the most misunderstood part. The salary figure in a contract can be written two ways:
- Basic wage + overtime (calculated hourly) + leave allowances. Total monthly take-home can be much larger than the basic wage.
- Consolidated / all-in wage — one figure covering everything. No separate overtime.
Example: an AB offer of $1,200 all-in is different from $1,200 basic + overtime. The second can yield a far larger total. That’s why you should always ask for the written salary breakdown before signing — don’t fixate on a single number.
How to Judge Whether an Offer Is Fair
- Compare against the ILO minimum: AB basic wage at least $690/month (2026). Below that = not fair.
- Ask for it in writing: basic wage, overtime rate per hour, leave pay, and bonuses — all must appear in the contract (Seafarer Employment Agreement).
- Compare with the tables above for similar ranks and ship types.
- Watch for unclear deductions: a contract allowing the company to deduct wages unilaterally without a clear mechanism is a danger sign.
- Watch for offers far below market — especially if combined with upfront fees.
Conclusion
Seafarer pay in 2026 generally rose with the ILO global minimum wage increase to $690/month. Realistic ranges for Indonesian ratings on foreign ships are $800–$2,000/month, officers $2,000–$7,500/month, and top management $6,000–$12,000/month — with tanker/LNG ships at the top end. What matters most is not just the number, but a salary structure clearly written into the contract.
Sources
- Marine Insight — Global Minimum Wage for Seafarers Increased in New 3-Year Agreement (ILO 2026–2028 minimum wage agreement)
- gCaptain — Under New Agreement, Global Seafarer Minimum Wage Set to Rise to $690 Per Month by 2026
- Maritime Zone — Salary Statistics September 2026 (average vacancy offers by rank & ship type)
- HelloCrew — 2026 Seafarer Salary List (Indonesian crewing agency estimates)
