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Did you know that seafarers are one of the highest paid workers in the world? Their job is not easy but a lot of people in the Philippines want to be seafarers because of the salary and the opportunity to travel abroad. However, not all seafarers have the same salary because it depends on the company and their rank. Their job positions and responsibilities on the ship affect how much salary they receive from the company.
As of August 2025, seafarers in the Philippines earn around PHP 188 per hour, or PHP 2,346 per day. Their average monthly salary is PHP 47,168.
SEAFARER’S SALARY AT DIFFERENT COMPANIES IN MANILA, PHILIPPINES
| List of companies in the Philippines | Salary per month |
| Marlow Navigation | Php 20,000 |
| Southeast Asia Shipping Corporation (AB) | Php 25,000 |
| Kestrel Shipping Inc. (AB) | Php 50,000 |
| TORM | Php 58,000 |
| United Philippine Lines | Php 60,000 |
SEAFARER’S SALARY IN INTERNATIONAL SHIPS
The salary of a seafarer on international ships depends on rank, experience, and what type of ship they will be working on.
SEAFARER’S SALARY ON TANKER SHIPS
A tanker ship is a type of vessel that delivers large quantities of liquid cargo to other countries. There are different types of tanker ships, and they are based on the cargo they carry. Oil tankers carry crude oil or products made from oil. While gas tankers deliver LPG, LNG, or liquefied chemical gases in bulk. Chemical and product tankers transport chemicals and various types of liquid products in bulk. On the other hand, VLCC or Very Large Crude Carrier is a tanker ship for delivering crude oil.
All amounts are in US Dollars (USD).
| Rank | Product Tanker | Chemical | VLCC | LPG/LNG |
| Master | $11,500 – $12,500 | $12,000 – $14,000 | $8,488 – $14,067 | $12,800 -$15,400 |
| Chief Mate | $8,000 – $11,500 | $10,500 – $11,444 | $8,000 – $11,062 | $10,900 -$12,000 |
| 2nd Mate | $4,000 – $4,800 | $4,500 | $4,000 – $4,800 | $4,760 – $5,250 |
| 3rd Mate | $3,300 – $3,800 | $3,500 – $4,420 | $3,100 – $3,800 | $3,500 – $4,500 |
| Chief Engineer | $11,200 – $12,000 | $12,800 – $13,880 | $10,500 – $13,200 | $12,300 -$15,141 |
| 2nd Engineer | $8,000 – $11,062 | $10,200 – $11,400 | $10,400 – $10,400 | $9,900 – $12,300 |
| 3rd Engineer | $4,000 – $4,800 | $4,200 – $5,259 | $4,000 – $4,800 | $4,760 – $5,250 |
| 4th Engineer | $3,300 – $3,800 | $3,500 – $4,700 | $3,100 – $3,800 | $3,500 – $4,500 |
| Gas Engineer | $7,500 – $10,000 | |||
| Electrician | $3,200 – $3,600 | $4,000 $- 6,500 | $3,500 – $6,010 | $6,000 – $8,100 |
| PumpMan | $2,250 – $2,500 | $2,250 – $2,900 | $2,250 – $2,500 | $2,500 |
| Bosun | $1,950 – $2,500 | $2,000 – $2,600 | $1,950 – $2,500 | $2,300 – $2,500 |
| Able (AB Seaman) | $1,450 – $1,950 | $1,450 – $2,100 | $1,450 – $1,950 | $1,700 – $2,100 |
| OS (Ordinary Seaman) | $900 – $1,300 | $1,050 – $1,500 | $900 – $1,300 | $1,300 – $1,800 |
| Fitter/Welder | $1,950 – $2,500 | $2,100 – $2,500 | $1,950 – $2,500 | $2,000 – $2,500 |
| Oiler | $1,450 – $1,950 | $1,450 – $2,100 | $1,450 – $1,950 | $1,700 – $2,100 |
| Wiper | $900 – $1,300 | $1,050 – $1,500 | $900 – $1,300 | $1,300 – $1,800 |
| Cook | $1,750 – $2,300 | $1,875 – $2,500 | $1,750 – $2,300 | $1,800 – $2,500 |
| Messman | $1,450 – $1,950 | $1,450 – $2,500 | $1,450 – $1,950 | $1,300 – $1,950 |
| Cadet | $600 – $1,055 | $725 – $1,155 | $600 – $1,055 | $680 – $1,255 |
SEAFARER’S SALARY ON DRY CARGO SHIPS
Dry cargo ships, also known as ‘bulk carriers’, are a type of ship that delivers non-liquid and/or non-containerized bulk cargo. They transport raw materials to various locations that are significant in global manufacturing and trade. The cargo they carry does not have any particular packaging such as grains, coals, iron ores, and so on.
All amounts are in US Dollars (USD).
| Rank | Bulk | Container | Car Carrier | Gen. Cargo |
| Master | $8,100 – $12,100 | $8,000 – $11,700 | $8,100 – $12,600 | $9,000 – $13000 |
| Chief Mate | $6,000 – $9,500 | $6,900 – $7,100 | $5,500 – $7,750 | $5,500 – $8,670 |
| 2nd Mate | $2,500 – $3,500 | $2,700 – $3,700 | $3,200 -$4,500 | $2,500 – $4,500 |
| 3rd Mate | $2,000 – $3,990 | $3,100 -$4,000 | $3,300 – $3,500 | $2,500 – $3,300 |
| Chief Engineer | $8,400 – $12,000 | $8,200 – $11,000 | $7,500 – $10,200 | $7,700 – $10,200 |
| 2nd Engineer | $6,700 – $9,500 | $6,900 – $7,100 | $5,500 – $7,750 | $5,500 – $8,670 |
| 3rd Engineer | $2,700 – $4,000 | $2,700 – $4,300 | $3,200 – $4,500 | $2,500 – $4,500 |
| 4th Engineer | $2,200 – $3,000 | $2,000 – $3,200 | $2,200 – $3,200 | $2,500 – $3,150 |
| Electrician | $4,000 – $5,600 | $3,400 – $5,000 | $2,000 – $5,600 | $2,700 – $5,040 |
| Bosun | $1,600 – $1,900 | $1,600 – $1,900 | $1,600 – $2,000 | $1,600 – $1,800 |
| AB (Able Seaman) | $1,387 – $1,400 | $1,300 – $1,672 | $1,300 – $1,672 | $1,100 – $1,600 |
| OS (Ordinary Seaman) | $900 – $1,220 | $910 – $1,285 | $900 – $1,200 | $1,131 – $1,400 |
| Fitter/Welder | $1,650 – $1,900 | $1,636 – $1,850 | $1,600 – $2,000 | $1,636 – $2,201 |
| Oiler | $1,387 – $1,400 | $1,300 – $1,672 | $1,300 – $1,672 | $1,100 – $1,600 |
| Wiper | $900 – $1,220 | $910 – $1,285 | $900 – $1,220 | $1,141 – $1,400 |
| Cook | $1,600 – $1,988 | $1,632 – $1,900 | $1,600 – $2,000 | $1,400 – $2,600 |
| Messman/2nd Cook | $500 – $1,400 | $900 – $1,446 | $900 – $1,446 | $900 – $1,446 |
| Cadet | $200 – $750 | $400 – $650 | $400 – $650 | $250 – $700 |
Who determines the seafarers’ minimum wage?
The Maritime Labour Convention of 2006 states that the basic pay or wage of an Able Seafarer (AB) within one month of service shall not be less than the amount set by the Joint Maritime Commission (JMC).
Seaman’s Salary Increase
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) is a group of maritime employers that has agreed to a new four-year labor contract that will cover 250,000 seafarers and 10,000 ships worldwide.
Key Points:
- 2% increase in seafarers’ salaries in 2025.
- Salaries and other expenses for 2026-2027 will be discussed in 2025.
References:
Clarksons. (n.d.). Types of cargo ships: Clarksons’ ultimate guide |. https://www.clarksons.com/glossary/types-of-cargo-ships-clarksons-ultimate-guide/
Philippine Go. (2025, February 3). Seaman Salary by Ranks 2025 | Comprehensive Guide. https://philippinego.com/seaman-salary-by-ranks/
Raunek. (2023, August 1). A Guide to Types of Ships. Marine Insight. https://www.marineinsight.com/guidelines/a-guide-to-types-of-ships/
Reyes, I. (2024, September 26). Salary and Ranks of Seafarers in the Philippines. AllTheBestLoans. https://allthebestloans.ph/blog/salary-and-ranks-of-seafarers-in-the-philippines/
