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Merchant Navy Salary Calculator | Sailors Factory

Sailors Factory · Career Tool

Merchant Navy Money Map

Already sorted your eligibility? Bet. Now see what you'll actually be earning — rank by rank, sea time to age to lakhs in the bank. Deck, Engine, ETO, or Rating — pick your track and watch the numbers move.

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18 yrs
8 mo
12 yrs
15 mo

2nd Mate's ExamiDedicated study leave, added on top of your timeline.

3 mo

Chief Mate's ExamiDone during normal leave between contracts.

3 mo

Master's ExamiDone during normal leave between contracts.

6 mo

Chief Officer sailingiSenior contracts often run shorter than junior-rank contracts.

4 mo

Captain sailingiCommand contracts are usually the shortest of all.

How the timeline math worksiThe 2nd Mate's (or MEO IV) exam realistically takes 10 months to 2 years once you count study time, DG Shipping paperwork, and possible re-attempts — dedicated leave that stretches your timeline. Chief Mate's and Master's (or MEO II/I) exams happen during your normal leave between contracts instead — they only delay you if the exam runs longer than that leave. Chief Officer and Captain (or 2nd/Chief Engineer) also get their own sea-time pattern, since senior contracts are usually shorter — this changes both how fast you reach command and how much you earn once there. Actual pay and timing always vary by company, flag and individual performance.

🔥 Your Rise Ladder

The Money Curve

Low–high range, earlier years Final projected year
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Real talkTax-free income possibleiSeafarer income earned while maintaining NRI status (broadly, 183+ days outside India in the financial year) is generally exempt from Indian income tax under Section 5 of the IT Act — check current rules with a tax advisor, but this is a genuine perk your shore-job friends don't get. 📊 Data sourcesiFigures researched from current industry salary guides, Glassdoor, ITF/ILO minimum wage scales, and seafarer career forums (2026) — cross-checked across multiple sources to smooth out outlier numbers. Treat as planning estimates, not a guaranteed offer.
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About Sailors Factory

Sailors Factory is a Merchant Navy education and preparation platform built by a Bunch of Active Merchant Navy Officers  of Biggest Shipping Companies  with other greatest minds who were once like you to help aspiring seafarers understand, prepare for, and pursue a career at sea.

We provide guidance and preparation resources for students and aspirants exploring Merchant Navy careers, including pathways involving IMU-CET, maritime entrance examinations, company sponsorship preparation, interviews and related career requirements.

Think Merchant Navy, Add Sailors Factory to your Preparation List.

What We Do

Sailors Factory brings Merchant Navy preparation, career guidance and practical learning resources together in one platform. Our approach is designed to help students move beyond simply studying for an examination and understand the complete journey—from checking whether they are eligible for a maritime career to preparing for entrance examinations, sponsorship opportunities and the next stages of their career.

Our platform includes preparation resources, practice and test-based learning, eligibility guidance, career information and mentorship-oriented support to help Merchant Navy aspirants make better-informed decisions. 

Our Focus Areas

Sailors Factory focuses on the areas that matter most to students planning a Merchant Navy career:

  • IMU-CET Preparation — structured preparation and practice for students targeting Indian Maritime University entrance pathways.

  • Merchant Navy Career Guidance — clear information about courses, eligibility, career pathways and the steps involved in entering the maritime industry.

  • Sponsorship Preparation — guidance and preparation for company sponsorship examinations, interviews and related selection processes.

  • Maritime Entrance Preparation — academic practice, mock tests and learning resources designed around the requirements of Merchant Navy aspirants.

  • Eligibility & Career Tools — resources that help students understand whether a particular Merchant Navy pathway is suitable for them before they commit time and money.

  • Maritime Learning — educational content that helps students understand the profession, life at sea and the responsibilities involved in becoming a maritime professional.

What Makes Sailors Factory Different

Merchant Navy preparation is not only about clearing an entrance examination. Students also need to understand eligibility, course selection, sponsorship, interviews, medical requirements and the realities of a career at sea.

Sailors Factory is built around this complete journey.

The platform is led by a team that includes Merchant Navy Officers, MBAs, teachers and trainers, including professionals with extensive teaching experience. The team also brings experience of UPSC Civil Services Mains preparation, maritime careers and student training.

Our goal is simple: help an aspirant make the right decisions before entering the Merchant Navy and prepare systematically for the stages that follow.

Our Mission

Our mission is to make Merchant Navy career preparation more accessible, understandable and systematic for aspiring seafarers across India.

We want students to have access to the information, preparation resources and guidance they need to make informed decisions about a career at sea—and to approach Merchant Navy entrance examinations and sponsorship processes with greater clarity and preparation.

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