Seafarer Salary Guide 2026: ITF Wages & Pay Checker
Benchmark your sweldo by rank and vessel type against the ITF/ILO minimum and indicative 2026 market bands — then check if a job offer looks fair before you sign. These are benchmarks, not entitlements: not every seafarer is paid the same salary. Everything runs in your browser; nothing you type is saved or sent.
Benchmark your rank
Pick your rank and vessel type to see the indicative 2026 market band.
Is this offer fair?
Enter the monthly basic wage (USD) you were offered for the rank and vessel above. A high or low figure is a planning flag, not a finding that the offer is a scam. Verify the agency on the official DMW site.
Allotment helper
80%Sending 80% of $10,500 home = $8,400/mo (indicative ₱491,400 at ₱58.50/US$)
The DMW-SEC 80% minimum is on basic wage plus fixed overtime, not leave pay, so use that figure rather than a consolidated total. Indicative rate ₱58.50 = US$1, set 22 Jun 2026. Not a live quote; your bank or remittance rate will differ.
Indicative only — not contractual. Currency USD, bands as published on this page, as-of the salary guide's stated year. Verify against your DMW-SEC and the applicable CBA. Nothing you enter is stored or sent. Eagle does not accuse an employer of fraud from a number alone.
Seafarer salary by rank — indicative 2026 market band
Typical monthly basic wage, blended across container, bulk and tanker fleets. Actual pay varies by company, vessel type, flag state and experience. Figures are indicative, not contractual.
| Rank | Indicative total monthly package (USD) |
|---|---|
| Captain / Master | $8,500 – $12,500 |
| Chief Engineer | $8,000 – $11,500 |
| Chief Officer | $5,000 – $7,500 |
| Second Engineer | $5,000 – $7,500 |
| Electro-Technical Officer (ETO) | $3,200 – $5,000 |
| Second Officer | $3,000 – $4,500 |
| Third Engineer | $3,000 – $4,500 |
| Third Officer | $2,500 – $3,800 |
| Bosun | $1,600 – $2,300 |
| Pumpman (tanker) | $1,600 – $2,400 |
| Fitter | $1,500 – $2,200 |
| Chief Cook | $1,400 – $2,200 |
| Able Seaman (AB) | $1,200 – $2,000 |
| Oiler / Motorman | $1,200 – $1,900 |
| Ordinary Seaman (OS) | $1,000 – $1,500 |
| Wiper | $1,000 – $1,500 |
| Messman / Steward | $900 – $1,400 |
| Deck / Engine Cadet | $400 – $900 |
ILO minimum basic wage for an Able Seaman (recommended international minimum, binding where a CBA adopts it): $690/month (effective 1 January 2026; 2025: $673; 2027: $704). ITF/IBF CBA consolidated wages, which add guaranteed overtime and leave pay, sit above this basic minimum — the bands above are those consolidated totals, not the basic wage. Standard DMW-SEC / non-CBA contracts often pay below these CBA/IBF bands.
Frequently asked questions
What is the ITF minimum wage for an Able Seaman (AB) in 2026?+
The ILO/ITF minimum basic monthly wage for an Able Seaman is US$690 effective 1 January 2026 (up from US$673 in 2025), rising to US$704 in 2027. It is the recommended international minimum basic wage for an AB (MLC 2006 Guideline B2.2.4), binding where a CBA or contract adopts it; ITF/IBF CBA consolidated wages — which add guaranteed overtime and leave pay — are higher.
How do I know if a seafarer job offer is a wage scam?+
Compare the monthly wage offered against the prevailing market band for your rank and vessel type, and against the ITF/ILO minimum. Any offer below the ITF/ILO minimum basic wage, or well below the market band, is a red flag. Verify the agency's DMW licence, never pay placement fees, and confirm whether the figure is basic-only or includes guaranteed overtime. Use the free checker on this page.
What is a seafarer allotment and how much should I remit?+
An allotment is the portion of your monthly wage sent automatically to your family at home, with the balance held or paid on sign-off. Filipino seafarers commonly remit around 80% as allotment. Use the allotment helper on this page to estimate the amount in USD and an indicative peso figure.
Does vessel type affect a seafarer's salary?+
Yes. Gas (LNG/LPG) and chemical tankers typically pay 20-30% above equivalent ranks on dry bulk carriers because of the specialist competencies and risk involved, followed by crude/product tankers and large container ships. General cargo and RoRo tend to sit at the lower end.
How much does a messman, cook or other rating earn at sea in 2026?+
An entry-level catering rating such as a messman or steward typically earns an indicative US$900-1,400 per month, and a chief cook roughly US$1,400-2,200. Skilled engine and tanker ratings earn more: an oiler/motorman around US$1,200-1,900, a fitter US$1,500-2,200 and a pumpman US$1,600-2,400. Any offer below the ITF/ILO minimum basic wage (US$690/month for an AB in 2026) or well under these market bands is a red flag.
Sources & important note
Minimum wage: ILO Joint Maritime Commission / International Chamber of Shipping (minimum basic wage for an able seafarer, eff. 1 Jan 2026). CBA framework: ITF Uniform TCC and the ITF-IMEC International IBF CBA 2026–2027. Market bands: industry salary surveys (2026). Attribution-only; no gated content reproduced.
This tool is indicative, not contractual. Always verify against your DMW-SEC and the applicable CBA before accepting any offer, and confirm your manning agency holds a valid DMW licence. Eagle Intelligence does not store anything you enter — all calculations run in your browser.
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