Seaman Salary in Sri Lanka 2026
Merchant navy pay by rank, from ordinary seaman and cadet to ship captain
How much does a seaman earn in Sri Lanka?
The seaman salary in Sri Lanka is usually paid in US dollars: about USD 750-1,100 a month for an ordinary seaman, USD 1,000-1,600 for an able seaman and USD 1,500-2,300 for a bosun on foreign-flag ships. Officers earn USD 2,500-10,000, and a ship captain earns roughly USD 9,000-15,000 a month. Pay is earned only while on contract, typically several months at a time.
Seaman salary in Sri Lanka by rank
These are SalaryLK editorial estimates of total monthly wages (basic pay plus fixed overtime and leave pay) for Sri Lankan seafarers on international merchant ships, based on public wage information and crewing adverts. LKR figures use roughly LKR 330 per US dollar, the CBSL indicative rate in early October 2026.
Deck and engine ratings
| Rank | Monthly (USD) | Approx. LKR |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary Seaman (OS) / Wiper | 750 - 1,100 | 250,000 - 360,000 |
| Able Seaman (AB) / Oiler | 1,000 - 1,600 | 330,000 - 530,000 |
| Bosun / Fitter | 1,500 - 2,300 | 500,000 - 760,000 |
| Chief Cook | 1,400 - 2,300 | 460,000 - 760,000 |
Deck officers
| Rank | Monthly (USD) | Approx. LKR |
|---|---|---|
| Deck Cadet (stipend) | 300 - 700 | 100,000 - 230,000 |
| Third Officer | 2,500 - 4,000 | 0.8M - 1.3M |
| Second Officer | 3,500 - 5,500 | 1.2M - 1.8M |
| Chief Officer | 6,500 - 10,000 | 2.1M - 3.3M |
| Master (Ship Captain) | 9,000 - 15,000 | 3.0M - 5.0M |
Engine officers, from fourth engineer to chief engineer, earn in a similar range to deck officers of equivalent rank. See the marine engineer salary guide for the engine side.
The ILO minimum wage for seafarers
The International Labour Organization sets a global minimum basic wage for an able seafarer. Under the agreement reached by the ILO Joint Maritime Commission Subcommittee on Wages of Seafarers it is:
| From | Minimum basic wage, able seafarer (USD/month) |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 673 |
| 1 January 2026 | 690 |
| 1 January 2027 | 704 |
| 1 January 2028 | 715 |
This is basic pay only. Overtime, leave pay and other allowances are added, which is why total monthly wages are higher than the minimum.
What affects a seaman's pay
- Ship type. Oil, chemical and gas tankers and offshore vessels pay more than bulk carriers and general cargo ships.
- Company and agreement. Ships covered by ITF-approved collective agreements and large international ship managers pay above the ILO minimum.
- Certificates. Each certificate of competency (officer of the watch, chief mate, master) unlocks the next pay band. Tanker and other specialised endorsements add more.
- Contract length and time off. Pay is usually earned only while on board. Annual income depends on how many months you sail each year.
- Exchange rate. Because pay is in US dollars, its value in rupees moves with the USD/LKR rate.
How to become a seaman in Sri Lanka
- Choose deck, engine or catering. Ratings can start after basic courses, while officer cadets usually need G.C.E. O/L and A/L qualifications and a cadet programme.
- Complete the mandatory basic training. Elementary First Aid, Personal Survival Techniques, Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting, Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities, Maritime English and Security Awareness, at an institute approved by the Merchant Shipping Secretariat such as CINEC Campus or the Mahapola Training Institute of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority.
- Get a CDC. Apply to the Merchant Shipping Secretariat with your course certificates, an approved medical certificate, eyesight and colour vision tests, NIC, passport and police report. The first CDC is valid for five years and costs Rs. 5,000.
- Find a ship. Most Sri Lankans join foreign ships through licensed manning agents and ship management companies.
- Build sea time and sit exams. The Merchant Shipping Secretariat runs examinations for Able Seafarer (deck and engine), Navigation Watchkeeping and Engineering Watchkeeping, and higher certificates of competency.
Related careers include boat captain for local and coastal vessels, the Sri Lanka Navy, and shore jobs covered in shipping industry salaries. Pay for lecturers and staff at the main maritime campus is covered in salary at CINEC.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary of a seaman in Sri Lanka?
Most Sri Lankan seamen work on foreign-flag ships and are paid in US dollars. As an editorial estimate of total monthly wages, an ordinary seaman earns about USD 750-1,100, an able seaman about USD 1,000-1,600 and a bosun about USD 1,500-2,300. At roughly LKR 330 to the dollar (CBSL rate, October 2026), that is about LKR 250,000-760,000 a month while on contract. Officers earn considerably more.
What is the salary of a ship captain in Sri Lanka?
A ship captain (Master) on an international merchant ship typically earns about USD 9,000-15,000 a month, or roughly LKR 3 million to LKR 5 million at current exchange rates. Pay depends on ship type and company: tanker, LNG and offshore vessels pay the most, while smaller general cargo ships pay less. Captains are only paid while on contract, usually several months on and a few months off.
What is the minimum wage for a seaman?
The ILO minimum basic wage for an able seafarer is USD 690 a month from 1 January 2026, rising to USD 704 from 1 January 2027 and USD 715 from 1 January 2028. This is basic pay only. Actual monthly earnings on most ships are higher because overtime, leave pay and allowances are added, and ships covered by ITF-approved agreements pay above the ILO floor.
How much does a deck cadet earn in Sri Lanka?
Deck and engine cadets on sea training usually receive a stipend of roughly USD 300-700 a month, depending on the company and ship type. The cadet period is mainly for completing the sea service needed to sit the officer certificate of competency examination, after which pay rises sharply.
How do I become a seaman in Sri Lanka?
You need a Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) from the Merchant Shipping Secretariat. Requirements include being at least 18 (except cadets), a professional qualification for deck, engine or catering, the mandatory basic training courses (Elementary First Aid, Personal Survival Techniques, Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting, Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities, Maritime English and Security Awareness), a medical certificate from an approved doctor and an eyesight and colour vision test. The first CDC is valid for five years and the fee is Rs. 5,000.
Where can I study to become a seaman in Sri Lanka?
The Merchant Shipping Secretariat lists approved maritime training institutes. They include CINEC Campus (Merchant Marine Training School, Malabe), the Mahapola Training Institute of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, the Division of Maritime Studies at the University of Moratuwa (ITUM), the Naval and Maritime Academy in Trincomalee, Ocean University and several private academies. Check the current list before paying for a course.
Is there an MMD certificate in Sri Lanka?
MMD (Mercantile Marine Department) is the term used in India. In Sri Lanka, seafarer documents and certificates of competency are issued by the Merchant Shipping Secretariat (Merchant Shipping Division) under the Director General of Merchant Shipping. It runs the examinations for Navigation Watchkeeping (Deck), Engineering Watchkeeping, Able Seafarer Deck and Engine, and Electro-Technical Rating.
How much does a chief officer earn?
A chief officer (chief mate) typically earns about USD 6,500-10,000 a month on international ships, depending on vessel type and company. It is the last step before command, and most chief officers need a Master certificate of competency and further sea time to be promoted to captain.
Do seamen in Sri Lanka pay EPF and income tax?
Seafarers employed on foreign-flag ships through manning agents are usually not in the Sri Lankan EPF scheme, so the standard EPF and ETF deductions do not apply. The tax treatment of foreign-earned income depends on residence and how the income is received, so seafarers should check their position with the Inland Revenue Department or a tax adviser.
What is the difference between a seaman and a marine engineer?
"Seaman" usually refers to deck ratings (ordinary seaman, able seaman, bosun), while engine ratings are wipers, oilers and fitters. Marine engineers are the licensed engine officers, from fourth engineer to chief engineer. Engine officers earn in a similar range to deck officers of equivalent rank.
Sources
- CDC requirements and fees (FAQs) - Merchant Shipping Secretariat
- Approved Maritime Training Institutes - Merchant Shipping Secretariat
- Seafarer minimum wage agreement - International Labour Organization
- Indicative USD spot exchange rate - Central Bank of Sri Lanka
- Seafarer wages - International Transport Workers' Federation
Rank-by-rank wage ranges are SalaryLK editorial estimates, not an official scale. Actual contracts vary by company, flag and ship type.
Updated Reviewed by SalaryLK Editorial TeamHow we research salaries