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The Daily Insight

How much does a merchant marine make?

Author

James Craig

Published Feb 25, 2026

How Much Do Merchant Marines Get Paid? The salary of a merchant marine varies by the training received. The median salary of a merchant marine is around $55,000, but the range of salaries can vary from $27,000 up to $120,000.

Is a merchant Marine a dangerous job?

Merchant mariners have always endured hard labor, monotony and the threat of pirates for the adventure of life at sea, but the vocation has grown more dangerous with the times. And the piracy threat continues to grow, with heavily armed bandits chasing down ships and taking hostages.

How much time off do merchant marines get?

Schedules are largely driven by customer or geographical requirements and generally comprised of embarkation days ranging from 28 to 42 days and off-time ranging from 14 to 21 days. While on the vessel, you should expect to work 12 hours per day.

Are merchant marine ships armed?

It is civilian-manned ships Merchant Mariners are not part of the military. Now, some of them run a number of ships that support the U.S. Navy, like the Henry J.

Is the Merchant Navy a full time job?

Merchant navy officers do dock at ports, but they not do not necessarily leave the ship. Career as a merchant navy officer offer has two shifts – Full-time and contract basis: Being a merchant navy officer is a full-time job if they are working in an office environment.

What kind of job can you get in the Merchant Marine?

If you’re looking for a career that offers challenging physical work, substantial pay and an opportunity for adventure, the Merchant Marine might be right for you. The Merchant Marine, sometimes called the merchant navy, consists of civilian vessels — such as tankers and cargo ships — that import and export goods to other countries.

Can a special needs person join the Merchant Navy?

The career as a merchant navy officer is not suited for candidates with special needs. A merchant navy officer requires a lot of physical and mental robustness, hence, those who are not physically fit or are specially-abled might not be up to the task.

Can a merchant marine work in the winter?

For those who operate in inland areas, such as the Great Lakes, work may be sparse in the winter as the lakes freeze over.