Wages
earned by seafarers are normally very generous compared
to similar professions ashore. Seagoing officers are assured a very comfortable standard of living, and are
usually within the upper income bracket of their
national populations.
In Europe, a 22 year old working on a ship, newly
qualified as a third officer, can earn a
"take home" salary that is comparable to what
many shore-based
university graduates might hope to earn in their 30s.
In developing world countries, ships' officers working
on internationally trading ships are amongst the very
highest paid in their countries.
Opportunities for accumulating savings, even when young,
are considerable (unlike most people, officers have
relatively few expenses when working at sea as accommodation, travel and food are
all met by the employer).
The real value of wages may often be substantially
greater because they are frequently tax free.
Officers who stay at sea can be promoted
rapidly, eventually becoming a Captain or Chief Engineer
when wages can be very considerable indeed.
Wages obviously vary according to the country in which
you live and the shipping company you work for. Some
types of ship require specialised skills for which pay may
be higher than others. More detailed information will be
available from national
sources.
