Marine engineering is a branch of Engineering that deals with constructing and operating a power plant and different equipment related to seacrafts, docks, shipyards and harbour installations. It is an engineering branch that deals with the designing and production of various kinds of boats, oil rigs, and marine vessels. Aspirants who study marine engineering are called marine engineers — efficient and skilled in their field. Many young candidates aspire to become marine engineers, but some have little idea about the salary they can expect. Now, let’s get straight ahead and learn about the average marine engineer salary in India.
Did you know? The average salary of a 4th engineer on the ship (Marine Engineer), i.e. an engineer who has just completed training and reports for work, is a whopping sum of ₹ 1,80,000 per month.
A Marine Engineer’s Job Profile
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The job of a marine engineer is demanding as designing and building multiple sea vessels is challenging. Marine engineers are responsible for designing and building sea vessels that can stay firm even during winds and waves. The candidate should have special skills to enjoy a prolific career in marine engineering. The job profile of a marine engineer contains the following aspects:
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Maintenance of Mechanical Systems
A marine engineer is required to look after the machinery aboard sea vessels and ensure proper maintenance from time to time.
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Development of Ships
A marine engineer is required to construct various kinds of ships’ parts, including gas turbines, engines, pumps, etc. They are required to design various advanced marine technologies for major organisations that form a part of the marine industry.
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Record Keeping and Maintenance
A marine engineer has to keep a proper record of all machinery on deck and ensure everything is maintained according to the maintenance plan.
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Breakdown and Repairs
A key role of a marine engineer is to be alert and ensure they are ready to tackle any emergency breakdowns by working with experts and resolving the issue within a specific period.
Marine Engineering Salary Per Month in India
Marine Engineer Positions |
Salary Range (Per Month) |
Chief Engineer |
₹6 Lakh to ₹10 Lakh |
Second Engineer |
₹3.50 Lakh to ₹6 Lakh |
Third Engineer |
₹2.50 Lakh to ₹3.50 Lakh |
Fourth Engineer |
₹1.25 Lakh to ₹2.5 Lakh |
Fifth Engineer |
₹35,000 to ₹80,000 |
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Now, let’s take a detailed look at the marine engineering salary per month in India based on hierarchy:
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Fifth Marine Engineer
The Fifth Engineer works as a trainee under the second engineer and they assist the second engineer to carry out tasks in the engine room. The second engineer watches over them during duty. A Fifth Engineer can get somewhere between ₹35,000 to ₹80,000 per month as salary, depending on seniority and years of experience.
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Fourth Marine Engineer
It is a junior rank among marine engineers. The Fourth Engineer is responsible for ensuring that the machinery on the deck is working properly and efficiently. They earn a salary of about ₹1.25 lakhs to ₹2.5 lakhs per month, depending on seniority and years of experience.
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Third Marine Engineer
They are assigned to look after machinery by the Chief Engineer himself, and they keep a daily watch upon the machinery on board. The Third Engineer reports to the Second Engineer. Third Marine Engineer earns a salary of about ₹2.50 lakhs to ₹3.50 lakhs depending on the years of experience.
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Second Marine Engineer
A Second Engineer is responsible for any kind of system failure or other mishappenings that may take place during the journey. The second ship engineer’s salary in India ranges from about ₹3.50 lakh to ₹6 lakh per month.
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Chief Marine Engineer
A Chief Engineer is considered the head of the Marine Engineering department. He supervises the work of all marine engineers on the ship. A Chief Marine Engineer’s salary ranges from ₹6 lakh to ₹10 lakh per month, depending on the level of skill, expertise and also the number of years of experience.
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Merchant Navy Marine Engineer
A merchant navy officer or a chief engineer earns a hefty monthly amount. The average salary in India for a marine engineer in the merchant navy ranges from approximately ₹6 lakh to ₹10 lakh per month. It can even go up to ₹15 or even ₹20 lakhs per month.
Eligibility to become a Marine Engineer
One needs to be well trained and possess certain educational qualifications to become a marine engineer and get an average Indian salary. Here are some necessary qualifications:
- The candidate should have cleared 12th standard with a minimum of 60% aggregate marks in Physics, Chemistry and Math, and a minimum of 50% marks in English.
- The candidate should successfully clear entrance exams for colleges that provide the Marine Engineering course.
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- The candidate should be 18 to 25 years old to be eligible for the entrance exams.
- The candidate should have good eyesight and no impairment in hearing abilities.
- The candidate should not weigh less than 42 kilograms. This criterion is to ensure a candidate is physically fit and of sound health to work long hours on the ship.
- The candidate should be mentally stable and in a presumably good psychological condition to ensure they are motivated to work to the best of their capabilities.
Courses for Marine Engineering
The basic path to becoming a marine engineer is to pursue an undergraduate degree from a reputed college or a university. Many colleges around India provide undergraduate courses in the field of Marine Engineering. Some courses that are quite popular are as follows:
- B.Tech/ B.E in Marine Engineering
- B.Tech in Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering
- A Diploma in Marine Engineering.
It will also be a more viable option for candidates to pursue a master’s degree for broader knowledge on topics such as naval architecture, as it will give them a vast knowledge regarding designing marine vessels.
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Conclusion
The average marine engineer salary in India has relatively hiked in the past few years. This field of work is more demanding and popular among aspiring candidates. There are different categories of marine engineers based on rank and the nature of work distributed, which a Chief Marine Engineer supervises.
A Chief Marine Engineer’s salary is considered the highest compared to marine engineers. That’s why aspiring candidates willing to join the Marine Engineering course have an ultimate dream to become a Chief Marine Engineer to garner respect for themselves in society, fetch a significant salary, and earn other benefits.
Marine engineers are paid based on their experience and skills. Marine engineers are considered highly skilled in their work, and they get rewarded with huge salaries. The marine engineer salary in India is quite high, which will suffice for all the hard work and sacrifices made.
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