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Your Maritime Career Path

From cadet to command โ€” typical progression timelines and real 2026 salary ranges for every rank, deck and engine.

1
Deck Cadet
Typically 0 years at sea to reach

Training aboard, building sea time toward first watchkeeping certificate.

2
3rd Officer
Typically 0โ€“2 years at sea to reach

First officer rank โ€” navigation watches, safety duties.

๐Ÿ’ฐ $3,000โ€“$6,000/mo
3
2nd Officer
Typically 2โ€“4 years at sea to reach

Primary navigation and voyage planning responsibility.

๐Ÿ’ฐ $4,500โ€“$8,500/mo
4
Chief Officer
Typically 5โ€“8 years at sea to reach

Cargo operations, deck department, direct link to the Master.

๐Ÿ’ฐ $7,000โ€“$14,000/mo
โš“
Master
Typically 9+ years at sea to reach

Full command โ€” navigation, cargo, crew, and regulatory compliance.

๐Ÿ’ฐ $9,000โ€“$21,000/mo

Timelines are general industry patterns and vary by company, flag state, and individual sea time โ€” not a guarantee. Salary ranges span bulk carrier to LNG carrier rates for 2026, from ShipCrewFinder's Salary Index.

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