How is gross monthly wage calculated?

The published industry wage surveys (Danica, Spinnaker, Faststream) and the ITF Total Crew Cost (TCC) standard report a single 'monthly USD' figure that already bundles basic wages, overtime above the standard 103-hour threshold, fixed leave accrual, social-security contributions, and (for officer ranks) seniority pay. CBAs vary; this calculator uses the survey median as a reference point. Your actual SEA may pay above or below this reference.

Allotment is the percentage of monthly wages paid directly to your home-account (typically a designated bank account in the seafarer's home country) by the manning agent or shipowner's bank. Filipino seafarers commonly allot 80%; Indian seafarers often allot 75-90% to NRE/NRO accounts; East-European seafarers commonly allot 50-70%. The remainder is paid to a 'leave-on-board' account or as cash advance.

Why is the take-home different from gross × FX?

Two reasons: (1) the bank applies a buy/sell spread (typically 0.3-2%) and a fixed fee on the inward USD remittance; (2) some flag-state social-security contributions (e.g. Norwegian NIS contribution, ITF Special Agreement contribution) are deducted before allotment. The calculator estimates these where flagged but you should verify on the actual wage account.

How does income tax apply?

Most major maritime nations exempt seafarer income earned in international voyages: Philippines (NIRC §32(B)(8)), India (Income Tax Act §6 + Section 10(4)(ii) for NRI status if <182 days resident in India), Norway (NIS exemption), Greece (capital ship-operator scheme). Verify your country's specific rules and total days outside the country during the tax year. UK seafarer's earnings deduction (SED) requires >183 days outside the UK; US TWMR requires foreign-residence physical-presence test.

Seafarer salary calculator

Estimate monthly USD gross by rank × vessel type using 2025 industry wage-survey medians (Danica / Spinnaker / Faststream) and ITF TCC reference. Set your allotment percentage to see the home-currency split. Live ECB rates via Frankfurter; bank settlement spreads typically reduce the take-home by 0.3–2%.

Rank

Vessel type

Allotment %

Home currency

Result

Gross monthly: USD 16,500
Allotment (80%): USD 13,200
On-board / leave: USD 3,300

Allotment in PHP

FX rate unavailable.

Sources: Spinnaker / Danica / Faststream wage surveys (industry-published medians); ITF Total Crew Cost Standard 2025; BIMCO IBF framework. FX via Frankfurter (ECB reference rates). See full salary table at /salaries; allotment regulations at /help/salary-wire-transfer; pay-deduction rules at /help/pay-deductions; live FX at /reference/currency-at-port.