Deck Department
Second Officer — Global Hiring Overview
Second Officers handle navigation, passage planning, and bridge watchkeeping on merchant, offshore, and cruise vessels worldwide.
Median Salary
$78.0k
$56.2k – $109k
Demand Score
96/100
Very High
Monthly Openings
7.8K
tracked globally
YoY Growth
+16%
rolling 12 months
Market Outlook
Demand for second officers in the global maritime market is exceptionally strong. Maritime employers report a 16% year-on-year increase in Second Officer mandates, driven by global fleet renewal, expansion of LNG and container tonnage, and shortage of senior deck officers.
Salary Trend
Second Officer compensation typically falls between $56.2k and $109k, with experienced 2/os in the global maritime market commanding $109k+ at leading shipowners, managers, ports, cruise operators, and offshore players. Total compensation often includes leave pay, travel, joining bonuses, performance pay, and ship-type or DP allowances.
Career Path
Second Officers typically progress to Third Officer, Chief Officer roles, or into command upgrades, marine superintendent, port captain, and fleet management tracks across the global hiring maritime market.
Key Responsibilities
- •Stand navigational watches
- •Plan passages and update charts/ECDIS
- •Maintain navigation equipment and publications
- •Support safety drills and emergency response
Qualifications
- •STCW II/1 OOW with NWKO
- •ECDIS, GMDSS, ARPA, BRM
- •2+ years OOW experience
For Shipowners, Ports & Maritime Employers
Hire qualified second officers on CosmoQuick
Shipowners, ship managers, container lines, cruise lines, port authorities, terminals, shipyards, and offshore operators use CosmoQuick to match with vetted second officers worldwide.
Second Officer jobs by city
Second Officer jobs in Dubai
14.4K openings · $101k
Second Officer jobs in Abu Dhabi
11.3K openings · $99.8k
Second Officer jobs in Fujairah
9.8K openings · $81.9k
Second Officer jobs in Doha
12.1K openings · $101k
Second Officer jobs in Ras Laffan
10.1K openings · $85.8k
Second Officer jobs in Dammam
10.9K openings · $85.8k
Second Officer jobs in Jeddah
11.3K openings · $85.8k
Second Officer jobs in Muscat
8.6K openings · $81.9k
Second Officer jobs in Manama
7.8K openings · $85.8k
Second Officer salary insights
Second Officer salary in Dubai
$101k
Second Officer salary in Abu Dhabi
$99.8k
Second Officer salary in Fujairah
$81.9k
Second Officer salary in Doha
$101k
Second Officer salary in Ras Laffan
$85.8k
Second Officer salary in Dammam
$85.8k
Second Officer salary in Jeddah
$85.8k
Second Officer salary in Muscat
$81.9k
Second Officer salary in Manama
$85.8k
Hiring by maritime industry
Shipping Companies hiring Second Officers
Shipowners and operators across container, bulk, tanker, LNG, and specialised trades hiring officers, ratings, and shore staff
Container Liners hiring Second Officers
Global container lines, alliances, and feeder operators hiring across vessel and shore operations
Bulk Shipping Operators hiring Second Officers
Dry bulk owners and operators across Capesize, Panamax, and Handysize fleets
Tanker Operators hiring Second Officers
Crude, product, chemical, and gas tanker operators hiring officers, ratings, and shore staff
LNG Shipping Operators hiring Second Officers
LNG and LPG shipping operators hiring across specialised gas-carrier operations
Cruise Lines hiring Second Officers
Ocean and river cruise operators hiring marine crew, hotel teams, and entertainment staff worldwide
Port Authorities hiring Second Officers
Port authorities and operators running container, bulk, multi-purpose, and cruise terminals
Terminal Operators hiring Second Officers
Global and regional terminal operators hiring across container, bulk, and energy terminals
Shipyards hiring Second Officers
Newbuild and repair yards hiring across engineering, production, and project management
Related specialties
Related maritime roles
Frequently Asked Questions
The median salary for a Second Officer in the global maritime market is around $78.0k, typically ranging from $56.2k to $109k based on rank, sea-time, type experience, and the maritime employer.