ETO Salary in 2026: What Has Changed Compared to 2025

The role of an Electro-Technical Officer (ETO) continues to gain importance across the maritime industry. With increasing automation, digitalization, and reliance on complex electrical systems onboard, ETOs are no longer just support engineers — they are critical to vessel operations.

As a result, 2026 has brought noticeable changes to salary levels and market dynamics compared to 2025.

Who Is an ETO and Why Demand Is Growing

An Electro-Technical Officer is responsible for maintaining and operating all electrical and electronic systems onboard a vessel. This includes:

• Power generation and distribution systems
• Navigation and communication equipment
• Automation and control systems
• High-voltage installations

Modern vessels are becoming increasingly “smart,” which makes the ETO’s role more complex — and more valuable.

What is the salary of an ETO? Salary of electricians on different vessels in 2025

The salary of Electro-Technical Officers (ETOs) varies significantly based on vessel type, job specifics, and the specialist's qualification level. As of 2024, the average income of deep-sea sailors largely depended on the vessel type and position. For instance, salaries on tankers (oil) or in offshore operations were typically 1.5 to 2 times higher than those on bulk carriers transporting dry cargoes like grain or coal.

Salary Trends from 2010 to 2025:

According to MaritimeZone, over the six years from 2014 to 2020, the salaries of merchant fleet sailors remained relatively stable, while earnings in the offshore segment initially rose but then sharply declined alongside oil prices.

Minimum and Maximum Salaries:

On offshore vessels such as Pipelaying Vessels (PLVs), salaries ranged from $65 to $900 per day, depending on the position. Captains earned $900 daily, their chief mates $463, and second mates (including ETOs) $280 per day. Consequently, an ETO's daily wage could vary between $75 and $280, influenced by the vessel type and job specifics.