Shipping Salaries Greece 2026: Office Pay Guide | Taliro.gr

Updated: 2025-12-08

Shipping is one of Greece’s strongest industries, managing over 20% of global fleet capacity. Shoreside positions are known for high salaries and competitive benefits because operations run 24/7 and every decision carries financial risk.

This guide compiles typical pay ranges by level and department, common bonuses, how company types differ, and what working conditions to expect if you are considering a career in Greek shipping offices. For a general salary methodology see the Greek salary calculation guide 2025, and for crew members at sea read the dedicated Greek seafarer salaries 2025 analysis.

Why shipping offices pay more

Shipping companies operate continuously, must comply with strict international rules, and face high costs for mistakes. That combination creates premium pay for professionals who can handle pressure, take decisions fast, and bring specialized knowledge.

What it means for candidates

• Expect real-time decision-making and coordination across time zones.
• Availability outside standard hours is the norm in functions like operations.
• Specialized expertise (ISM, ISPS, drydock planning) is rewarded with faster raises.

Salary ranges by seniority

Typical net monthly ranges in shipping offices (based on the 10% shipping tax regime where it applies):

Average annual net compensation for shoreside professionals is around €40,000 – €45,000, with many roles starting above €1,200 and senior roles reaching €2,500 – €4,500 per month when companies guarantee net figures.

Note: Many shipping firms leverage the 10% tax on repatriated shipping dividends to guarantee higher net pay, especially for senior roles.

Salaries by department

Pay differs significantly by function, with technical and commercial roles carrying the highest upside through bonuses.

Operations and ship management

Operators handle routing, bunkering, crew changes and legal issues. They often work shifts and must stay available around the clock.

• Entry level operations officer: €1,200 – €1,800.
• Experienced officer: from €2,000 and up.
• Senior operations manager: €3,000 – €5,000.

Higher pay appears in LNG/LPG and tanker fleets where safety and compliance demands are heavier.

Technical department and superintendents

Technical superintendents coordinate repairs, monitor safety standards and fuel, and manage compliance. They are among the best-paid roles thanks to technical responsibility.

• Entry level superintendent: ~€37,000 per year.
• Mid level: €45,000 – €55,000 per year.
• Senior: €60,000 – €80,000 per year.
• Performance bonus: €5,000 – €10,000 annually.
• Fleet managers: up to €80,000 net (around €120,000 gross) in large companies.

Accounting and finance

Accounting teams manage invoices, vessel expenses and crew payrolls. Finance teams cover fleet funding, banking relationships and cash flow.

• Accountant: €1,000 – €2,500.
• Senior accountant: €2,500 – €3,200.
• Financial controller: from €3,000 and up.
• CFO: €4,500 – €10,000 (large firms up to €150,000 annually).

Chartering and brokerage

Chartering is one of the highest-paid functions, with commissions that can double base salary.

• Entry level charterer: €2,000 – €3,000.
• Experienced charterer: €4,000 – €6,000.
• Brokers: base salary plus a share of the 1.25% freight commission, with bonuses that can reach tens of thousands in strong markets.

HR and crew management

HR teams coordinate hiring, training, certifications and crew changes worldwide.

• Entry level: €1,200 – €1,600.
• Crew operator: €1,500 – €2,500.
• Senior HR manager: from €3,000 and up.

IT department

Shipping offices maintain specialized systems for vessels and HQ (ERP, voyage management, cyber security).

• Entry level IT: €1,000 – €1,600.
• Mid level: €1,800 – €2,500.
• Senior IT manager: €3,000 – €3,500.

Marine and legal teams

Marine officers oversee ISM, ISPS, HSQE and compliance. Legal teams handle contracts, claims and maritime regulations.

• Marine superintendent: €3,000 – €5,000.
• DPA and HSQE managers: €3,500 – €6,000.
• Legal advisors: €2,500 – €4,000, depending on maritime law experience.

Bonuses and benefits

Fixed allowances

• 13th salary: full Christmas payment.
• 14th salary: half for Easter and half for vacation.

Performance bonuses

• Typically 1 extra salary as a base reward.
• 10% – 20% of annual pay for mid-level roles.
• Exceptional years: 30%+.

Per-charter bonuses for brokers

Brokers receive a share of the company’s 1.25% freight commission. In large deals, the bonus can surpass annual base pay.

Additional benefits

• Private health insurance.
• Company car for senior roles.
• Travel expenses and international conferences.
• Training subsidies and professional certifications.
• Company phones, laptops and flexible remote work where possible.

Foreign groups often provide relocation packages or housing allowances for senior hires moving to Athens.

What drives pay ranges

• Fleet type: LNG/LPG and tankers pay more than bulk carriers.
• Fleet size: owners with 40+ vessels have larger bonus budgets.
• Availability: 24/7 roles in operations and marine carry a premium.
• Contract structure: international groups with salary bands offer clearer raise trajectories.
• Market cycle: in strong freight years, commercial roles see substantial variable bonuses.

Comparison with other sectors in Greece

Shipping remains at the top of Greek pay scales for comparable responsibility levels. Indicative differences:

Types of shipping companies and pay

Greek family-owned companies

Stable salaries and generous benefits, but slower raises and fewer promotions without an internal network.

Foreign shipping groups

€3,000 – €12,000 for senior roles, standardized contracts, clear promotion ladders and an international environment.

Ship management companies

Stability-focused with consistent bonuses and training on global systems. Work pace is intense but shift patterns are predictable.

Brokerage firms

High variability with lower base pay but large commission upside in strong charter markets.

Working conditions and progression

Hours and availability

• Typical office presence 9–10 hours per day.
• Constant coordination with vessels and partners across time zones.
• Readiness for incidents (breakdowns, port surprises, weather).

Pressure and pace

• Strict compliance with IMO, ISM and ISPS rules.
• High cost of errors in freight, bunkering and claims.
• Rapid decisions required when freight markets move.

Career growth

• Technical skills and problem-solving drive faster promotions.
• References from captains, engineers and brokers matter.
• Experience with fleets that trade globally boosts salary negotiations.

Skills employers look for

Language skills

• Excellent English, especially for chartering and legal work.
• Strong negotiation in writing and speech.

Technical knowledge

• Understanding of IMO regulations.
• ISM, ISPS and HSQE familiarity.
• Drydock, repair and fuel-efficiency project experience.

Digital skills

• Advanced Excel and ERP use.
• Voyage management software and dashboards.
• Cyber security basics for vessels and offices.

Day-to-day reality

• Morning calls to review fleet status and bunkering actions.
• Coordination with agents and suppliers for ports and spares.
• Regular ISM/ISPS drills and certificate renewals.
• Ad hoc incident handling (off-hire events, breakdowns, port delays).

Net examples

Operations officer earning €1,800 net

• Annual net: €1,800 x 14 = €25,200.
• Annual bonus of 1 salary (net): +€1,800.
• Total annual package: ~€27,000 net.

Chartering manager earning €4,000 net

• Annual net: €56,000 (14 salaries).
• Chartering bonuses: €15,000 – €40,000 net in active years when net guarantees apply.
• Realistic total: €70,000 – €100,000 net.

Salary negotiation playbook

• Market research: know the ranges by vessel type and fleet size before interviewing.
• Certifications: extra training on vetting, drydock planning, Q88/Rightship boosts leverage.
• Availability premium: clarify shift patterns and on-call expectations to justify higher pay.
• Bonus metrics: request written KPIs (off-hire, fuel efficiency, claims) so bonuses are predictable.
• Benefits mix: health, training, conferences and remote flexibility add real value if base salary is capped.

Common candidate mistakes

• Underplaying pressure: be explicit about handling crises across multiple time zones.
• Vague experience: describe concrete projects (retrofits, scrubbers, ballast water) and your ownership.
• Skipping tools: highlight ERP, voyage management or chartering platforms you already use.

Key Takeaways

✅ Shipping offices offer some of the highest salary and bonus packages in Greece.
✅ Technical and commercial roles have the greatest upside through variable pay.
✅ Workload and pressure are demanding because operations run 24/7 under strict rules.
✅ Targeted skills (IMO, ISM, analytics, English) accelerate raises and promotions.
✅ Use salary calculators on Taliro.gr to estimate take-home pay with current tax and social security inputs.

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The information in this article is based on Greek legislation for 2026. For precise calculations and advice, we recommend consulting a tax advisor.