How much does a subsea engineer make?

Answer 1

Technical or skilled jobs offshore pay well when there is a shortage and normal when there is an abundance. Subsea Engineers working overseas including all bonuses earn around $280k. Bare in mind that a good 35% of this is made up as bonuses that can be taken away as soon as the demand for the position lulls. A Senior Subsea Engineer working overseas (excluding West Africa which would pay more) should expect to earn $320k. The premium for working overseas is typically a percentage of your base salary added on. If a company cannot get people to work in a 'hot' area the percentage will be higher, up to 50%! For a low risk area such as Indonesia, Malaysia, India, will be 20-25%. People working in the US sector of the Gulf of Mexico will only recieve the base salary.

Quite often working overseas the company will have to pay taxes on your behalf which you can offset against taxes in your country of residence.

India, Australia, Brazil have the best tax credits which will leave you paying little to no tax in your home country whereas countries like Saudi and Brunei have no taxation on rig workers meaning you will have to pay all normal taxes at home yourself.