SC Rates of Pay – Ships' Crew (Government of Canada)
SC rates of pay for all SC (Ships' Crew) levels in the Canadian federal public service, 2026. Salaries range from $65,640 to $78,708 across 7 levels. Category: Operational. Source: Treasury Board collective agreements.
SC – Ships' Crew
$65,640 – $78,708
$2,525 – $3,027 biweekly (before deductions)
7 levels · Salary data from Treasury Board collective agreements
Rates effective from 2024-08-05 · Last verified 2026-04-16 · methodology
All SC Levels
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About the SC Classification
The SC (Ships' Crew) group covers civilian mariners employed aboard Canadian Coast Guard vessels and other federal ships. SC employees fill positions from ordinary seaman through to senior officer ranks — helmsmen, bosuns, engineering officers, deck officers, and other maritime positions required to operate federal vessels. The Canadian Coast Guard is the primary employer, operating a fleet of vessels that provide icebreaking, search and rescue, aids to navigation, and marine science support across Canada's coastlines and inland waterways.
SC-01 through SC-03 cover entry-level and working-level crew positions — deckhands, engine room operators, and junior officers. SC-04 and SC-05 cover senior officers, chief engineers, and commanding officers of smaller vessels. SC-06 covers commanding officers of major vessels. SC positions require Transport Canada marine certification appropriate to the vessel size and operating area, with senior positions requiring Master Mariner or Chief Engineer certificates.
SC compensation includes sea pay and other allowances that can significantly increase total compensation above base salary rates for crew members on extended voyages. The work involves weeks-long deployments aboard ship, operations in challenging conditions including Arctic ice, and the physical demands of maritime work. The SC group is represented by multiple unions depending on the specific position. Federal maritime employment offers better job security and pension benefits than private-sector shipping, which attracts mariners willing to accept the structured environment of government vessel operations.
Want to know your take-home pay after taxes and deductions? Use the take-home pay calculator or compare SC with other classifications.