Annual Salary
£19,000 to £36,000
Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)
Swap to Security or Emergency or go back to all job sectors
Swap to Security or Emergency or go back to all job sectors
Royal Navy ratings work in a variety of roles on board ships and submarines, and at naval bases.
Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)
You could work: evenings / weekends / bank holidays; away from home
There will be
0.2% fewer Royal Navy rating jobs in 2027.
As a Royal Navy rating, you could:
You may need to wear a uniform and protective clothing.
You could work at a military base, on a ship, be based overseas or in a warzone.
Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding and outdoors in all weathers.
You can get into this job through:
You could apply to join the navy through an HM Forces Serviceperson Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.
You'll apply directly to the navy to find the best apprenticeship route for you. This will depend on your qualifications and which service role you're interested in.
You can join the Royal Navy Reserve to get some experience of what life is like in the service, and to learn new skills at the same time.
You'll need to be:
If you're between 12 and 18 years old, you can join the Sea Cadets.
You can apply directly to join the Royal Navy as a rating. You don't need any specific qualifications, but you will need to meet the navy's eligibility requirements. For example, you must:
After applying, you'll be invited to talk to someone at your local armed forces careers office about what you want to do. You will then do the Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA) followed by an interview.
If you have the right skills, you'll be asked to attend the 4-day Pre-Royal Navy Course. This includes further interviews, fitness, medical and aptitude tests. If successful, you'll be offered a place on the navy's basic training programme.
You'll need to:
You will need to pass physical fitness assessments, including swimming, to be accepted into the Royal Navy. Get fit to Join has information on how to check your current fitness and how to improve to the level required.
You'll find more about how to become a rating from Royal Navy Careers.
After you complete your basic training, you can choose to specialise in a particular area.
Examples include:communications; logistics; mine warfare; submarine operations
With training and experience you could move up through the ranks and become an officer.
Throughout your navy career, you'll have the opportunity to gain qualifications in your area of expertise.
On leaving active service, you could use your skills, qualifications and experience to go into a new career. You can find details about support and opportunities from:Quest; Career Transition Partnership; Forces Employment Charity; Get Into Teaching
You'll need: