Commercial Divers: Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Stan T.Career, Overview

Commercial Divers

Commercial Divers work below surface of water, using surface-supplied air or scuba equipment to inspect, repair, remove, or install equipment and structures. May use a variety of power and hand tools, such as drills, sledgehammers, torches, and welding equipment. May conduct tests or experiments, rig explosives, or photograph structures or marine life.

Salary
$71850
Becoming One
Medium
Education
Post-secondary certificate
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality
Interest Match



Job description

Commercial Divers work below surface of water, using scuba gear to inspect, repair, remove, or install equipment and structures. May use a variety of power and hand tools, such as drills, sledgehammers, torches, and welding equipment. May conduct tests or experiments, rig explosives, or photograph structures or marine life.

  • Take appropriate safety precautions, such as monitoring dive lengths and depths and registering with authorities before diving expeditions begin.
  • Check and maintain diving equipment, such as helmets, masks, air tanks, harnesses, or gauges.
  • Communicate with workers on the surface while underwater, using signal lines or telephones.
  • Descend into water with the aid of diver helpers, using scuba gear or diving suits.
Read more about what does a Commercial Diver really do at work and what is it like being and working as one.



Salary

Average salary
$59470 per year

Average hourly wage
$29 per hour


Commercial Divers with little to no experience tend to make between $30810 and $37840 while the more experienced ones can earn over $66570 per year.

Top 5 paying states Hourly Annual
AK $42 $86,600
WA $41 $84,480
NJ $37 $77,080
NH $36 $75,500
CT $35 $72,400

One of the easiest ways to increase your salary as a Commercial Diver is to move to a higher paying state like AK. Right now, the highest paying states for Commercial Divers are AK, WA, NJ, NH and CT.

However, a higher pay at AK doesn’t guarantee that you will make more because the living expenses at AK might be twice as high than where you are currently at now.

Three other factors that can increase your salary as a Commercial Diver is the degree you hold, the industry you work in, and lastly the company you work for.


Requirements

Recommended degree level
Post-secondary certificate

We asked other Commercial Divers what degree they had when they got the job and most of them said they had a Post-Secondary Certificate followed by an Associate’s Degree.

Other than that, we also asked them what did they major in and here are the most popular majors that came up.

Diver, Professional and Instructor
Read more about how to become a Commercial Diver and the degree, training and education you need.

Pros and Cons

Here are some of the pros and cons of being a Commercial Diver.

PROS
Suitable for people who likes practical and hands-on work
Suitable for people who wants to work in a supportive work environment
This career is perfect for people who love to work outdoors.
It is not too difficult to get into this career. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
CONS
Not suitable for people who likes to help and teach others
Salary is below average
Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week)

What is the job like

Job satisfaction
67%

Is this job meaningful
52%


67% of Commercial Divers said they were satisfied with their job and 52% said they feel like their job is making other people’s lives better.


Is this right for me

Best personality for this career
The Builders and The Thinkers

You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.



Learn more about Commercial Divers

Summary (You are here)
Job Description
Salary
Requirements
Quiz

Related career information

Commercial Divers job description, Commercial Divers salary, Commercial Divers information, what is the job of a Commercial Diver like, pros and cons about Commercial Divers, colleges and universities for Commercial Divers, is Commercial Divers the right career for me, careers in Trades and Services

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Commercial Diver, Deep Sea Diver, Dive Superintendent, Dive Supervisor, Divemaster, Diver, Diver Tender, Diving Supervisor, Hard Hat Diver, Marine Diver

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