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Commercial Divers

Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed

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.

Pay & job outlook

Median pay: $72,990/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)

$43,330$157,790

Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.

Job outlook: +8.5% projected growth, 20242034 — faster than average.

About 400 openings per year, on average, over the decade.

Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.

Top skills
Critical ThinkingActive ListeningOperations MonitoringSpeakingQuality Control AnalysisOperation and ControlTime ManagementReading ComprehensionCoordinationComplex Problem Solving
Top knowledge areas
MechanicalBuilding and ConstructionPhysicsCustomer and Personal ServiceMathematicsPublic Safety and SecurityEducation and TrainingEnglish Language
Core tasks

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.

Obtain information about diving tasks and environmental conditions.

Supervise or train other divers, including hobby divers.

Inspect the condition of underwater steel or wood structures.

Inspect and test docks, ships, buoyage systems, plant intakes or outflows, or underwater pipelines, cables, or sewers, using closed circuit television, still photography, and testing equipment.

Frequently asked questions

What's the median pay for Commercial Divers?

The median pay for Commercial Divers is $72,990 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What's the job outlook for Commercial Divers?

Employment for Commercial Divers is projected to change +8.5% from 2024 to 2034 - faster than average.

What education is typically required for Commercial Divers?

Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.

How many job openings are there each year for Commercial Divers?

About 400 openings per year, on average, over the decade.