Find Trade Colleges

Commercial Diver

All About Commercial Divers

Example of Commercial Diver Job 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.

Life As a Commercial Diver

  • Remove obstructions from strainers or marine railway or launching ways, using pneumatic or power hand tools.
  • Communicate with workers on the surface while underwater, using signal lines or telephones.
  • Take appropriate safety precautions, such as monitoring dive lengths and depths and registering with authorities before diving expeditions begin.
  • Carry out non-destructive testing, such as tests for cracks on the legs of oil rigs at sea.
  • Set up dive sites for recreational instruction.
  • Obtain information about diving tasks and environmental conditions.

Commercial Diver Required Skills

Below is a list of the skills most Commercial Divers say are important on the job.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.

  • Salvage Diver
  • Diver
  • Non Destructive Testing Underwater Welder (NDT U/W Welder)
  • Aquarium Diver
  • Navy Diver

Is There Job Demand for Commercial Divers?

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 4,100 jobs in the United States for Commercial Diver. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 9.8% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 400 new jobs for Commercial Diver by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 400 job openings in this field each year.

undefined

The states with the most job growth for Commercial Diver are Alaska, Missouri, and Washington. Watch out if you plan on working in Wisconsin, New Jersey, or Alabama. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Salary for a Commercial Diver

Commercial Divers make between $30,810 and $108,170 a year.

undefined

Commercial Divers who work in Alaska, New Jersey, or Alabama, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Commercial Divers in different U.S. states.

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $56,410
Alaska $86,600
California $70,540
Connecticut $72,400
Florida $43,700
Indiana $65,860
Louisiana $46,720
Maryland $59,710
Michigan $53,590
Missouri $38,340
New Hampshire $75,500
New Jersey $77,080
New York $68,210
North Carolina $38,430
Ohio $36,270
South Carolina $31,270
Tennessee $41,960
Texas $50,130
Virginia $50,950
Washington $84,480

What Tools & Technology do Commercial Divers Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Commercial Divers:

  • Web browser software

Becoming a Commercial Diver

Are there Commercial Divers education requirements?

undefined

What work experience do I need to become a Commercial Diver?

undefined

Career changers with experience as a Commercial Diver sometimes find work in one of the following fields:

References:

Image Credit: via CC0 Public Domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Find Trade Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited trade schools across the U.S.