Welder
Join and cut metal with MIG, TIG and stick welding for construction and manufacturing.
- $53,750
- 3–18 months
Skilled Trades & Construction career
Commercial Diver
Also called: Underwater Welder · Construction Diver · Offshore Diver · Inland Diver
What commercial divers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a commercial diver do?
Commercial divers work below the surface of water, using scuba or surface-supplied air equipment to inspect, repair, remove or install equipment and structures. The median pay is $72,990 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Diving school plus tending experience, and employment is projected to grow +4.8% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$72,990$35.09/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+4.8%2025–35, about as fast as average
- Openings per year400Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationPostsecondary nondegree awardBLS classification
- Time to trainDiving school plus tending experienceTypical program length
- U.S. jobs4,000Employment, 2025
What commercial divers do
Commercial divers work where others can’t. They inspect and repair bridges, dams, docks, pipelines and offshore platforms, weld and cut underwater, install equipment and recover objects, often in dark, cold water.
A postsecondary commercial diving program is typical. BLS projects about average growth; pay can be high with offshore and saturation work.
Typical duties
- Inspect underwater structures
- Weld and cut underwater
- Install equipment
- Repair docks and pipelines
- Recover objects
- Maintain dive gear
- Work as tender topside
Work environment and schedule
Divers work in harbors, rivers, lakes, dams and offshore.
Schedule: Irregular, project-based schedules with travel.
A day in the life
- Dive briefing.
- Check dive gear.
- Tend another diver.
- Dive to inspect pilings.
See a full day in the life of a commercial diver →
Commercial Diver salary
Half of commercial divers earned more than $72,990 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $43,330 for the lowest 10% to $157,790 for the top 10%.
Full commercial diver pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a commercial diver
- Get fit and pass a dive medical
- Attend commercial diving school
- Work as a tender
- Earn dive time
- Advance
A postsecondary commercial diving program is typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a commercial diver →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Surface-supplied diving
- Underwater welding
- Underwater cutting
- Rigging
- Inspection
People skills
- Calm under pressure
- Teamwork
- Physical fitness
- Communication
All commercial diver skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- High pay potential
- Adventurous work
- Specialized skill
- Travel
Cons
- Serious hazards
- Irregular work
- Cold, dark water
- Time away
Certifications and licenses
- ADCI certification: Association of Diving Contractors.
- AWS underwater welding (D3.6): Welding.
- First aid and DAN O2: Required.
- Dive medical: Required.
Career path
- Tender: Entry.
- Diver: Dive.
- Lead Diver: Lead.
- Dive Supervisor: Run operations.
Learn the job before day one
Our Commercial Diver training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as tend a commercial diver and inspect underwater pilings, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Commercial Diver vs. Welder · Commercial Diver vs. Ship Captain · Commercial Diver vs. Deckhand · Commercial Diver vs. Rigger
Commercial Diver FAQ
Is commercial diving dangerous?
Yes, strict safety rules apply.
Do divers start as tenders?
Usually.
Is pay high?
It can be, especially offshore.
How much does a commercial diver make?
The median annual wage for commercial divers was $72,990 ($35.09 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $43,330 and the highest 10% earned more than $157,790.
How long does it take to become a commercial diver?
Most people need about Diving school plus tending experience of training. A postsecondary commercial diving program is typical.
Do you need a degree to be a commercial diver?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “postsecondary nondegree award” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
More commercial diver questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 49-9092 (Commercial divers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Commercial divers (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.