Salary guide
Commercial Diver Salary & Pay Scale (2026)
What commercial divers earn per year, per hour and per month, with the full percentile range, the factors that move pay and how to earn more.
The median commercial diver salary in the U.S. is $72,990 per year, or $35.09 per hour, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $43,330, while the top 10% earned more than $157,790.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
Commercial Diver pay scale
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly* | What it usually reflects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $43,330 | $20.83 | Typical for new workers, part-time markets and lower-paying settings |
| 25th percentile | $54,810 | $26.35 | Early career, a year or two of experience |
| Median (50th) | $72,990 | $35.09 | Mid-career: half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $101,550 | $48.82 | Experienced workers, specialists and higher-paying employers |
| 90th percentile | $157,790 | $75.86 | Top earners: senior, specialized, supervisory or high-cost areas |
*Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. Percentile descriptions are general patterns, not guarantees.
Monthly and biweekly pay
| Pay period | At 25th percentile | At median | At 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per year | $54,810 | $72,990 | $101,550 |
| Per month | $4,568 | $6,083 | $8,463 |
| Every two weeks | $2,108 | $2,807 | $3,906 |
| Per week | $1,054 | $1,404 | $1,953 |
Gross pay before taxes and deductions.
What affects commercial diver pay
- Union versus non-union employment and local wage agreements
- License level (apprentice, journeyworker, master or contractor)
- Overtime, per diem and travel work
- Specialization (industrial, commercial, renewable energy, high voltage)
- Geography and cost of living: metropolitan areas and some states pay well above the national median
How to earn more as a commercial diver
- Get credentialed: ADCI certification, AWS underwater welding (D3.6), First aid and DAN O2.
- Build specialty experience: Dive.
- Move up: roles such as lead diver and dive supervisor typically pay more.
- Negotiate: research local pay and use our salary negotiation guide.
Commercial Diver pay vs. related careers
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of commercial divers to change by +4.8% from 2025–35, about as fast as average compared with the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 400 openings are projected each year, on average, including openings to replace workers who retire or change occupations.
About this data
Figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025), which covers wage and salary workers nationwide under SOC code 49-9092 (“Commercial divers”). Wages exclude self-employment income, overtime and most bonuses unless they are part of regular pay. We refresh these numbers when BLS releases new estimates each spring.
Commercial Diver salary FAQ
How much does a commercial diver make per hour?
The median hourly wage for commercial divers was $35.09 in May 2025 (BLS). Hourly pay for the lowest 10% was about $20.83 and the top 10% earned about $75.86 or more.
How much does a commercial diver make a month?
At the median annual wage of $72,990, that works out to about $6,083 per month before taxes, or about $2,807 every two weeks.
What is the starting salary for a commercial diver?
New commercial divers often start near the lower end of the range. The 10th percentile was $43,330 and the 25th percentile was $54,810 per year in May 2025. Starting pay depends on location, employer and credentials.
How can commercial divers earn more?
Common ways include earning ADCI certification and AWS underwater welding (D3.6), gaining specialty experience, taking shifts or roles with premium pay, and moving up the career ladder to roles such as lead diver.
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.