Career comparison
Commercial Diver vs. Rigger
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Commercial divers earn more at the median ($72,990 vs. $62,640), while riggers usually get to work faster (Months of training of training). Commercial divers work underwater to build, inspect and repair docks, pipelines and structures. Riggers plan and rig heavy lifts for cranes, machinery moves and construction.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Commercial Diver | Rigger | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $72,990 ($35.09/hr) | $62,640 ($30.12/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $43,330 – $157,790 | $40,680 – $97,850 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +4.8% (about as fast as average) | +3.9% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 400 | 1,700 |
| Typical entry education | Postsecondary nondegree award | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | Diving school plus tending experience | Months of training |
| Key credential | ADCI certification | NCCCO Rigger Level I and II |
| Work setting | Divers work in harbors, rivers, lakes, dams and offshore.. | Riggers work on construction sites, plants and ports.. |
What each job does
Commercial Diver
- Inspect underwater structures
- Weld and cut underwater
- Install equipment
- Repair docks and pipelines
- Recover objects
Rigger
- Plan lifts
- Calculate weights
- Select rigging
- Attach loads
- Signal operators
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, working outdoors, and teamwork. Both are part of the skilled trades & construction field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose commercial diver if…
- I love the water
- I stay calm in danger
- I’m physically fit
Choose rigger if…
- I like math and physics
- I stay calm
- I communicate clearly
Still torn? Take the Commercial Diver fit quiz and the Rigger fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, commercial diver or rigger?
Commercial Divers earn more at the median: $72,990 versus $62,640 for riggers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Riggers typically train faster (Months of training) than commercial divers (Diving school plus tending experience).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects commercial divers to grow +4.8% from 2025–35, compared with +3.9% for riggers.