What You Need to Know About Commercial Diver
Commercial Diver Example 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.
Commercial Diver Responsibilities
- Set up dive sites for recreational instruction.
- Take appropriate safety precautions, such as monitoring dive lengths and depths and registering with authorities before diving expeditions begin.
- Supervise or train other divers, including hobby divers.
- Salvage wrecked ships or their cargo, using pneumatic power velocity and hydraulic tools and explosive charges, when necessary.
- Operate underwater video, sonar, recording, or related equipment to investigate underwater structures or marine life.
- Take test samples or photographs to assess the condition of vessels or structures.
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Skills Needed to be a Commercial Diver
These are the skills Commercial Divers say are the most useful in their careers:
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.
Related Job Titles
- Non Destructive Testing Underwater Welder (NDT U/W Welder)
- Hard Hat Diver
- Aquarium Diver
- Tender
- Non Destructive Testing Under Water Welder (NDT U/W Welder)
Is There Going to be 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. There will be an estimated 400 positions for Commercial Diver per year.

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.
Commercial Diver Average Salary
The typical yearly salary for Commercial Divers is somewhere between $30,810 and $108,170.

Commercial Divers who work in Alaska, New Jersey, or Alabama, make the highest salaries.
How much do Commercial Divers make in each U.S. state?
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 do Commercial Divers Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Commercial Divers may use on a daily basis:
- Web browser software
How do I Become a Commercial Diver?
Learn what Commercial Diver education requirements there are.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Commercial Diver?

Who Employs Commercial Divers?

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those who work as a Commercial Diver sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
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More about our data sources and methodologies.
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