Commercial divers
Work below surface of water, using surface-supplied air or scuba equipment 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 divers work below surface of water, using surface-supplied air or scuba equipment 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. The role reports a median annual salary of $61,130 in the US and is projected to grow 8% over the next decade (faster than average). Entry typically requires a Postsecondary nondegree award, and shows low AI exposure (0.29 on a 0-1 scale) — the role's core work resists automation. The most in-demand skills for the role include diving operation requirements, diving equipment, weld in hyperbaric conditions, work ergonomically, inspect construction supplies.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £34,822 a year for Construction and building trades n.e.c. (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
Middle half of full-time jobs: £28,235 to £44,552 a year
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 5319). ONS rates this estimate precise. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Craft and related trades workers” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only Commercial divers, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 7. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Mechanical
- Building and Construction
- Physics
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mathematics
- Public Safety and Security
- Education and Training
- English Language
What you'd actually do
- Take appropriate safety precautions, such as monitoring dive lengths and depths and registering with authorities before diving expeditions begin.
- Check and maintain diving equipment, such as helmets, masks, air tanks, harnesses, or gauges.
- Communicate with workers on the surface while underwater, using signal lines or telephones.
- Descend into water with the aid of diver helpers, using scuba gear or diving suits.
- Obtain information about diving tasks and environmental conditions.
- Supervise or train other divers, including hobby divers.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Commercial divers do?
Work below surface of water, using surface-supplied air or scuba equipment 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.
How much does Commercial divers earn?
The median annual salary for Commercial divers in the US is $61,130.
What is the job outlook for Commercial divers?
The role is projected to grow 8% over the next decade (faster than average). Current US employment is approximately 4,200 workers.
How do I become commercial divers?
The typical entry education is a Postsecondary nondegree award. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Commercial divers need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include diving operation requirements, diving equipment, weld in hyperbaric conditions, work ergonomically, inspect construction supplies, comply with the planned time for the depth of the dive. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Commercial divers?
Our AI-durability model gives Commercial divers a score of 0.29 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at low AI exposure — the role's core work resists current-generation automation. It's a comparatively AI-durable choice within its field.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Commercial divers has low barrier to entry — generally accessible — you can enter with basic credentials and on-the-job learning.