Skilled Trades
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.
Median salary (BLS)
$72,990
10th–90th percentile (BLS)
$43k – $158k
Job outlook
+9% (faster than average)
AI exposure
Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $70,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.
Plan a path to Commercial Divers
Education
Typical entry: No degree (trade/license)
Plan my path to this →Typical progression
Junior Commercial Divers
Entry / Junior
$43,330
~2 yrs to advance
Commercial Divers
Established
$72,990
~3 yrs to advance
Senior Commercial Divers
Senior
$115,390
Key skills
A typical day
- •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.
Fields of study
Any field
Top colleges for Skilled Trades
Explore all- Purdue University50% admit · $78,000 grad pay
- Ohio State University53% admit · $68,000 grad pay
- Pennsylvania State University55% admit · $70,000 grad pay
Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.