Commercial Divers Career, Salary and Skills
Commercial Divers have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $72,990 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 3,450. Wage data is published for 28 locations.
Occupation description
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.
O*NET code
49-9092.00
Job zone
3
Typical education
Not recorded
Experience
Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
National salary and employment
Median annual
$72,990
Hourly median
$35.09
Employment
3,450
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Active Listening | 3.62 | 3.62 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.62 | 3.75 |
| Speaking | 3.50 | 3.12 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.50 | 3.50 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.38 | 3.00 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.12 | 3.50 |
| Equipment Maintenance | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Coordination | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Operation and Control | 3.12 | 3.12 |
Typical tasks
- Carry out non-destructive testing, such as tests for cracks on the legs of oil rigs at sea.
- Check and maintain diving equipment, such as helmets, masks, air tanks, harnesses, or gauges.
- Take appropriate safety precautions, such as monitoring dive lengths and depths and registering with authorities before diving expeditions begin.
- 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.
- Inspect and test docks, ships, buoyage systems, plant intakes or outflows, or underwater pipelines, cables, or sewers, using closed circuit television, still photography, and testing equipment.
- Obtain information about diving tasks and environmental conditions.
- Cut and weld steel, using underwater welding equipment, jigs, and supports.
Technology
- Diving logbook software
- Diving table software
- Dynamic positioning DP software
- Remote operated vehicle ROV dive log software
- Web browser software
Commercial Divers salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Commercial Divers Salary in FLMedian $49,640 · Employment 370
- Commercial Divers Salary in CAMedian $101,540 · Employment 310
- Commercial Divers Salary in LAMedian $62,230 · Employment 230
- Commercial Divers Salary in NYMedian $157,800 · Employment 170
- Commercial Divers Salary in CTMedian $59,690 · Employment 120
- Commercial Divers Salary in Houston, TXMedian $50,920 · Employment 100
- Commercial Divers Salary in Virginia Beach, VAMedian $62,820 · Employment 90
- Commercial Divers Salary in Miami, FLMedian $55,440 · Employment 90
- Commercial Divers Salary in VTMedian $85,780 · Employment 80
- Commercial Divers Salary in MIMedian $54,620 · Employment 80
- Commercial Divers Salary in Hartford, CTMedian $59,690 · Employment 70
- Commercial Divers Salary in HIMedian $95,750 · Employment 70
Related careers
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except EnginesNational median $65,510
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment OperatorsNational median $59,850
- Roustabouts, Oil and GasNational median $46,960
- Construction LaborersNational median $47,120
- Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe CleanersNational median $49,880
- Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersNational median $42,360
- Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface MiningNational median $57,430
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and BrazersNational median $53,750
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.