Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
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.
Top skills:Critical ThinkingOperations MonitoringActive ListeningSpeakingQuality Control AnalysisTime Management
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Commercial Diver pay by experience level
Entry level$45,000
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$56,500
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$75,500
Mid-career median pay
Senior$105,000
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$163,500
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+8.5%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
400
projected openings per year
Growing faster than average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Commercial Diver salary by industry
Administrative and Support Services
1,540 workers
$93,500
Other Support Services
1,540 workers
$93,500
Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
1,010 workers
$109,500
Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
940 workers
$113,000
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
240 workers
$82,500
Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries
180 workers
$41,500
Amusement Parks and Arcades
180 workers
$41,500
Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions
100 workers
$49,500
Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions
100 workers
$49,500
Support Activities for Transportation
70 workers
$97,500
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Commercial Diver make?
The average base salary for a Commercial Diver in the United States is $91,500 per year, or about $43.99 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $56,500 and $105,000 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Installation, Maintenance, and Repair roles?
The Installation, Maintenance, and Repair job family averages $66,500 across 52 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role? WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
Need Commercial Diver pay benchmarked for your organization, or defensible compensation analysis for a dispute or valuation? Grahall builds it from primary sources, backed by an expert who testifies.
