How much does a commercial diver make?
The median commercial diver in the United States earns $61,130 per year, about $29.39 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all commercial divers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 49-9092.
Commercial diver salary range
Pay for commercial divers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $39,130 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $152,580. The average (mean) wage of $78,110 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $39,130 | $18.81 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $49,370 | $23.74 | |
| Median (50th) | $61,130 | $29.39 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $93,840 | $45.11 | |
| 90th percentile | $152,580 | $73.36 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for commercial divers (SOC 49-9092), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Commercial diver salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Commercial divers earn the most in New York at $153,990 a year, and the least in South Carolina at $48,010. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $153,990 | 200 |
| Washington | $117,210 | 100 |
| Vermont | $98,610 | N/A |
| New Jersey | $94,820 | N/A |
| Hawaii | $94,710 | 40 |
| Wisconsin | $85,310 | 50 |
| Virginia | $79,090 | 120 |
| Indiana | $78,680 | 60 |
| Maine | $72,800 | 140 |
| Missouri | $61,420 | N/A |
| California | $61,100 | N/A |
| Connecticut | $58,170 | 160 |
| Texas | $56,340 | 250 |
| West Virginia | $55,680 | N/A |
| Florida | $52,680 | 570 |
| Michigan | $52,360 | N/A |
| Louisiana | $48,550 | 350 |
| South Carolina | $48,010 | N/A |
State median wages for commercial divers (SOC 49-9092), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for commercial divers
The BLS projects employment of commercial divers to grow 4.8% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 4,000 jobs in 2025 moving toward 4,200 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 400 openings a year for commercial divers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a commercial diver
The typical entry-level education for commercial divers is a postsecondary nondegree award, such as a certificate, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a commercial diver earns
Certifications, the type of equipment worked on, employer, and region drive most of the pay difference. Flat-rate pay and overtime can push experienced techs well above the median.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (New York, $153,990) and the lowest (South Carolina, $48,010) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 3,430 people work as commercial divers in the United States. At $61,130 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Commercial diver salary FAQ
How much does a commercial diver make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a commercial diver is $29.39. The middle half of commercial divers earn between $23.74 and $45.11 per hour.
What is the highest commercial diver salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of commercial divers earn more than $152,580 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a commercial diver make a year?
The median annual salary for a commercial diver is $61,130. The average (mean) wage of $78,110 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a commercial diver a well paid job?
At $61,130 a year, a commercial diver earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 3,430 people work as commercial divers in the United States.
Which state pays commercial divers the most?
New York has the highest median salary for commercial divers at $153,990 a year. Washington ($117,210) and Vermont ($98,610) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a commercial diver a good career?
Employment of commercial divers is projected to grow 4.8% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 400 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a commercial diver?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for commercial divers as a postsecondary nondegree award, such as a certificate, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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