CFChooseField
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair

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.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Commercial Divers
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Median pay

$61,130
Median annual pay for Commercial Divers.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

8.5%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

400
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

4,200
Estimated U.S. employment for Commercial Divers in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+400
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

Postsecondary nondegree award
Typical additional preparation: Moderate-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Critical Thinking
  2. 2Active Listening
  3. 3Speaking
  4. 4Reading Comprehension
  5. 5Monitoring
  6. 6Active Learning

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Mechanical
  2. 2Building and Construction
  3. 3Physics
  4. 4Customer and Personal Service
  5. 5Mathematics
  6. 6Public Safety and Security

Abilities

  1. 1Oral Comprehension
  2. 2Arm-Hand Steadiness
  3. 3Oral Expression
  4. 4Problem Sensitivity
  5. 5Control Precision
  6. 6Multilimb Coordination

Career interests

  1. 1Realistic
  2. 2Investigative
  3. 3Conventional
  4. 4Enterprising
  5. 5Artistic
  6. 6Social

Work styles

  1. 1Dependability
  2. 2Attention to Detail
  3. 3Cautiousness
  4. 4Stress Tolerance
  5. 5Self-Control
  6. 6Perseverance

Work activities

  1. 1Performing General Physical Activities
  2. 2Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  3. 3Handling and Moving Objects
  4. 4Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  5. 5Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  6. 6Getting Information

Work context

  1. 1Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
  2. 2Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
  3. 3Contact With Others
  4. 4Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  5. 5Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
  6. 6Health and Safety of Other Workers

Representative tasks

  • 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.
  • Inspect the condition of underwater steel or wood structures.
  • 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.

Software and tools

Diving logbook softwareDiving table softwareDynamic positioning DP softwareRemote operated vehicle ROV dive log softwareWeb browser software

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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