Commercial Divers
Architecture & Construction · Maintenance/Operations
Pay and outlook shown for
New workers start near $33,050; experienced workers reach $62,510
Job outlook
U.S. projection, 2024 to 2034.
- Employment change
- +9%
- Openings a year
- 400
- Employed in 2024
- 4,200
Typical entry education: Postsecondary nondegree award · Training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Alamo Colleges programs that lead here
No program is mapped to this career yet. Many careers start from a transfer pre-major or a related program.
Browse all programsSkills this career uses
The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.
- Critical Thinking3.8
- Active Listening3.6
- Operations Monitoring3.6
- Speaking3.4
- Quality Control Analysis3.3
- Operation and Control3.1
- Time Management3.1
- Reading Comprehension3.5
What the work is
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.
- Communicate with workers on the surface while underwater, using signal lines or telephones.
- 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.
- Descend into water with the aid of diver helpers, using scuba gear or diving suits.
- Obtain information about diving tasks and environmental conditions.
- 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.
Education people in this job have
Share of workers by highest education, from O*NET surveys. It shows what others did, not what you must do.
- High school or less8%
- Certificate72%
- Some college3%
- Associate degree12%
- Bachelor's degree5%
Job zone 3, medium preparation: Training, an associate degree, or a few years of related experience.
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