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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.
Other titles employers use
Commercial Diver · Diver · Diver Tender · Hard Hat Diver · Non Destructive Testing Under Water Welder (NDT U/W Welder) · Salvage Diver · Tender · Marine Diver
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical, analytical and organizing work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Operations Monitoring
- Speaking
- Quality Control Analysis
- Operation and Control
Subjects to know
- Mechanical
- Building and Construction
- Physics
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mathematics
Useful strengths
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Control Precision
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 4.0 | Arm’s length or closer, most of the day |
| On your feet | 3.8 | Up and down through the day |
| Talking face to face | 4.5 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 4.2 | Handling tools, instruments or materials |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a postsecondary certificate. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A certificate or some college 76%
- A two-year degree 11%
- High school or less 8%
- A four-year degree 5%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Data base user interface and query software
- Analytical or scientific software
- Internet browser software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 630
- Job openings each year
- 60
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- —
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 630 | 60 | — |
| Florida | 540 | 50 | 12.5% |
| Virginia | 260 | 30 | 18.2% |
| Kentucky | 240 | 30 | 14.3% |
| Wisconsin | 160 | 20 | 6.7% |
| Texas | 130 | 10 | 18.2% |
| Washington | 120 | 10 | 9.1% |
| South Carolina | 100 | 10 | 25.0% |
| Ohio | 90 | 10 | — |
| West Virginia | 90 | 10 | 12.5% |
| New Jersey | 80 | 10 | — |
| Vermont | 50 | 0 | 25.0% |
| Indiana | 30 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
United States Merchant Marine Academy
- Degrees each year
- 105
- Admit rate
- 32%
- Annual cost after aid
- —
SUNY Maritime College
- Degrees each year
- 81
- Admit rate
- 79%
- Annual cost after aid
- —
Texas A & M University-College Station
- Degrees each year
- 55
- Admit rate
- 63%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
California State University Maritime Academy
- Degrees each year
- 53
- Admit rate
- 99%
- Annual cost after aid
- —
Massachusetts Maritime Academy
- Degrees each year
- 47
- Admit rate
- 95%
- Annual cost after aid
- $16,000
Maine Maritime Academy
- Degrees each year
- 32
- Admit rate
- 61%
- Annual cost after aid
- —