How Much Do Commercial Divers Make?
Commercial Divers work underwater to inspect, repair, install, and remove structures and equipment. Official pay data from the BLS May 2025 wage survey.
Median pay
$72,990
per year
Average (mean)
$88,320
per year
Range · 10th–90th
$43,330 – $157,790
bottom to top earners
The median commercial diver salary is $72,990 per year — 43% above the $50,980 median for all U.S. occupations. About 3,450 people work in this trade nationwide.
Pay by percentile
| Percentile | Annual wage | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $43,330 | Entry level / lowest-paid areas |
| 25th | $54,810 | Early career |
| 50th — median | $72,990 | The typical worker |
| 75th | $101,550 | Experienced |
| 90th | $157,790 | Top earners / highest-paid areas |
Lifetime earnings potential
At today's median wage, here is what a career as a commercial diver adds up to (in constant 2025 dollars, before raises or promotions — a conservative floor, not a projection):
| Career length | At the median ($72,990/yr) | In the top 10% ($157,790/yr) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 years | $729,900 | $1,577,900 |
| 20 years | $1,459,800 | $3,155,800 |
| 30 years | $2,189,700 | $4,733,700 |
Reaching the top 10% instead of the median is worth $2,544,000 over a 30-year career — usually the gap between entry-level work and specialization, licenses, or high-paying states. Compare this trade against any other with the trade comparison tool.
Frequently asked questions
- How much do commercial divers make?
- The median annual wage for commercial divers is $72,990 (BLS OES, May 2025). The middle 50% earn between $54,810 and $101,550.
- What do the top commercial divers earn?
- The top 10% of commercial divers earn $157,790 or more per year, while the bottom 10% earn $43,330 or less.
- Is $72,990 good pay?
- It is 43% above the median for all U.S. occupations ($50,980, BLS May 2025).