How to Get Started as a Commercial Diver – Training, Jobs & Pay

How to Become a Commercial Diver and Launch a High-Paying Underwater Caree

Life’s strange sometimes. One day you’re stuck in traffic, bored and restless. Next thing you know, you’re suiting up on a boat, about to drop into the water for a hard day’s work. That’s commercial diving, not a dream, but a gritty, hands-on job that pays well and gets your heart going.

Let me try to break it down, from the way someone who’s actually been close to that world would describe it. Just what it’s really like to step into this career, and what you’ll need to make it happen.

This Isn't Scuba for Fun

Let’s clear something up right away: commercial diving is nothing like your vacation diving trip with colorful reefs and cute fish. That image? Forget it. Out here, visibility might be a meter at best, you’re covered in gear, and there’s usually a loud generator running on deck somewhere behind you.

What you’re doing underwater might involve welding two thick steel plates together, inspecting a pipeline, or scraping years of marine gunk off a ship’s hull. It’s all hands-on, practical work, and often dirty. But somehow, that’s part of what makes it feel so real.

You’re not just watching life go by, you’re deep in it, literally.

Who Chooses This Life?

The first person I met who worked as a commercial diver was this guy I met at a harbor job. Big hands, quiet, never bragged. One evening over a beer, he told me how he’d started as a deckhand, watched divers go down day after day, and decided, “Why not me?”

It’s not for everyone. The hours drag, the water’s cold or gross, and you’re often far from home. Hate tight spots or dirty work? Then skip it.

But if you’re sharp, hands-on, and don’t mind a mess, this could be your thing.
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Training: Where It Gets Real

Nobody’s born a commercial diver. You have to train. And no, your scuba license from that beach resort won’t cut it.

Most folks go to a commercial diving school. They don’t just show you how to breathe down there. You learn to use tools underwater, handle emergencies, and keep cool when you can’t see a thing.

You’ll learn about decompression, air supply systems, dive planning, and all the legal and safety stuff too. It’s intense. Some people quit halfway. But those who stick it out come out changed.

And yeah, it costs money. You’re investing in yourself here. But the payoff, for many, is worth it.

The Medical Side of Things

Before you even get started, you’ll need to pass a medical exam. They’re not trying to be difficult, it’s just that diving puts your body under serious pressure. Literally.

Bad lungs, heart issues, or inner ear problems? You’ll need to sort those out or reconsider. You also need to be generally fit. Not “gym rat” fit necessarily, but strong enough to haul gear and steady enough to do fine work underwater.

Your mind needs to be in the right place too. If being in the dark or losing your line of sight freaks you out, this will test you. Some people get used to it. Others don’t.

Starting Out: The Hard Part

Nobody starts out doing deep-sea welding in the North Sea. First, you’ll probably work as a “tender.” That’s the person topside who helps the diver gear up, watches their air lines, and makes sure nothing goes wrong.

Sounds boring? Maybe. But it’s the best way to learn. You get to see how the job flows, how the team works, and what not to do.

Eventually, if you’re reliable and show initiative, you’ll get your first shot in the water. Maybe it’s just a hull cleaning. Maybe it’s a short inspection dive. Doesn’t matter. That first time is a moment you won’t forget.

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What Kind of Work Is Out There?

You’d be surprised how varied this job can be.

There’s inland diving, jobs in lakes, rivers, and harbors. These are often construction-related. Think bridge supports, dam maintenance, things like that.

Then there’s offshore diving, usually oil and gas work, or sometimes wind farm stuff. That pays better, but you’ll be out at sea for weeks sometimes.

There’s also what they call contaminated diving, which is exactly what it sounds like. Not glamorous, but very well-paid. And there are also some very technical jobs, like deep saturation diving. Not something you walk into straight away, but some aim for it.

If you’re curious about where to begin, you can always look through actual commercial diver opportunities from Jooble and see what’s out there.

Let's Talk Money

This is one of the reasons people look into this career in the first place. It pays well. Even at the low end, a new diver might earn $300 a day. Get a couple years under your belt, and you could be looking at $800 – $1,000 per day, especially offshore.

That said, it’s not always steady. You might work two weeks straight, then have nothing for a month. It’s feast or famine sometimes, but if you plan well, it works out.

Also, don’t forget about the gear. Some of it’s provided, but if you go freelance, you might need to buy your own suits, helmets, tools. It adds up. But again, the pay tends to justify the expense.

The Lifestyle: It's a Different Rhythm

Commercial divers tend to be a different breed. Not better or worse, just different. They’re practical, often quiet, and have this no-nonsense way of looking at life.

You might work in freezing water one month and be in tropical ports the next. One day you’re sleeping on a barge, the next in a budget hotel. Flexibility is key. And so is a good sense of humor.

Also, it’s a small community. Word gets around fast. If you’re lazy, unsafe, or unreliable, people will hear about it. On the flip side, if you’re solid, people will call you when there’s work. Your name travels.

Is It for You?

This job isn’t for everyone.

Tired of desk life and thinking there’s more? Maybe it’s time to find out.

Sure, getting started takes guts, money, and hard work. But it gives back. Challenge, variety, and that rare feeling of doing something bold. Talk to someone who's done it. You don’t need to decide today, but if the thought won’t leave you alone, maybe there’s a reason.

The water’s out there. Waiting.