Construction commercial diver
Also known as: offshore diver, commercial diver, surface supplied diver, saturation diver, underwater welder, scaphandrier
About this occupation
Commercial divers work below the surface of the water to install equipment, such as hydraulic structures, waterways and marine facilities. They also inspect, remove and repair the structures.
Essential skills and knowledge
- implement dive plans
- diving operation requirements
- weld underwater
- diving equipment
- work ergonomically
- follow health and safety procedures in construction
- use rigging equipment
- cope with decompression
- comply with the planned time for the depth of the dive
- keep records of work progress
- use lift bags
- weld in hyperbaric conditions
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Commercial Divers (O*NET 49-9092.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Check and maintain diving equipment, such as helmets, masks, air tanks, harnesses, or gauges.
- Take appropriate safety precautions, such as monitoring dive lengths and depths and registering with authorities before diving expeditions begin.
- 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.
- 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.
- Obtain information about diving tasks and environmental conditions.
- Preparation
- Job Zone 3 of 5
- Interests
- Realistic, Investigative, Conventional
Top skills: Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Speaking, Operations Monitoring, Quality Control Analysis, Reading Comprehension
US median pay: US$72,990 a year (2025), 3,450 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- MetalworkO*NET: MechanicalExtremely important (4.6)
- WoodworkO*NET: Building and ConstructionVery important (4.1)
- PhysicsO*NET: PhysicsVery important (3.7)
- Technical DrawingO*NET: DesignImportant (3.5)
- Design and TechnologyO*NET: Design + Engineering and TechnologyImportant (3.4)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsImportant (3.3)
- Government and PoliticsO*NET: Law and GovernmentImportant (3.0)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Riggers
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
- Ship Engineers
- Sailors and Marine Oilers
- Boilermakers
- Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas
- Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas
- Dredge Operators
- Hoist and Winch Operators
- Pipelayers
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.