Commercial Divers: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair · SOC 49-9092 · O*NET 49-9092.00
Commercial Divers fall under the Installation, Maintenance, and Repair category in the U.S. occupational classification. Commercial Divers earn a median salary of $61,130 per year, ranking in the top 46% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +8.5% job growth through 2034, projected to grow faster than the US average. Entry into this field typically requires an apprenticeship, technical certification, or postsecondary training, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.
What do commercial divers earn?
The median annual wage for commercial divers is $61,130. That puts commercial divers at #374 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is above the U.S. median for individual workers and reflects a stable, credentialed occupation. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.
Is commercial divers a growing career?
The 10-year outlook for commercial divers is +8.5%, projected to grow faster than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 4K positions in 2024 to 4K in 2034, a net change of 0K. Faster-than-average growth means hiring is consistently outpacing the labor market overall. New entrants generally find their first roles faster than peers in stable fields.
What education does my child need to become commercial diver?
Commercial Divers typically enter the field through a formal apprenticeship, technical certification, or vocational training program — a strong fit for teens who prefer hands-on learning over traditional college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.
Related careers your child might also consider
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay$100,940 median
- Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers$92,560 median
- Signal and Track Switch Repairers$83,600 median
- Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment$82,730 median
- Avionics Technicians$81,390 median
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians$78,680 median
How parents help teens explore careers like this
Solyo helps parents map a teen's interests to specific careers, then back to the colleges and majors that lead there. Salary, outlook, and education data come from BLS and O*NET — the same sources high school counselors use — but presented for the parent's planning lens, not the student's exploration view.
Common questions parents ask about commercial divers
What is the median salary for commercial divers?
The median annual salary for commercial divers is $61,130 according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Is commercial divers a growing career?
BLS projects +8.5% growth for commercial divers from 2024 through 2034, which is fast growth projected to grow faster than the US average.
What education does my child need to become commercial diver?
The typical entry path requires an apprenticeship, technical certification, or postsecondary training, plus any state licensure or certification specific to the role. Programs that align well with this career can be filtered inside Solyo's college search.
What careers are similar to commercial divers?
Related occupations within the Installation, Maintenance, and Repair category share education paths and skill profiles, so they're a useful starting set when a teen is uncertain. The "Related careers" section below lists nearby options.
Salary data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics program. Skills, tasks, and education distribution from the O*NET database. Job outlook from the BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 release.