The average salary for a commercial diver in the United States is around $72,990 per year.
Avg Salary
Commercial divers earn an average yearly salary of $72,990.
Wages typically start from $43,330 and go up to $157,790.
26% above national average Updated in 2025
Commercial diver earnings by seniority
90th percentile
Top-level commercial diver earnings begin at:
$75.86 per hour
$157,790 per year
75th percentile
Senior-level commercial diver earnings begin at:
$48.82 per hour
$101,550 per year
50th percentile
Mid-level commercial diver earnings begin at:
$35.09 per hour
$72,990 per year
25th percentile
Junior-level commercial diver earnings begin at:
$26.35 per hour
$54,810 per year
10th percentile
Starting level commercial diver earnings begin at:
$20.83 per hour
$43,330 per year
Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.
Commercial diver salary by state
| State Name | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $95,750 |
| New Jersey | $86,920 |
| Arizona | $85,990 |
| Vermont | $85,780 |
| Indiana | $83,510 |
| Alaska | $78,480 |
| Maine | $74,610 |
| Kentucky | $63,550 |
| Missouri | $63,030 |
| Virginia | $62,340 |
| Louisiana | $62,230 |
| Alabama | $59,750 |
| Connecticut | $59,690 |
| New Hampshire | $57,910 |
| Michigan | $54,620 |
| Florida | $49,640 |
| South Carolina | $49,260 |
| Maryland | $46,570 |
| Texas | $46,490 |
| Tennessee | $40,840 |
| North Carolina | $37,590 |
| Ohio | $35,820 |
| Washington | $161,800 |
| New York | $157,800 |
| Rhode Island | $126,320 |
| California | $101,540 |
How do commercial diver salaries compare to similar careers?
Commercial divers earn 7% less than similar careers in the United States. On average, they make less than naval architects but more than surveyors.
| Career | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Naval architect salary | $112K |
| Elevator mechanic salary | $110K |
| Architect salary | $99K |
| Power plant operator salary | $102K |
| Aviation inspector salary | $92K |
| Commercial diver salary | $73K |
| Aircraft mechanic salary | $80K |
| Avionics technician salary | $82K |
| Marine electrician salary | $85K |
| Surveyor salary | $75K |
Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)