Commercial Diver
SOC 49-9092.00 · ESCO 7541
Role snapshot
Overview
Commercial Divers work underwater to inspect, repair, and maintain structures like bridges, pipelines, and ship hulls. Each dive involves careful planning, physical endurance, and the use of specialised tools in low-visibility conditions. They operate in diverse environments, from inland waters to offshore oil rigs, performing tasks that require precision, problem-solving, and strict adherence to safety protocols.
Ensures the integrity and safety of critical underwater infrastructure, supports energy production, maritime operations, and environmental protection through specialized maintenance and construction tasks.
On the job
- Conduct underwater inspections using cameras and sonar equipment.
- Perform welding, cutting, and rigging operations on subsea structures.
- Maintain and repair pipelines, cables, and other marine equipment.
- Operate and monitor diving equipment, including surface-supplied air systems and saturation diving gear.
- Adhere to strict safety protocols and emergency procedures in hazardous underwater environments.
Tools & technology
Average salary
Job outlook
StableDemand is steady. This is an established role with consistent hiring across sectors.
Education & training
Specialised commercial diving certifications and often a high school diploma or equivalent are required. Advanced roles may benefit from technical degrees.
AI impact outlook
Note — this is our current view. AI is moving fast, so we revisit these ratings.
Show how this was assessed Hide the detail
Note — this is our current view. AI is moving fast, so we revisit these ratings.
Show how this was assessed Hide the detailWhy this role received this rating
Core task exposure
low
How much of the role’s important work could AI perform?
The core tasks of underwater welding, cutting, and rigging are highly physical, complex, and require human manipulation in challenging environments, with minimal direct AI exposure.
End-to-end automation
low
Can AI complete the work without substantial human involvement?
The extreme and unpredictable underwater environment, combined with the need for intricate physical work and real-time problem-solving, prevents full end-to-end automation.
Adoption pressure
low
How likely are employers to introduce AI into this work?
While AI can enhance data analysis from underwater inspections, the high cost, technical limitations, and safety requirements mean AI adoption for physical tasks remains low.
Human dependence
strong
How much does success depend on human judgement, relationships and accountability?
Success critically depends on the diver's physical endurance, expert manual skills, real-time problem-solving under pressure, and ultimate accountability for safety in hazardous conditions.
Protective — a higher rating lowers the overall score.
Role adaptability
moderate
How easily can the role evolve as AI takes on more tasks?
The role can adapt by integrating with remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) for inspection, specializing in complex repairs, or overseeing advanced subsea systems.
Shown for context — not part of the score.
What AI may take on
These are the parts of the role most likely to be automated or significantly accelerated.
- Analyze sonar and camera data for defect identification on structures
- Predict maintenance schedules for subsea infrastructure
- Assist with dive planning and risk assessment simulations
- Manage inventory for diving equipment and spare parts
Where people remain essential
These parts continue to depend heavily on human judgement, relationships and accountability.
- Perform underwater welding and cutting operations
- Execute complex rigging and heavy lift operations subsea
- Inspect structures with subjective judgment in low visibility
- Troubleshoot mechanical issues and perform repairs in situ
- Adhere to strict safety protocols and emergency procedures
- Maintain and operate complex diving and life-support equipment
- Adapt to unpredictable currents, visibility, and environmental factors
How the role may evolve
From primary inspector/operator to overseeing advanced robotic systems.
Commercial divers will increasingly collaborate with and manage autonomous inspection tools, focusing their human expertise on complex physical interventions, repairs, and critical decision-making in hazardous environments.
Strengthen your future fit
- Proficiency in operating and maintaining ROVs/AUVs
- Developing advanced underwater welding and repair techniques
- Enhancing problem-solving and critical decision-making under pressure
- Mastering advanced diving technologies and safety protocols
- Improving communication and teamwork skills in extreme environments
- Assessment horizon
- 3–7 years
- Confidence
- High
- Last reviewed
- August 2026
- Methodology
- v1.0
This assessment reflects current AI capabilities and expected adoption patterns. Actual impacts will vary by industry, employer and the way each role is performed.
Career pathways
WHERE YOU COULD GO
CURRENT ROLE
Commercial Diver
Skilled Trades
ADJACENT MOVES
STARTING POINTS
Who thrives here
Interest profile
realistic · RIC
Individuals who enjoy practical, hands-on work with tools and machinery, combined with intellectual challenges and methodical problem-solving in structured environments, will find this role rewarding.
Personality characteristics
Detail-oriented
Exhibits meticulous attention to detail in planning, executing, and documenting complex underwater tasks, crucial for safety and project success.
Calm under pressure
Maintains composure and clear thinking in high-stress, hazardous underwater environments and during emergencies.
Systematic thinker
Approaches problems with a logical and methodical mindset, essential for diagnosing issues and implementing solutions underwater.
Practical
Prefers hands-on work with tools and equipment, focusing on tangible results and effective problem-solving in the physical world.
Independent
Capable of working effectively with minimal direct supervision and making critical decisions autonomously while submerged.
Reliable team player
A dependable and trustworthy member of a diving team, consistently fulfilling responsibilities to ensure collective safety and project completion.
Best for
- Individuals who are highly disciplined, technically adept, and comfortable with physically demanding work in isolated or challenging environments.
- Those who find satisfaction in hands-on problem-solving and maintaining critical infrastructure.
Watch out for
- Can be physically demanding and involve long periods away from home.
- Work often occurs in hazardous and challenging conditions, requiring constant vigilance and resilience.
A week in the life
A representative working week for a Commercial Diver — where the deep work, meetings, and admin actually land.
Real people. Real results.
Thousands of people
can't be wrong.
Frequently asked questions about Commercial Diver roles
What does a Commercial Diver do?
A Commercial Diver commercial Divers work underwater to inspect, repair, and maintain structures like bridges, pipelines, and ship hulls. Each dive involves careful planning, physical endurance, and the use of specialised tools in low-visibility conditions. They operate in diverse environments, from inland waters to offshore oil rigs, performing tasks that require precision, problem-solving, and strict adherence to safety protocols. Ensures the integrity and safety of critical underwater infrastructure, supports energy production, maritime operations, and environmental protection through specialized maintenance and construction tasks.
How much does a Commercial Diver earn?
A Commercial Diver earns a median of $75,000 per year in the US, typically ranging from $50,000 to $120,000.
What qualifications do you need to become a Commercial Diver?
To become a Commercial Diver, specialised commercial diving certifications and often a high school diploma or equivalent are required. Advanced roles may benefit from technical degrees. Commercial Diver Certification (e.g., ADCI, HSE).
What personality suits a Commercial Diver?
Commercial Diver roles tend to suit people who are highly conscientious — precise, organised and strong on follow-through (Conscientiousness 84/100) and steady under pressure — deadlines and setbacks do not rattle them easily (Emotional Stability 75/100). The traits that matter most in the role are Detail-oriented, Calm under pressure, Systematic thinker and Practical. Exhibits meticulous attention to detail in planning, executing, and documenting complex underwater tasks, crucial for safety and project success. On interests, Commercial Diver maps to a RIC Holland Code profile — individuals who enjoy practical, hands-on work with tools and machinery, combined with intellectual challenges and methodical problem-solving in structured environments, will find this role rewarding.
Who does a Commercial Diver role suit?
A Commercial Diver role is usually a strong fit for these reasons. Strong Realistic and Investigative alignment: the role demands practical skills, problem-solving, and working with complex equipment. Requires high Conscientiousness for strict adherence to safety protocols and detailed execution. The work environment is highly structured, appealing to those who thrive on clear procedures and responsibilities.
What are the downsides of being a Commercial Diver?
Commercial Diver roles come with trade-offs worth weighing up. Can be physically demanding and involve long periods away from home. Work often occurs in hazardous and challenging conditions, requiring constant vigilance and resilience.
What is the work environment like for a Commercial Diver?
Work as a Commercial Diver is mostly outdoors-based with onsite arrangements common, highly structured, with set processes and deadlines, a moderate pace and medium exposure to clients or stakeholders. Around 84% of the week is focused deep work.
What skills do you need to be a Commercial Diver?
Core skills for a Commercial Diver include Underwater Welding, Subsea Inspection, Rigging, Emergency Procedures, Pressure Management and Team Communication.
How do you become a Commercial Diver?
Common entry routes into Commercial Diver roles include Tender, Diver Trainee and Military Diver.
What career progression is there for a Commercial Diver?
From a Commercial Diver role, common next steps include Dive Supervisor, Project Manager (Subsea) and Offshore Construction Manager; lateral moves include Underwater Robotics Operator.
What is the job outlook for Commercial Diver roles?
The outlook for Commercial Diver roles is currently rated stable. Demand is steady. This is an established role with consistent hiring across sectors.
Will AI replace Commercial Diver roles?
Traitstack rates automation risk for Commercial Diver roles at 16 out of 100, which is low. AI can assist with underwater inspection data analysis, but the diver's essential role in hazardous physical repair, welding, and rigging remains fundamentally human. AI is most likely to take on analyze sonar and camera data for defect identification on structures, predict maintenance schedules for subsea infrastructure and assist with dive planning and risk assessment simulations. Perform underwater welding and cutting operations, execute complex rigging and heavy lift operations subsea and inspect structures with subjective judgment in low visibility stay with people. From primary inspector/operator to overseeing advanced robotic systems. That score measures how much of the work could change, not the likelihood the job disappears. It is Traitstack's current view, revisited as AI capability moves.