How Much Does a Commercial Diver Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$72,990
Commercial divers in the U.S. earn a median of $72,990 a year, or $35.09 an hour. Half of commercial divers earn more than $72,990 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $157,790.
Pay percentiles for commercial divers
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $20.83 | $43,330 |
| 25th | $26.35 | $54,810 |
| 50th (median) | $35.09 | $72,990 |
| 75th | $48.82 | $101,550 |
| 90th | $75.86 | $157,790 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Commercial Divers (SOC 49-9092). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for commercial divers
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $161,800 | $77.79 | +122% |
| New York | $157,800 | $75.87 | +116% |
| Rhode Island | $126,320 | $60.73 | +73% |
| California | $101,540 | $48.82 | +39% |
| Hawaii | $95,750 | $46.04 | +31% |
| New Jersey | $86,920 | $41.79 | +19% |
| Arizona | $85,990 | $41.34 | +18% |
| Vermont | $85,780 | $41.24 | +18% |
| Indiana | $83,510 | $40.15 | +14% |
| Maine | $74,610 | $35.87 | +2% |
| United States | $72,990 | $35.09 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many commercial divers are there?
BLS counts about 3,450 commercial divers employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). The most jobs are in Florida (370), California (310) and Louisiana (230).
The mean (average) annual wage is $88,320, higher than the median of $72,990.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $6,083
- Biweekly
- $2,807
- Weekly
- $1,404
- Daily (8 hours)
- $281
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do commercial divers make an hour?
The median hourly wage for commercial divers is $35.09. The middle 50% earn between $26.35 and $48.82 an hour.
Which state pays commercial divers the most?
Washington has the highest median wage for commercial divers at $161,800, +122% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for commercial divers?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of commercial divers earn less than $43,330 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.