DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA
49-9092 Commercial Divers
Occupational Description:
Work below surface of water, using surface-supplied air or scuba equipment to inspect, repair, remove, or install equipment and structures. May use a variety of power and hand tools, such as drills, sledgehammers, torches, and welding equipment. May conduct tests or experiments, rig explosives, or photograph structures or marine life. Excludes ?Athletes and Sports Competitors? (27-2021), ?Police and Sheriff?s Patrol Officers? (33-3051), and ?Fishing and Hunting Workers? (45-3031).Percentiles | |||||||||
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Geography | Employment | Emp SE* | Mean | Mean SE* | 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
U S | 3,420 | 404 | $32.74/hr | $1.93/hr | $15.84/hr | $19.76/hr | $24.39/hr | $33.67/hr | $58.46/hr |
*SE = Standard error, a measure of the statistical reliability of the estimate. |
Occupation (click title for details) | OES | Projections | |
---|---|---|---|
Employment | Median Wage | % Change 2023 - 2025 | |
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | 9,950 | $36.21/hr | 4.2% |
Fallers | N/A | $22.36/hr | N/A |
Tasks for Commercial Divers
- Descends into water with aid of diver helper, using scuba gear or diving suit.
- Cuts and welds steel using underwater welding equipment.
- Repairs ships and other structures below the water line, using caulk, bolts, and hand tools.
- Levels rails, using wedges and maul or sledgehammer.
- Photographs underwater structures or marine life.
- Drills holes in rock and rigs explosives for underwater demolitions.
- Sets or guides placement of pilings and sandbags to provide support for structures, such as docks, bridges, cofferdams, and platforms.
- Removes obstructions from strainers and marine railway or launching ways, using pneumatic and power hand tools.
- Communicates with surface while underwater by signal line or telephone.
- Searches for lost or sunken objects, such as bodies, torpedoes, equipment, and ships.
- Recovers objects by placing rigging around sunken objects and hooking rigging to crane lines.
- Inspects docks, hulls and propellers of ships, and underwater pipelines, cables, and sewers.