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Certified Diver Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

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Certified Diver information

See Riverside, CA salary details

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$24

$46

How much do certified diver jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for certified diver in Riverside, CA is $24.87, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.05 and $26.59 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a certified diver?

A Certified Diver is an individual who has completed a recognized scuba diving training program and has been awarded a certification card, commonly known as a 'C-card.' This certification demonstrates that the diver has acquired the necessary knowledge and skills to safely participate in recreational diving activities. Certified Divers are trained in underwater navigation, equipment use, and emergency procedures. Certification is typically provided by organizations such as PADI, NAUI, or SSI, and is often required to dive at most locations or to rent diving equipment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a certified diver?

To thrive as a Certified Diver, you need formal diving certification (such as PADI or NAUI), strong swimming skills, and a solid understanding of underwater safety and navigation. Familiarity with scuba equipment, dive computers, and safety protocols is essential, and additional specialty certifications (like rescue or deep diving) are advantageous. Excellent communication, calmness under pressure, and strong teamwork make a diver stand out, especially when coordinating with dive partners or groups. These skills and qualifications are crucial to ensure personal safety, effective teamwork, and successful underwater operations in various environments.

What are some common challenges certified divers face when working on commercial diving projects?

Certified divers working on commercial projects often encounter challenges such as adapting to varying underwater conditions, managing limited visibility, and handling heavy or specialized equipment. Coordination with topside teams is crucial to ensure safety and effective communication, especially during complex tasks like underwater welding or inspections. Divers must also remain vigilant about their physical fitness and adhere strictly to safety protocols to mitigate the risks associated with decompression sickness and prolonged exposure to underwater environments.

What is the difference between Certified Diver vs Commercial Diver?

AspectCertified Diver
Required CertificationsOpen Water Diver Certification, Advanced Diver Certification
Work EnvironmentRecreational diving, tourism, underwater photography
Employer & Industry UsageTourism companies, dive shops, recreational resorts

Certified Divers focus on recreational diving with standard certifications, working mainly in tourism and leisure settings. Commercial Divers, by contrast, require specialized certifications and work in industrial, construction, or underwater repair environments. The key difference lies in the scope of work, certifications, and industry applications.

How do you become a certified diver?

To become a certified diver, you must complete a training course from a recognized organization such as PADI or NAUI, which includes classroom instruction, confined water training, and open water dives. You need to pass written and practical assessments and typically be at least 10-12 years old, with good health and swimming ability. Certification allows you to dive independently within certain depth limits and conditions.

What jobs can you do as a certified diver?

Certified divers can work in various roles such as underwater construction, marine research, commercial diving, underwater inspection, salvage, and underwater photography. These jobs often require specialized skills, equipment, and safety training, and may involve working in challenging environments or irregular schedules.

What job categories do people searching Certified Diver jobs in Riverside, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Certified Diver jobs in Riverside, CA are:

What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Certified Diver jobs?

Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Certified Diver job openings:

Infographic showing various Certified Diver job openings in Riverside, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $51,722 per year, or $24.9 per hour.

Aircrew Rescue Swimmer & Navy Diver

US Navy

Jurupa Valley, CA

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Re-posted 10 days ago


United States Navy rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 380 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

42nd of 49 rated military and defense


Job description

Job Title: Aircrew Rescue Swimmer & Navy Diver
Category / Component: Enlisted • Active
Overview
Join an elite community that operates in the air and under the sea as an enlisted aircrew member and Navy diver, performing helicopter sea rescues and underwater search, salvage, repair, and demolition to support carrier and expeditionary strike groups, mine countermeasures, special operations, and joint partners worldwide.
Key Responsibilities
Operate as enlisted aircrew during flight operations; perform helicopter sea rescues and provide advanced first aid; execute underwater search, salvage, harbor clearance, and security missions; inspect, cut, weld, and repair ships and submarines; conduct deep and saturation diving using SCUBA, surface supplied and mixed gas systems, and rebreathers; operate and supervise hyperbaric chamber treatments; plan and conduct demolition; maintain and repair specialized flight, survival, and diving equipment while managing records and readiness.
What to Expect
Highly physical, safety critical missions with rigorous performance standards; frequent operations in demanding environments such as heavy seas, cold and low visibility waters, flight lines, ship decks, and austere field sites; continuous training and qualification sustainment, with rapid shifts between precise technical tasks and field operations; small team culture that requires attention to detail, calm under pressure, and strong leadership potential.
Work Environment
Worldwide assignments at sea and ashore with aviation squadrons, fleet replacement units, and expeditionary detachments; work in flight operations areas, rescue training pools, ocean training sites, dive lockers, recompression chambers, shipyards, ranges, and forward locations; frequent work aboard carriers and auxiliaries, on piers and flight decks, and alongside joint and interagency partners.
Pathways, Training & Advancement
Recruit Training followed by Naval Aircrew Candidate School in Pensacola; Rescue Swimmer preparatory and Rescue Swimmer School for those in that specialty; Class A School in an assigned aircrew rating pipeline such as AWF, AWO, AWR, AWS, or AWV; Fleet Replacement Squadron training and survival, evasion, resistance, and escape instruction; ongoing qualification and advanced training in diving, rescue, and mission systems throughout the career.
Enlist under an advanced technical field or Warrior Challenge style contract that specifies the aircrew, rescue swimmer, or diver training pipeline; qualified Fleet Sailors may volunteer and request conversion into aircrew or diving roles after screening, physical testing, and command endorsement.
Qualifications
All Navy jobs require meeting general enlistment or commissioning standards, which typically include:

  • Eligibility to serve in the United States Navy, which may involve United States citizenship or other legal residency and work status, depending on the program and current law and policy
  • A high school diploma or equivalent for enlisted positions, and a bachelor’s or qualifying professional degree for officer positions
  • Meeting age limits that vary by program and are set in law and Navy policy. Some communities have more restrictive age ranges
  • Meeting medical, vision, and dental standards, including body composition and physical fitness requirements, with some jobs requiring more demanding standards
  • Meeting character and conduct standards, including background screening
  • Achieving required test scores for your program, such as the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery for enlisted roles or officer qualification tests for officer programs
  • Eligibility for a security clearance when required for your rating or designator
  • Additional qualifications can include specific skills, education, licensure, or experience that are unique to a job or community and will be reviewed with you by a recruiter.

Additional qualifications for this job may include:
United States citizenship and eligibility for at least a Secret clearance; strong swimming ability, comfort in open water, and excellent overall physical condition; ability to pass an aviation flight physical for aircrew duties and a diving medical exam with Undersea or Diving Medical Officer approval; meeting Physical Fitness Assessment standards and passing the Physical Screening Test that includes timed swims, runs, and calisthenics; meeting age limits that are typically more restrictive than general enlistment standards.
Education
Education benefits are available through standard Navy programs such as Tuition Assistance, the Post-9/11 GI Bill, ACE-recommended college credit for Navy training, Navy COOL-funded certifications, USMAP apprenticeships, and other Navy College Program opportunities. Specific options depend on the Sailor’s status, training, and current Navy policy.
Pay, Benefits & Service
Pay, benefits, and service commitments follow standard Navy Active and/or Reserve policies for this type of role, including basic pay, allowances when eligible, health coverage, and retirement options. Exact entitlements, special pays, and service obligations depend on program, component, years of service, and current law and Navy guidance.
Incentives
Incentives such as bonuses, special pays, and loan repayment may be available at times for specific ratings or communities, but they change frequently and cannot be guaranteed. Applicants must confirm current incentives and eligibility with an official Navy recruiter or authoritative Navy source.
Notes and Disclaimers
This description is a general overview of typical duties, training, and opportunities in this community. It does not replace official Navy instructions, policies, or contracts and does not guarantee specific assignments, training, incentives, or outcomes. Actual opportunities depend on Navy needs, individual performance, screening results, and current law and policy.


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About US Navy

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

National security, national security and international affairs, public safety statistics centers and offices, guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing and public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Washington, DC, US

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