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Navy Diving Jobs (NOW HIRING)

... diving equipment while managing records and readiness. What to Expect Highly physical, safety ... Qualifications All Navy jobs require meeting general enlistment or commissioning standards, which ...

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Navy Diving information

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$11K

$56.8K

$144K

How much do navy diving jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for navy diving in the United States is $56,841.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25,000.00 and $46,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Are there Navy dive officers?

Yes, the Navy employs dive officers who oversee and coordinate diving operations, including underwater repairs, salvage, and reconnaissance. These officers typically hold specialized certifications and have extensive training in diving techniques, safety procedures, and underwater equipment. They often serve in roles requiring leadership, technical expertise, and physical fitness in challenging environments.

What is Navy Diving?

Navy Diving refers to a specialized military role where personnel are trained to perform underwater tasks in support of naval operations. Navy Divers are responsible for a variety of missions, including underwater ship repairs, salvage operations, explosive ordnance disposal, and reconnaissance. They work in challenging environments, often using advanced diving equipment and technology. Navy Divers must maintain excellent physical fitness and be able to handle high-stress situations underwater. This career requires rigorous training and strong teamwork skills.

Does the Navy have a dive team?

Navy Diving personnel are part of specialized teams trained for underwater operations, salvage, and reconnaissance. These teams, often called Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal or Underwater Demolition Teams, conduct diving missions using advanced equipment and certifications such as the Navy Diver qualification. They operate in various environments, including combat zones and ship maintenance, requiring rigorous training and physical fitness.

What diving jobs are in the Navy?

Navy diving jobs include roles such as Navy Diver, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technician, Salvage Diver, and Combatant Diver. These positions involve underwater repair, salvage, demolition, and reconnaissance, often requiring specialized training, certifications, and the ability to operate diving equipment in challenging environments.

How much do navy divers make?

Navy divers typically earn a salary based on military pay scales, with enlisted divers making between $2,000 and $4,000 per month depending on rank and experience. Officers may earn higher salaries, and additional pay is provided for hazardous duty, special skills, and certifications. Overall, salaries increase with experience, training, and specialized qualifications such as salvage or explosive ordnance disposal.

What is the difference between Navy Diving vs Commercial Diver?

AspectNavy DivingCommercial Diver
CertificationsMilitary diving certifications, often including advanced rescue and combat trainingCommercial diving certifications such as ADCI or IMCA, including specific safety and technical skills
Work EnvironmentMilitary operations, underwater repairs, salvage, and rescue missions in various conditionsIndustrial underwater work, construction, inspection, and maintenance in commercial settings
Employer & IndustryU.S. Navy or military branches, defense industryPrivate companies, construction firms, oil & gas industry

While both Navy Divers and Commercial Divers perform underwater tasks, Navy Divers focus on military operations, rescue, and defense-related missions, often requiring military-specific training. Commercial Divers work primarily in industrial settings, performing construction, inspection, and maintenance tasks. Certifications, work environments, and employer types distinguish these roles, though both demand rigorous diving skills and safety protocols.

What are some common challenges Navy Divers face during underwater operations, and how do they overcome them?

Navy Divers frequently encounter challenges such as limited visibility, extreme water temperatures, and high-pressure environments while performing underwater tasks. They overcome these by relying on rigorous training, specialized equipment, and strong communication with their support teams on the surface. Additionally, Navy Divers must quickly adapt to changing conditions and troubleshoot equipment issues, making teamwork and problem-solving skills essential for mission success.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Navy Diver, and why are they important?

To excel as a Navy Diver, you need strong physical fitness, advanced swimming ability, and completion of rigorous Navy dive training and qualification courses. Familiarity with specialized diving equipment, underwater navigation systems, and certifications in scuba and deep-sea diving are essential. Teamwork, discipline, attention to detail, and problem-solving under pressure make someone stand out in this demanding role. These skills are critical to ensure mission success, personal safety, and effective performance in challenging underwater environments.
More about Navy Diving jobs
What states have the most Navy Diving jobs? States with the most job openings for Navy Diving jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Navy Diving jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Navy Diving jobs are:
Infographic showing various Navy Diving job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $56,841 per year, or $27.3 per hour.
Aircrew Rescue Swimmer & Navy Diver

Aircrew Rescue Swimmer & Navy Diver

US Navy

Lorton, VA

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 6 days ago


United States Navy rating

6.3

Company rating: 6.3 out of 10

Based on 371 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

38th of 46 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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