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Professional Scuba Diving Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Scuba Experience Lead

Marietta, GA ยท On-site

$13 - $22/hr

Be the SCUBA Experience Lead at Diventures! Are you a certified dive pro who lives for the next ... diving and a knack for motivating others. We're looking for someone who is: * Dive Professional or ...

Be the SCUBA Experience Lead at Diventures! Are you a certified dive pro who lives for the next ... diving and a knack for motivating others. We're looking for someone who is: * Dive Professional or ...

Scuba Experience Lead

Marietta, GA ยท On-site

$13 - $22/hr

Be the SCUBA Experience Lead at Diventures!Are you a certified dive pro who lives for the next ... diving and a knack for motivating others.We're looking for someone who is:Dive Professional or ...

Dive Safety Officer

Pittsburgh, PA ยท On-site

$50K/yr

... the professional development of staff and volunteer divers. Perform other job duties requiring ... Minimum Qualifications High School or GED plus three (3) years' full-time equivalent SCUBA diving ...

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Professional Scuba Diving information

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$56.8K

$144K

How much do professional scuba diving jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for professional scuba 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.

Can professional scuba diving be a profession?

Yes, professional scuba diving is a recognized occupation that involves activities such as underwater inspection, research, photography, and commercial diving. It requires specialized training, certifications like PADI or NAUI, and adherence to safety standards, often involving work in challenging environments and irregular schedules.

What is the difference between Professional Scuba Diving vs Commercial Diver?

AspectProfessional Scuba DivingCommercial Diver
CertificationsPADI, NAUI, SSI certificationsIMCA, ADCI certifications
Work EnvironmentRecreational, research, underwater filmingIndustrial, construction, underwater welding
Industry UsageTourism, research, mediaOil & gas, infrastructure, salvage

Professional Scuba Diving typically involves recreational, research, or media work with certifications like PADI or NAUI. Commercial Diver work is more industrial, requiring specialized certifications like IMCA, and involves high-risk tasks such as underwater welding or construction. While both roles involve underwater work, their environments, certifications, and industries differ significantly.

What jobs can I do with professional scuba diving?

With professional scuba diving certification, you can work as a dive instructor, commercial diver, underwater photographer, marine researcher, or dive guide. These roles often require specialized training, certifications, and knowledge of safety procedures, and they typically involve working in aquatic environments for extended periods.

What challenges do professional scuba divers face while working underwater, and how are they managed?

Professional scuba divers often encounter challenges such as limited visibility, strong currents, and varying water temperatures, which can impact both safety and efficiency. To manage these conditions, divers rely on thorough pre-dive planning, proper equipment checks, and strong communication protocols with their surface support teams. Additionally, ongoing training in emergency procedures and situational awareness is crucial to adapt to unexpected circumstances while underwater.

What is a professional scuba diver?

Professional scuba divers are individuals who are trained and certified to dive underwater for work-related purposes. They may perform a variety of tasks including underwater inspections, welding, photography, marine research, search and rescue, or guiding recreational divers. Unlike recreational divers, professionals often require advanced certifications and specialized training to safely operate in challenging conditions. Their work environments can range from tropical reefs to cold or deep waters, depending on the job requirements. Safety, technical skills, and strong physical fitness are essential qualities for professional scuba divers.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a professional scuba diver?

To thrive as a Professional Scuba Diver, you need advanced diving skills, comprehensive safety knowledge, and certifications such as PADI Divemaster or Instructor level. Familiarity with dive computers, underwater communication devices, and specialized equipment maintenance is typically required. Strong problem-solving, teamwork, and communication abilities help divers manage underwater challenges and interact effectively with clients or teams. These skills and qualifications are essential for ensuring safety, delivering high-quality service, and adapting to diverse underwater environments.

How much money do professional scuba divers make?

Professional scuba divers' earnings vary widely based on experience, specialization, location, and employment type. Entry-level divers may earn around $20,000 to $40,000 annually, while experienced commercial or technical divers can make $50,000 to over $100,000 per year, especially if working in specialized fields or offshore environments. Certifications, skills, and the ability to work in challenging conditions influence income levels.
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Infographic showing various Professional Scuba Diving job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 22% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $56,841 per year, or $27.3 per hour.

PAC Academic & Recreational SCUBA Leader

Oregonstate

Corvallis, OR โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Posted yesterday

New


Job description

Department:College of Health, Physical Activity CoursesSpecial Instructions to Applicants:

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by August 28, 2026. Applications will continue to be accepted after the full consideration date, until a sufficient applicant pool has been achieved or the position is filled. The closing date is subject to change without notice to applicants.


When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents:

1) A resume/CV; and

2) A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position.

3) License/Certifications: Please attach all licenses/ certification as appropriate.


4) Supplemental Questions: Please attach as a separate document.

a) Please list your total number of dives, the number of dives in a professional supervisory position, and the number of dives in cold water environments?

b) What is your philosophy in teaching beginners to dive?

c) After reviewing the OSU Mission statement at (https://leadership.oregonstate.edu/trustees/about-board/oregon-state-university-mission-statement) please state how your background and experience has prepared you to support inclusive learning principles and promote equitable teaching practices.


For additional information, please contact:

Name: Katelyn Kirk

Email: Katelyn.Kirk@oregonstate.edu

Phone:503-737-3222

Job Summary:The Physical Activities Course (PAC) in the College of Health at Oregon State University (OSU) invites applications for a full-time (1.00FTE), 9-month, combination position as PAC Academic & Recreational SCUBA Program Manager & PAC SCUBA Instructor reflecting duties in both academic and administrative areas.
We passionately believe that health is for all people. Our world-leading faculty and committed students work to prevent disease and injury, identify factors that affect health and well-being, inform policy, and shape environments that improve lives and help everyone, from children to seniors, thrive. We serve others, enjoy meaningful careers and lives, innovate, approach health and well-being through a lens of equity, and co-create knowledge and solutions to pressing health challenges in the far corners of Oregon, the nation and world.Physical Activity Courses provide an interactive and engaging experience that allows student to learn through active participation in a variety of physical activities. Recognizing individual interests and abilities, the program provides courses that cater to all levels and abilities. The Office of Physical Activity and Health Programs provides all Oregon State University with the knowledge and experience to make intelligent decisions regarding present and future physically active lifestyles. The program provides quality instruction in safe, adequately equipped facilities and creates a positive, enjoyable environment for learning.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Management of the PAC Academic & Recreational Dive Center, PAC Academic & Recreational PADI SCUBA Diving Program, The Dive Locker Rental System, PADI SCUBA Divemaster Program and SCUBA Dive Locker Facility
  • Management of SCUBA personnel, including SCUBA Certification Evaluator staff, Instructors, equipment management, student workers, and volunteers & Divemaster candidates
  • Manage the DiveLocker Rental and Inventory System
  • Collaborate with the PAC Director to manage SCUBA budget
  • Plan and organize Instructor that maximizes Student Learning
  • Establish meaningful student learning outcomes for courses/program
  • Demonstrate a thorough and accurate knowledge of the their field or discipline
Qualifications:

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor's degree in any field
  • 150+ dives demonstrated by an active dive log with experience in cold water
  • environments
  • Current and valid certification as a PADI Master SCUBA Diver Instructor & Trainer
  • Current and valid driver's license
  • 1+ year experience in the operation of a dive shop, dive program, or equivalent.
  • 1+ years experience instructing SCUBA courses
  • Previous supervisory experience
  • Current, valid Adult CPR, AED, and First Aid certification (must be completed prior to
  • start of instruction; higher level certification accepted).
  • Current, valid Emergency O2 Certification by the start of classes
  • Demonstrated experience, knowledge and ability to instruct SCUBA courses
  • Experience and/or certification in equipment tuning, service and maintenance
  • Concussion training by the start of classes
  • Evident commitment to educational equity.
  • Demonstrated ability to design, teach and assess courses that support inclusive learning principles and promote equitable teaching practices, to the benefit of all learners.

Final candidates for this position must complete a sexual misconduct reference check, per

University Policy 05-010. An offer of employment will be contingent upon satisfactory results from the sexual misconduct reference check.

This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.

This position requires driving a university vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the university; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check, possess and maintain a current, valid driver's license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self-report convictions as per University Policy 05-030.

Working Conditions/Schedule: In the performance of the duties of the position, incumbents will be required to lead physical activity courses and demonstrate activity-specific movements for a minimum duration of 50-90 minutes per scheduled class. Ability to lift/carry SCUBA cylinders and full SCUBA rigs (50-80lbs.) and to demonstrate and teach dive rescue of adult victims Ability to safely operate university Motor Pool vehicles, including ton pickup trucks and passenger vans Requires working nights and/or weekends. Travel with students to open water sites and spending the night near dive sites is required. This position requires working in water. Some work is required to be performed in an pool and/or outdoor environment, which may involve extreme temperature and weather conditions.Salary Range:$38,000 -$40,000Anticipated Start Date:2026-09-16Anticipated End Date:

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status.

OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.
OSU is a fair chance employer committed to inclusive hiring. We encourage applications from candidates who bring a wide range of lived experience including involvement with the justice system. If this position has "critical or security-sensitive" responsibilities and/or driving duties and you are selected as a finalist, your initial job offer will be contingent upon the results of a job-related pre-employment check (such as a background check, motor vehicle history check, sexual misconduct reference check, etc.). Background check results do not automatically disqualify a candidate. Take a look at our Background Checks website including the for candidates section for more details. If you have questions or concerns about the pre-employment check, please contact OSU's Employee and Labor Relations team at employee.relations@oregonstate.edu.