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Recovery Diver Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Bowhead

Ordinary Seaman/ Diver

Panama City, FL · On-site

$122.54/hr

Divers will conduct underwater vessel maintenance, and recovery of targets, aircraft parts, and floating or submerged related equipment. Snorkel operations are performed when SCUBA is not required.

Bowhead

Ordinary Seaman/ Diver

Panama City, FL

$122.54/day

Divers will conduct underwater vessel maintenance, and recovery of targets, aircraft parts, and floating or submerged related equipment. Snorkel operations are performed when SCUBA is not required.

U.S. Navy

PR · On-site

About As a Navy Diver, you will be part of an elite team performing underwater salvage, repair, and ... Conduct salvage, recovery, and rescue missions. * Repair and maintain ships and submarines.

U.S. Navy

Navy Diver

Clearwater, FL · On-site

About As a Navy Diver, you will be part of an elite team performing underwater salvage, repair, and ... Conduct salvage, recovery, and rescue missions. * Repair and maintain ships and submarines.

U.S. Navy

Navy Diver

Margate, FL · On-site

About As a Navy Diver, you will be part of an elite team performing underwater salvage, repair, and ... Conduct salvage, recovery, and rescue missions. * Repair and maintain ships and submarines.

U.S. Navy

Navy Diver

Saint Petersburg, FL · On-site

About As a Navy Diver, you will be part of an elite team performing underwater salvage, repair, and ... Conduct salvage, recovery, and rescue missions. * Repair and maintain ships and submarines.

U.S. Navy

Navy Diver

West Palm Beach, FL · On-site

About As a Navy Diver, you will be part of an elite team performing underwater salvage, repair, and ... Conduct salvage, recovery, and rescue missions. * Repair and maintain ships and submarines.

U.S. Navy

Navy Diver

Delray Beach, FL · On-site

About As a Navy Diver, you will be part of an elite team performing underwater salvage, repair, and ... Conduct salvage, recovery, and rescue missions. * Repair and maintain ships and submarines.

U.S. Navy

Navy Diver

Hollywood, FL · On-site

About As a Navy Diver, you will be part of an elite team performing underwater salvage, repair, and ... Conduct salvage, recovery, and rescue missions. * Repair and maintain ships and submarines.

U.S. Navy

Navy Diver

Caguas, PR · On-site

About As a Navy Diver, you will be part of an elite team performing underwater salvage, repair, and ... Conduct salvage, recovery, and rescue missions. * Repair and maintain ships and submarines.

J.F. Brennan Company, Inc.

Diver - Midwest

La Crosse, WI · On-site

$34.32/hr

Our Divers will work below the surface of water to inspect, repair, move, and install equipment and ... Recover objects by placing rigging around sunken objects, hooking rigging to crane lines, and ...

U.S. Navy

Navy Diver

Fort Lauderdale, FL · On-site

About As a Navy Diver, you will be part of an elite team performing underwater salvage, repair, and ... Conduct salvage, recovery, and rescue missions. * Repair and maintain ships and submarines.

U.S. Navy

Navy Diver

Miami, FL · On-site

About As a Navy Diver, you will be part of an elite team performing underwater salvage, repair, and ... Conduct salvage, recovery, and rescue missions. * Repair and maintain ships and submarines.

U.S. Navy

Navy Diver

Temple Terrace, FL · On-site

About As a Navy Diver, you will be part of an elite team performing underwater salvage, repair, and ... Conduct salvage, recovery, and rescue missions. * Repair and maintain ships and submarines.

U.S. Navy

Navy Diver

Pembroke Pines, FL · On-site

About As a Navy Diver, you will be part of an elite team performing underwater salvage, repair, and ... Conduct salvage, recovery, and rescue missions. * Repair and maintain ships and submarines.

U.S. Navy

Navy Diver

Hialeah, FL · On-site

About As a Navy Diver, you will be part of an elite team performing underwater salvage, repair, and ... Conduct salvage, recovery, and rescue missions. * Repair and maintain ships and submarines.

U.S. Navy

Navy Diver

Tampa, FL · On-site

About As a Navy Diver, you will be part of an elite team performing underwater salvage, repair, and ... Conduct salvage, recovery, and rescue missions. * Repair and maintain ships and submarines.

U.S. Navy

Navy Diver

Naples, FL · On-site

About As a Navy Diver, you will be part of an elite team performing underwater salvage, repair, and ... Conduct salvage, recovery, and rescue missions. * Repair and maintain ships and submarines.

U.S. Navy

Navy Diver

Lakeland, FL · On-site

About As a Navy Diver, you will be part of an elite team performing underwater salvage, repair, and ... Conduct salvage, recovery, and rescue missions. * Repair and maintain ships and submarines.

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Recovery Diver information

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$11

$23

$44

How much do recovery diver jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for recovery diver in the United States is $23.84, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.23 and $25.48 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a recovery diver?

Recovery divers are specialized professionals trained to locate and retrieve objects, vehicles, or bodies from underwater environments. They often work with law enforcement, rescue teams, or salvage companies to assist in accident investigations, evidence recovery, and environmental cleanups. Their work requires advanced diving skills, knowledge of underwater search techniques, and the ability to operate in challenging and sometimes hazardous conditions. Recovery divers play a crucial role in supporting public safety and maritime operations.

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

To thrive as a Recovery Diver, you need advanced scuba diving skills, dive certifications (such as PADI Rescue or commercial diving credentials), and knowledge of underwater search and recovery techniques. Familiarity with specialized recovery equipment, sonar systems, and underwater communication tools is typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and composure under pressure are essential soft skills in this role. These capabilities are crucial for ensuring safe, efficient, and effective underwater recovery operations in challenging and potentially hazardous environments.

What are the typical challenges faced by recovery divers during underwater search and retrieval operations?

Recovery divers often face challenging conditions such as low visibility, cold water temperatures, strong currents, and the presence of debris underwater. These factors can make locating and safely retrieving objects or remains particularly demanding. Divers must also work efficiently as part of a coordinated team, often in high-pressure situations where time is critical. Adhering to strict safety protocols and maintaining clear communication with surface support teams are essential for ensuring both the success of the mission and diver safety.

What is the difference between Recovery Diver vs Commercial Diver?

AspectRecovery DiverCommercial Diver
CertificationsOpen water, advanced, rescue, specialty certificationsCommercial diving certifications, such as ADC or IMCA
Work EnvironmentUnderwater recovery, salvage, search operationsUnderwater construction, welding, inspection, and repair
Industry UsageSalvage, rescue, environmental cleanupOil & gas, infrastructure, ship repair

Recovery Divers focus on underwater salvage and rescue operations, requiring certifications in open water and rescue diving. Commercial Divers perform underwater construction, inspection, and repair, often holding specialized commercial diving certifications. While both work underwater, Recovery Divers typically operate in salvage and recovery scenarios, whereas Commercial Divers are involved in industrial projects. The roles differ in scope, certifications, and work environments, but both are vital in underwater operations.

How much do recovery divers get paid?

Recovery divers typically earn between $25,000 and $50,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the employer. Pay can increase with certifications, specialized skills, and working in high-demand environments such as shipwrecks or underwater salvage projects.
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What states have the most Recovery Diver jobs?

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Recovery Diver jobs near you
Infographic showing various Recovery Diver job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 73% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 9% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $49,577 per year, or $23.8 per hour.

Ordinary Seaman/ Diver

Bowhead

Panama City, FL • On-site

$122.54/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 19 days ago

Job description

Overview
Ordinary Seaman (TYAFB-2026-25610):
Bowhead Marine Support Services seeks Ordinary Seaman at Tyndall Air Force Base, Tyndall, FL.
Responsibilities
The Ordinary Seaman is responsible for the day-to-day duties of diving operations related to direct support on the missile recovery vessels and corridor clearance vessels for target launch and recoveries. All dives are performed according to applicable OSHA standards (CFR Title 29, part 1910, subpart T, Commercial Diving Operations). Divers will conduct underwater vessel maintenance, and recovery of targets, aircraft parts, and floating or submerged related equipment. Snorkel operations are performed when SCUBA is not required.
Job functions include but are not limited to:
  • Must be a Certified SCUBA diver and proficient in the use, operation and maintenance procedures for all SCUBA divining equipment to include open circuit SCUBA regulators, buoyancy compensators, life preservers, high pressure air cylinders, diving air compressors full face mask systems.
  • Conducts and documents quality assurance checks of maintenance and repair processes performed on diving equipment assigned to each vessel. Bowhead seeks to network with qualified individuals relative to a potential opportunity, which is contingent upon award and not currently funded. Please click the link at the bottom of this posting to apply for consideration. Incumbent employees are encouraged to respond. No solicitations or third party applications will be accepted.

Qualifications
  • Requires a minimum of three (3) years' of experience in SCUBA diving operations and must demonstrate a thorough knowledge of OSHA standards (CFR Title 29, part 1910, subpart T, Commercial Diving Operations).
  • The ideal candidate will hold the Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) Second class diver, NEC M2DV with a minimum of three (3) years' experience as an operational Diver, this experience is highly desirable.
  • Bachelor's Degree in Management, Marine Transportation or Engineering is preferred but an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered in lieu.
  • Must be able to work within the United States Air Force regulatory guidelines and instructions necessary to support joint services operations.
  • Intermediate to advanced level skills in Microsoft Office software suite - Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint
  • Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of employees and outside contacts
  • Strong interpersonal skills and good judgment with the ability to work alone or as part of a team

Physical Demands: The work environment varies and includes, but is not limited to: dock, port, bay, waterways, office space, equipment rooms, warehouse space, construction zones, and outdoor environments. Work hours may fluctuate outside of normal duty hours. While performing the duties of this job, the individual is:
  • Regularly required to sit, use hands to handle, move, manipulate or feel objects, talk and/or hear.
  • Frequently required to stand and/or walk and routinely required to reach with hands and arms.
  • Routinely required to stand, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and/or squat.
  • Frequently lifts and /or moves up to 50 pounds and occasionally lifts and/or moves up to 75 pounds.
  • Occasionally lifts and/or moves 75-100 pounds with the assistance of deckhands and/or heavy lifting equipment.

Target salary is $122.54/day commensurate with experience
Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. Bowhead considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as, market and business considerations when extending an offer.
SECURITY CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS: Must be able to obtain a security clearance at the Secret level. US Citizenship is a requirement for Secret clearance at this location

Apply