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Recovery Diver Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 ...

Diver performs work below the surface of water, is responsible for conducting underwater surveys ... Assists in the planning and execution of underwater surveys and mission recovery operations

Super Company is seeking a Golf Ball Diver to support on-site operations at our Mountain View ... You will help maintain day-to-day operational readiness by performing ball recovery tasks and ...

Showing results 21-40

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.
More about Recovery Diver jobs

What cities are hiring for Recovery Diver jobs?

Cities with the most Recovery Diver job openings:

What states have the most Recovery Diver jobs?

States with the most job openings for Recovery Diver jobs include:

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.

Navy Diver

U.S. Navy

Fort Myers, FL • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement

Re-posted 27 days ago


United States Navy rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 379 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

42nd of 49 rated military and defense


Job description

About

As a Navy Diver, you will be part of an elite team performing underwater salvage, repair, and rescue missions in some of the most challenging environments.

What You’ll Do

  • Conduct salvage, recovery, and rescue missions.
  • Repair and maintain ships and submarines.
  • Operate advanced diving equipment and hyperbaric chambers.
  • Train in deep-sea diving and high-risk underwater operations.
  • Support EOD and special warfare missions.

Qualifications

  • U.S. citizen, 17–31 years old.
  • High school diploma or equivalent.
  • Meet physical and medical requirements.
  • Strong swimming ability and ability to qualify for a security clearance.

Training and Benefits

  • Advanced diving and survival training at Navy Diving School.
  • Competitive salary with bonuses and specialty pay.
  • Full medical and dental coverage.
  • Housing allowance and retirement benefits.
  • GI Bill® education benefits.

What United States Navy employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

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US Navy logo

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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