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How much do submarine welder jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for submarine welder in the United States is $22.26, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.75 and $24.76 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Can you make $300,000 as a welder?

Submarine welders can potentially earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, specialized skills, and working in high-demand environments such as offshore or military projects. However, such high earnings are typically achieved through overtime, hazardous duty pay, and advanced certifications, and are not common for all welders.

How much do submarine welders make?

Submarine welders typically earn between $50,000 and $100,000 annually, depending on experience, certifications, and the complexity of the projects. They often work in challenging environments requiring specialized skills and safety training, which can influence compensation levels.

Do underwater welders make 300k?

Underwater welders, including submarine welders, can earn high salaries, with experienced professionals sometimes reaching or exceeding $300,000 annually. However, such earnings are typically associated with extensive experience, specialized skills, hazardous environments, and often involve offshore or deep-sea projects. Most underwater welders earn between $50,000 and $150,000 per year, with top earners in certain high-risk or remote assignments.

What are submarine welders?

Submarine welders are specialized professionals who perform welding tasks underwater, often on submarines, ships, or other marine structures. They combine commercial diving skills with expertise in various welding techniques to repair, maintain, or construct underwater equipment and vessels. This job requires rigorous training in both diving and welding safety, as well as certifications to handle the challenging underwater environment. Submarine welders often work in hazardous conditions and must ensure their welds are strong and reliable to withstand underwater pressures.

What is the difference between Submarine Welder vs Commercial Diver?

AspectSubmarine WelderCommercial Diver
CertificationsWelding certifications, underwater welding certificationsDiver certification, commercial diving license
Work EnvironmentUnderwater, often in shipyards, offshore platformsUnderwater, in various water bodies, offshore, construction sites
Industry UsageShipbuilding, offshore oil & gas, marine repairConstruction, inspection, maintenance, salvage

Both Submarine Welders and Commercial Divers work underwater, requiring specialized certifications. Submarine Welders focus on welding tasks in underwater environments, often in shipyards or offshore platforms. Commercial Divers perform a broader range of underwater tasks, including inspection and repair, across various industries. While their skills overlap, their certifications and primary job functions differ.

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

To thrive as a Submarine Welder, you need strong skills in underwater welding techniques, metal fabrication, and a commercial diving certification such as ADCI or IMCA. Experience with specialized welding equipment like wet welding rods, dry habitats, and underwater cutting tools is typically required. Attention to detail, physical stamina, and the ability to work calmly under pressure distinguish outstanding candidates in this field. These skills and qualities are crucial to ensure the structural integrity and safety of submarine components in challenging underwater environments.

Do underwater welders make $100 an hour?

Underwater welders, including submarine welders, can earn $100 or more per hour, especially with experience, specialized skills, and certifications. However, wages vary based on location, project complexity, and risk factors, with some earning significantly higher due to hazardous conditions and remote environments.

What are the typical working conditions and safety precautions for a submarine welder?

Submarine welders often work in confined, underwater environments that require specialized training in diving and welding techniques. The work can be physically demanding and involves strict adherence to safety protocols to prevent accidents, such as decompression sickness and electrical hazards. Teamwork is essential, as welders frequently coordinate with dive supervisors, safety inspectors, and other underwater technicians to ensure each task is executed safely and efficiently. Proper equipment maintenance and regular safety drills are standard practices to minimize risks in this challenging environment.
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What job categories do people searching Submarine Welder jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Submarine Welder jobs are:
Submarine Welder jobs near you
Infographic showing various Submarine Welder job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 99% Full Time, and 1% Part Time. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $46,302 per year, or $22.3 per hour.

Ship/Submarine Welder 1 - Chesapeake, VA

M.C. Dean, Inc

Chesapeake, VA • On-site

$23.20 - $34.80/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 18 days ago

M.C. Dean rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 44 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

286th of 439 rated engineering

Job description

Overview
General:
The M.C. Dean, Inc. Maritime Division works at shipyards around the world from our regional offices in Chesapeake, VA, and San Diego, CA. Become a key member of our Alteration Installation Teams, supporting C4ISR system installations on ships and submarines. Join the top team on the waterfront, working for unrivaled compensation and benefits.
Education and Experience:
  • High School Diploma or GED
  • A minimum of 1-2 years of applicable welding experience
  • ASNT NDT Level I Certification, or relevant experience.
  • One (1) other relevant technical certification or qualification such as American Welding Society (AWS) Certified Welding Supervisor, AWS Certified Weld Inspector, or other.

Skills and Proficiencies:
  • Read and interpret specifications
  • Read and understand shipboard installation drawings, blueprints, and job orders
  • Use a variety of ARC and gas welding equipment to fabricate or repair products such as foundations, cable collars, cable/pipe/vent hangers, cable tube penetrations, studs, etc.
  • Weld in all positions and for all types of metals and alloys in various shapes to include pipes, structural forms, plates, sheet metal, bar stock, machinery and equipment
  • Weld parts together using gas welding, or brazing and any combination of arc welding processes
  • Perform thermal cutting and grinding
  • Repair broken or cracked parts, fill holes, and increase size of metal parts
  • Supervisory and leadership skills

Safety and Physical Requirements: (have or obtain the following certifications)
  • Occupation Safety Haz-Mat Certification
  • Shipyard Competent Person Certification
  • Aloft/Climbing / Climbing Shipyard Stairs and Ladders Certification
  • Working in Confined Spaces Certification
  • Training and the Ability to Safely Lift and Move Objects of 50 LBS

Security and Work Locations:
  • Work is primarily in San Diego, CA and Norfolk, VA but you may travel for extended periods to other shipyards in the USA and to other Navy ports outside the USA
  • You will work at government facilities. You must be a US Citizenship eligible for clearance.
  • You must pass a background investigation
  • You must have a valid driver's license

Other Responsibilities:
  • Work overtime upon management request
  • Maintain and safeguard company equipment and tools
  • Maintain and safeguard welding inventory
  • Organize and schedule welding jobs to an on-time completion

Physical Requirements:
  • Lifts at least 100 pounds at one time and 60 pounds for an extended period of time.
  • Relocates a 12 foot stepladder without assistance.
  • Works at various heights up to 60 feet and can climb and maintain balance on scaffolds, aerial lifts, catwalks and all types of ladders.
  • Walks, climbs, lifts, squats, crawls, kneels, pushes, pulls and reaches overhead on a routine and repetitive basis.
  • Possess good vision (may be corrected vision), the ability to see in color, and the ability to hear and communicate in English.
  • May use a standard ladder without exceeding the weight limit while carrying tools.
  • Tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (including finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • See details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Possible travel locations include the below but not limited to:
  1. San Diego, CA
  2. Vallejo, CA
  3. Everett, WA
  4. Seattle, WA
  5. Portland, OR
  6. Groton, CT
  7. Mayport, FL
  8. Panama City, FL
  9. Charleston, SC
  10. Pearl Harbor, HI
  11. Portland, OR
  12. Earl, NJ
  13. Guam

Pay Range
USD $23.20 - USD $34.80 /Hr.

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About M.C. Dean

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

M.C. Dean is Building Intelligence®. We design, build, operate, and maintain cyber-physical solutions for the nation's most recognizable mission-critical facilities, secure environments, complex infrastructure, and global enterprises. The company's capabilities include electrical, electronic security, telecommunications, life-safety, instrumentation and control, and command and control systems. M.C. Dean is headquartered in Tysons, Virginia, and employs more than 5,100 professionals who engineer and deploy automated, secure, and resilient power and technology systems; and deliver the management platforms essential for long-term system sustainability.

Industry

Engineering professional services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Tysons, VA, US

Year founded

1949

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