What Do I Need To Start Working?
Job openings for underwater workers with a basic SCUBA rating are fairly rare; most employers want to hire divers with a Commercial Diver’s certification. Many training programs for this certification include underwater welding training as a matter of course.
What Is the Starting Underwater Welding Pay Rate?
Without any experience, the mean starting pay rate for underwater welders is about $30k per year. Underwater welders pay goes up dramatically for divers with a year or more of experience.
How Expensive Is the
Training
?
This varies from school to school, but tuition/fees for the entire course are usually within a few thousand dollars of $25k. Most schools offer financial assistance to help with tuition and living expenses during training.
What Is the Job Like?
Fairly often, it’ll be 10 or more days on the job site with full workdays that can last 10 or more hours per shift, followed by off-duty stays onshore of several days. A work schedule of 10 days on-duty with 6 or 7 days off-duty between work sessions isn’t unusual, but there’s a lot of variety, there’s no industry standard. The job is often pretty challenging; poor visibility, frigid water, and strong currents make this a job for people with physical stamina.
Is It All Steady Employment?
Not necessarily. Some divers prefer to remain independent contractors, making good money during a contract, and taking as much time as they like off between contracts. Others will sign on for permanent jobs with one employer, and negotiate for vacation days that suit them and their employers.
How High Does The Underwater Welding Paycheck Go For Experienced Divers?
It goes up quickly, because experienced underwater welders have a high turnover rate. A year or two of the heavy workload that goes with an offshore job is enough for many divers, and they switch to a less rigorous career. Those who stick with it for 5 years and are willing to travel to where the work is can easily make more than $100k per year, sometime considerably more. It’s hard work, in demanding conditions, like near-zero visibility, very cold water, and strong currents. Many who are tempted by the high pay find that less pay for easier work suits them better. Sticking with the career for 5 to 10 years pays off handsomely for those with the stamina for it.