🤿

Commercial Diver

Also known as: Underwater Welder, Saturation Diver, Offshore Diver, Marine Construction Diver

AI Impact Score

22/100

ROVs and remotely operated inspection systems are replacing shallow-water survey diving in some applications, but complex marine construction, welding, and salvage operations in confined or deep environments require skilled human divers who cannot be replicated by current technology. Commercial diving remains one of the most hazard-resistant trades to AI displacement.

$55k – $148k

Salary Range

growing

Growth Outlook

10,000

Total Jobs (US)

+8%

Growth Rate

Task Breakdown

Tasks at Risk (3)

Underwater visual inspection in accessible, clear-water environmentsBasic survey diving where ROVs can reachSimple underwater photography and documentation

AI-Enhanced Tasks (4)

ROV-assisted pre-dive site surveysDive planning with AI-powered decompression softwareUnderwater inspection data management and reportingRemote consultation with surface engineers via dive comm systems

Human-Safe Tasks (5)

Underwater welding and cutting operationsMarine salvage and complex riggingConfined space diving in pipelines and ship hullsSaturation diving for deep offshore operationsEmergency response and recovery diving

Current Skills

Surface-Supplied Diving (SSDE)Hyperbaric Welding and CuttingRigging and Lifting UnderwaterDecompression TheoryEmergency Diver Assistance

Future-Proof Skills

ROV Pilot Operator (backup topside qualification)Underwater Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)Digital Dive Planning and Decompression SoftwareUnderwater Inspection Reporting SystemsSubsea Robotics Collaboration