Underwater Welder: Salary, Job Duties and Requirements

An underwater welder or offshore welder is in an elite career choice, combining commercial diving qualifications with welding skills normally performed on dry land. Underwater welders must be able to handle bulky equipment specially designed for this job while working in a hazardous environment.

View 1 Popular School »

Salaries for Divers

Due to the number of factors surrounding this profession, salary information isn't easily generalized for all underwater welder situations. Underwater welders work primarily on a per project basis and things that may alter a salary projection include hazard levels, length of project and dive methods employed. Dive grade and employers are also key factors. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does include welding as a task for commercial divers, and reports that the median wage in 2009 for commercial divers was $52,540 (www.bls.gov).

Job Duties for Underwater Welders

Underwater welders work with a variety of equipment types and procedures. A list of duties all welder-divers should be able to perform includes:

  • Underwater cutting
  • Underwater photography
  • Drafting
  • Inspection and non-destructive testing
  • Fitting and rigging

Some underwater divers assist the project manager in project planning. The welder must have good communication skills and interpersonal skills to work well with the rest of the team.

Job Requirements

An underwater welder must be commercial dive certified. There are many schools that offer dive certification, but it is important to note that commercial dive certification is different and substitutions cannot be made regardless of experience level. To qualify for this certification, a diver will have to demonstrate skills in diver communication, diving physiology and emergency procedures, underwater inspections, hyperbaric chamber operations, and the use of various commercial grade tools.

Welder-divers must possess welding skills ranked at AWS D3.6 standard. This encompasses such abilities and knowledge as weld set-up and preparation skills. Many educational facilities offer welding courses approved by the American Welding Society. In addition, an underwater welder will gain valuable knowledge by becoming an underwater welding specialist. The Commercial Diving Academy is the only school in the United States that offers internationally recognized training for this specialization.

There are no age limits for this occupation, but underwater welders must be in good physical condition. Many are required to pass physical examinations for companies. All underwater welders will be required to keep their certifications current, which requires periodic examinations.

Show me popular schools

Related to Underwater Welder: Salary, Job Duties and Requirements

  • Related
  • Recently Updated
  • Popular
Welding: Common Welding Adult Education Programs

As a Welder you will be expected to repair and fabricate a variety of metal materials. Along with your formal...

Associate Degree in Welding Technology: Program Information

A welder is a technician who is trained to join together metal or plastic materials. Individuals who are interested in...

Welder: Job Outlook and Career Profile

Welders connect metal parts together using specialized torches. Although some welders might enter the profession...

Welding Technician (Brazing): How Do I Become a Brazing Technician?

Learn how to become a brazing technician. Research the career requirements, training information and experience...

Welding Technician (Arc Welding): Educational Overview

1 Popular School

  • ITT Technical Institute

    School locations:
    • Florida (6 campuses)
    • Idaho (1 campus)
    • Indiana (1)
    • Louisiana (2)
    • Michigan (5)
    • Oregon (1)

    Classroom-Based Programs

    • Bachelor
        • Bachelor in Industrial Automation Engineering Technology
    • Associate
        • Associate in Industrial Engineering Technology

    What year did you graduate from high school?

    Request Info

Other Schools:

  • Ferris State University

    School locations:
    • Michigan (1 campus)
    Areas of study you may find at Ferris State University include:
      • Graduate: First Professional Degree, Master
      • Non-Degree: Certificate, Coursework
      • Post Degree Certificate: Postbaccalaureate Certificate
      • Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
    • Mechanic and Repair Technologies
      • Construction Management and Trades
      • Electrical Repair and Maintenance
      • Heavy Equipment Maintenance
      • Precision Metal Working
        • Tool and Die Technologies
        • Welding Technology
      • Vehicle Repair and Maintenance
    » Research Ferris State University's Programs

  • Utah State University

    School locations:
    • Utah (1 campus)
    Areas of study you may find at Utah State University include:
      • Graduate: Doctorate, Master
      • Non-Degree: Coursework
      • Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
    • Mechanic and Repair Technologies
      • Precision Metal Working
        • Welding Technology
      • Vehicle Repair and Maintenance
    » Research Utah State University's Degree Programs

  • Pearl River Community College

    School locations:
    • Mississippi (1 campus)
    Areas of study you may find at Pearl River Community College include:
      • Non-Degree: Coursework, Diploma
      • Undergraduate: Associate
    • Mechanic and Repair Technologies
      • Construction Management and Trades
      • Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation, and Refrigeration Maintenance
      • Precision Metal Working
        • Machine Shop Technologies
        • Welding Technology
      • Vehicle Repair and Maintenance
    » Research Pearl River Community College's Programs

  • The University of Montana

    School locations:
    • Montana (1 campus)
    Areas of study you may find at The University of Montana include:
      • Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
      • Non-Degree: Coursework
      • Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
    • Mechanic and Repair Technologies
      • Construction Management and Trades
      • Heavy Equipment Maintenance
      • Precision Metal Working
        • Welding Technology
      • Vehicle Repair and Maintenance
    » Research The University of Montana's Programs & Degrees

  • University of Alaska

    School locations:
    • Alaska (2 campuses)
    Areas of study you may find at University of Alaska include:
      • Graduate: Master
      • Non-Degree: Certificate, Coursework
      • Post Degree Certificate: Postbaccalaureate Certificate
      • Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
    • Mechanic and Repair Technologies
      • Construction Management and Trades
      • Electrical Repair and Maintenance
      • Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation, and Refrigeration Maintenance
      • Heavy Equipment Maintenance
      • Precision Metal Working
        • Welding Technology
      • Vehicle Repair and Maintenance
    » View University of Alaska's Locations and Degree Programs

  • Dunwoody College of Technology

    School locations:
    • Minnesota (1 campus)
    Areas of study you may find at Dunwoody College of Technology include:
      • Non-Degree: Certificate, Coursework
      • Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
    • Mechanic and Repair Technologies
      • Construction Management and Trades
      • Electrical Repair and Maintenance
      • Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation, and Refrigeration Maintenance
      • Precision Metal Working
        • Machinist
        • Sheetworking
        • Welding Technology
      • Vehicle Repair and Maintenance
    » Research Dunwoody College of Technology's Degree Programs

  • Milwaukee Area Technical College

    School locations:
    • Wisconsin (1 campus)
    Areas of study you may find at Milwaukee Area Technical College include:
      • Non-Degree: Certificate, Coursework
      • Undergraduate: Associate
    • Mechanic and Repair Technologies
      • Construction Management and Trades
      • Electrical Repair and Maintenance
      • Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation, and Refrigeration Maintenance
      • Heavy Equipment Maintenance
      • Precision Metal Working
        • Machine Shop Technologies
        • Machinist
        • Tool and Die Technologies
        • Welding Technology
      • Vehicle Repair and Maintenance
    » Research Milwaukee Area Technical College's Programs

Other Related Schools:

Popular Schools

Avg. Wages For Related Jobs

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics