Construction Commercial Diver
Key facts
Construction commercial divers work below the surface of the water to install equipment, such as hydraulic structures, waterways and marine facilities. They also inspect, remove and repair the structures.
Construction commercial divers are highly skilled professionals who perform a variety of tasks below the water's surface. Their work is essential for the construction and upkeep of hydraulic structures, waterways, marine facilities, and other underwater infrastructure. Daily responsibilities can range from installing new equipment and conducting detailed inspections to repairing existing structures and removing debris. The work demands precision, physical endurance, and the ability to work effectively as part of a team, often in demanding conditions.
- • Installing and repairing hydraulic structures, pipelines, and other underwater equipment.
- • Conducting visual and non-destructive inspections of underwater structures to identify damage or deterioration.
- • Removing obstructions and debris from waterways and marine environments.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Figures cover Food processing, wood working, garment and other craft and related trades workers — 115 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Czechia.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
What these words mean
The four things this section reports
- Reported demand
- Whether employers report needing people in this job — a judgement published by a national or EU body, not a count.
- Where it is heading
- Which way employment in this job is expected to move over the coming years, from an official projection.
- Openings
- Roughly how many openings arise — from growth and from people leaving the job.
- Typical pay
- What people in this job typically earn where the source publishes it. Blank does not mean unpaid; it means nobody publishes it for that place.
A measure is left out when nobody publishes it for that place, rather than shown as zero.
Which way the market leans for you
- In your favour
- More openings than people looking — employers are competing for candidates.
- Balanced
- Openings and candidates are roughly matched.
- Competitive
- More people looking than openings — expect to compete.
- Mixed evidence
- Sources disagree, or the same occupation group is short in one part and oversupplied in another.
Every source resolves to one of these four, so there is a single vocabulary to learn. What differs is the evidence behind it, which is printed underneath each verdict — a measured ratio of openings to jobseekers, or an assessment published by a national body.
How this job compares with other jobs in the same country
- Strong
- Among the strongest in that country
- Good
- Stronger than most jobs in that country
- Mixed
- About typical for that country
- Weak
- Weaker than most jobs in that country
This is a rank within one country, not a score you can carry across borders — the registers behind two countries count different people, so the same number means different things in each. It is also why a job can be among the strongest in a country and still show as Competitive: it leads the field in a market that is crowded overall.
Where these come from
Every figure is published by a national statistics office, a public employment service or an EU body, and each card names its source and the period it covers. Some places are counted monthly, others assessed once or twice a year, so two places on the same map can be describing different moments — the date is always shown.
None of this predicts one person’s chances. It describes a market.
Reported demand · Typical pay · Where it is heading (United States, Ireland, Australia, Malta)
| Reported demand | Typical pay | Where it is heading | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Not reported | $72,990 2025-05 | +8.5% 2024–2034 · BLS 2024-2034 |
| Ireland | Not reported | — | +7.9% 2023–2035 · Cedefop 2026 * |
| Australia | Assessed as balanced Jobs and Skills Australia 2025 * | — | — |
| Malta | Shortage reported ELA/EURES 2024 * | — | — |
* Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS)
Do you guide students, clients or employees? Use this occupation data in your organisation.
Future Outlook for construction commercial diver
The outlook for construction commercial diver reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could construction commercial diver change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
Model-based estimate. Use it as a planning signal, not a guarantee.
Compare this to your profile
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
- work ergonomically
- comply with the planned time for the depth of the dive
- follow health and safety procedures in construction
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- inspect construction supplies
- interrupt diving operations when necessary
- use lift bags
Tasks most exposed to automation
- keep records of work progress
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Construction
A typical day as a construction commercial diver
09 09:00 · Morning cope with decompression
10 10:30 · Mid-morning check diving equipment
12 12:00 · Midday use lift bags
14 14:00 · Afternoon weld in hyperbaric conditions
15 15:30 · Late afternoon weld underwater
17 17:00 · Wrap-up comply with the planned time for the depth of the dive
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
What you need to do this work
The skills, knowledge and tools this role calls for — and the traits and rewards that come with it.
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work ergonomically
Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.
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follow health and safety procedures in construction
Apply the relevant health and safety procedures in construction in order to prevent accidents, pollution and other risks.
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use safety equipment in construction
Use elements of protective clothing such as steel-tipped shoes, and gear such as protective goggles, in order to minimise risk of accidents in construction and to mitigate any injury if an accident does occur.
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weld in hyperbaric conditions
Use arc welding techniques to make welds in conditions of very high pressure, usually in an underwater dry chamber such as a diving bell. Compensate for the negative consequences of high pressure on a weld, such as the shorter and less steady welding arc.
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weld underwater
Use underwater arc welding equipment to make welds beneath the water surface. Protect yourself from electric shocks by shielding the weld from the water.
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maintain diving equipment
Perform maintenance actions, including small repairs, on diving equipment.
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check diving equipment
Check diving equipment for valid certification to ensure its suitability. Ensure that any diving equipment is examined by a competent person before use, at least once on each day on which it is to be used. Ensure that it is adequately tested and repaired.
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inspect construction supplies
Check construction supplies for damage, moisture, loss or other problems before using the material.
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comply with the planned time for the depth of the dive
Ensure that a diver returns from a given depth after the planned time limit has expired.
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use rigging equipment
Set up rolling and lifting equipment required to lift and move objects e.g. with a crane or block and tackle system.
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comply with legal requirements for diving operations
Ensure that diving operations comply with legal requirements, such as age, health and swimming abilities.
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use lift bags
Use bags filled with air to help carry objects underwater, or send them to the surface. Choose the right capacity lift bag for the object to be carried and attach it securely to the object. If multiple bags are used, make sure the lifting capacity is distributed evenly.
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keep records of work progress
Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
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implement dive plans
Implement dive plans, working with the client, vessel teams and marine superintendents.
diving vessels systems
The characteristics, functioning and way of working with dynamic positioning systems, construction barges and dive support vessels.
- diving equipment
- diving operation requirements
- automation technology
- mechatronics
- robotics
Path to become a construction commercial diver
What it typically takes to qualify: education level, where it is a regulated profession, and where to study.
Upper secondary education
246 programmes in 24 countries teach the core skills of this job. Plus 91 short courses that build single skills.
A few examples, taught in the language of this page:
Master of Robotics and Automation Engineering
University of the Sunshine Coast · Australia
Commercial Scuba Diving Operations
Bord Iascaigh Mhara · Ireland
These are 6 of 337.
Sources
- 1. Source: Commonwealth of Australia (Department of Education), CRICOS, data.gov.au, CC BY 2.5 AU. Data as at 01/09/2026. Adapted by NexPath.
- 2. Source: Study with New Zealand (studywithnewzealand.govt.nz), Education New Zealand. Copyright in the material is owned by Education New Zealand (All content (c) Education New Zealand). Listings are provided by the education providers, are for information and promotional purposes only, and are not endorsed by Education New Zealand; each provider is responsible for its own content.
- 3. Source: South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), All Qualifications and Unit Standards (allqs.saqa.org.za).
- 4. Source: Study in Serbia, an initiative of Foundation Tempus (bazaobrazovanja.rs).
- 5. Source: Europass Qualification Dataset Register (European Commission)
Growth Pathways & Similar Roles
Explore typical career progression paths, adjacent skills, and similar roles to plan your next transition.
Where does construction commercial diver fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
For organisations
The data on this page, working for your students, clients and staff.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of training or certifications are typically required to become a construction commercial diver?
Is this a predominantly employment-based or self-employed career?
What are some of the key personal attributes needed to succeed as a construction commercial diver?
Is there a shortage of Construction Commercial Diver in Europe?
How much does Construction Commercial Diver pay in the United States?
Sources: ESCO O*NET ELA/EURES Cedefop BLS Data updated October 3, 2026 About our data