Professional Diving and Instructor Training: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Professional Diving and Instructor Training programs equip individuals with the advanced technical expertise and hands-on proficiency needed to excel in high-demand underwater environments. This comprehensive curriculum prepares students for careers as certified diving professionals, diving educators, or specialized support personnel in fields ranging from marine research to industrial operations.
- Diving Equipment and Specialized Gear: Mastery of scuba systems, surface-supplied diving apparatus, and technical diving hardware, including configuration, inspection, and performance optimization under real-world conditions.
- Diving Safety Procedures: In-depth training in risk assessment, emergency response protocols, dive planning, and hazard mitigation to ensure compliance with international safety standards and operational best practices.
- Underwater Life-Support Systems: Practical and theoretical instruction on the operation, monitoring, and maintenance of closed-circuit rebreathers, mixed-gas systems, and atmospheric diving suits.
- Underwater Communication Systems: Training in the use and troubleshooting of acoustic, tethered, and wireless communication devices essential for coordination during complex or deep-sea missions.
- Decompression Systems and Procedures: Study of decompression theory, staged ascent protocols, and the physiological impacts of pressure changes, with emphasis on safe return to surface environments.
- Underwater Salvage Operations: Application of techniques for locating, recovering, and securing submerged objects, including wreckage, equipment, and environmental hazards.
- Underwater Exploration, Rescue, and Photography: Development of skills in scientific surveying, emergency rescue techniques, and underwater imaging for documentation, research, and media purposes.
- Installation and Maintenance of Underwater Mechanical Systems: Training in the assembly, inspection, repair, and decommissioning of subsea structures, pipelines, and marine infrastructure using specialized tools and robotics.
Professional Diving and Instructor Training Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Professional Diving and Instructor Training Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Professional Diving and Instructor Training degrees, including Commercial Divers. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 3,430 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Divers 49-9092 | $61,130 | $39,130 - $152,580 | 3,430 | $29.39 |
Professional Diving and Instructor Training Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $48,010 in South Carolina to $153,990 in New York—a 221% difference. The highest-paying states include New York, Washington, and Vermont. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 3,430 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Professional Diving and Instructor Training by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 6 institutions offering Professional Diving and Instructor Training programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Professional Diving and Instructor Training is found at Divers Institute of Technology (DIT) (298 graduates), Ocean Corporation (148 graduates), Commercial Divers International (CDI) (58 graduates), The College of the Florida Keys (CFK) (16 graduates), and University of Alaska (UAS), Southeast (10 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 539 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Divers Institute of Technology (DIT) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
298 | Seattle, Washington | Private | diversinstitute.edu |
| Ocean Corporation |
Other Award
|
148 | Houston, Texas | Private | oceancorp.com |
| Commercial Divers International (CDI) |
Other Award
|
58 | Goodyear, Arizona | Private | commercialdiversinternational.edu |
| The College of the Florida Keys (CFK) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
16 | Key West, Florida | Public | cfk.edu |
| University of Alaska (UAS) |
Other Award
|
10 | Juneau, Alaska | Public | uas.alaska.edu |
| South Louisiana Community College (SLCC) |
Other Award
|
9 | Lafayette, Louisiana | Public | solacc.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Professional Diving and Instructor Training programs
How much can I earn with a Professional Diving and Instructor Training degree?
Salaries for Professional Diving and Instructor Training graduates vary by role and location. Commercial Divers earn a median of $61,130 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in New York average $153,990 compared to $48,010 in South Carolina. Approximately 3,430 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Professional Diving and Instructor Training programs?
Currently 6 accredited institutions offer Professional Diving and Instructor Training degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Divers Institute of Technology (DIT) (298 graduates), Ocean Corporation (148 graduates), and Commercial Divers International (CDI) (58 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Professional Diving and Instructor Training growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 961 in 2010 to a peak of 694 in 2020, before declining slightly to 539 in 2023-24. This represents a 44% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Professional Diving and Instructor Training degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Commercial Divers. Related occupations employ approximately 3,430 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
Related Transportation Programs
Explore similar degree programs within the Transportation field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
Aerospace Science and Technology
A program that focuses on the general study of aviation and the aviation industry, including in-flight and ground support operations. Includes instruction in...
Airline and Commercial Pilot
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to the flying and/or navigation of commercial passenger and cargo, agricultural, public...
Aviation Management and Operations
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to the management of aviation industry operations and services. Includes instruction in...
Air Traffic Control
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to air-traffic management and control, usually with additional training at the FAA...
Flight Attendant
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to the performance of a variety of personal services conducive to the...
Flight Instructor
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to the training of pilots or navigators, to prepare them to fly...