Commercial Diver salary in California
Commercial Divers in California earn a median of $101,540 a year ($48.82 an hour), based on BLS data for 310 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $152,760 for the top 10%. That is 39% higher than the national median of $72,990. California ranks 4th of 19 states for commercial divers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.02 commercial divers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.76). The average (mean) salary is $98,740, close to the median.
Pay range for commercial divers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,980 | $19.22 |
| 25th percentile | $39,980 | $19.22 |
| Median | $101,540 | $48.82 |
| 75th percentile | $131,110 | $63.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $152,760 | $73.44 |
| Average (mean) | $98,740 | $47.47 |
Half of commercial divers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,461.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,230.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,905.38 |
| Weekly | $1,952.69 |
| Hourly | $48.82 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Commercial Diver salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $101,550 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for commercial divers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $161,800 |
| New York | $157,800 |
| Rhode Island | $126,320 |
| California | $101,540 |
| Hawaii | $95,750 |
| New Jersey | $86,920 |
| Arizona | $85,990 |
| Vermont | $85,780 |
| Indiana | $83,510 |
| Maine | $74,610 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance and Repair Workers, General | $57,000 | $27.41 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | $72,560 | $34.88 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $74,400 | $35.77 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other | $51,230 | $24.63 |
| Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers | $44,670 | $21.48 |
| Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers | $129,040 | $62.04 |
| Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers | $97,980 | $47.11 |
| Medical Equipment Repairer | $72,450 | $34.83 |
| Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door | $100,260 | $48.20 |
| Maintenance Workers, Machinery | $67,840 | $32.61 |
| Coin, Vending, and Amusement Machine Servicers and Repairers | $51,870 | $24.94 |
| Home Appliance Repairer | $58,480 | $28.12 |
| Mechanical Door Repairer | $59,560 | $28.64 |
| Rigger | $85,730 | $41.22 |
More: Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 49-9092. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a commercial diver make in California?
The median salary for commercial divers in California is $101,540 a year, or $48.82 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $152,760 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial divers make in California?
The top 10% of commercial divers in California earn at least $152,760 a year. The top 25% earn $131,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial divers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,980 a year, and a quarter of commercial divers earn $39,980 or less.
How many commercial divers work in California?
About 310 commercial divers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.