Updated 2025 · Welding
How to Become a Underwater Welder
Underwater welders (commercial divers who weld) perform welding and cutting operations beneath the surface of water for offshore oil platforms, ships, pipelines, and bridges.
Steps to Become a Underwater Welder
- Meet basic requirements — You must be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED. A strong foundation in math, physics, and shop classes helps.
- Apply to an apprenticeship program — Underwater Welder apprenticeships last 5 years and combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. Apply through your local union (IBEW, UA, etc.) or a non-union contractor program. You earn while you learn from day one.
- Complete required training — Complete 10000 hours of on-the-job training and related classroom instruction.
- Earn certifications — Required certifications include: ADCI Commercial Diving certification, AWS D3.6 Underwater Welding certification, First aid and CPR for divers, Hyperbaric welding certification.
- Pass the journeyman exam — After completing your apprenticeship, pass the journeyman licensing exam in your state to earn full journeyman status and pay.
What Does a Underwater Welder Do?
Underwater welders (commercial divers who weld) perform welding and cutting operations beneath the surface of water for offshore oil platforms, ships, pipelines, and bridges.
Daily Duties
- Perform wet and dry (hyperbaric) welding underwater
- Inspect underwater structures for damage
- Cut and remove damaged metal components
- Install underwater pipelines and platforms
- Operate diving equipment and maintain life support systems
Skills Needed
- Commercial diving
- Underwater welding (wet and dry)
- Underwater cutting
- Pipeline inspection
- Hyperbaric chamber operation
Required Certifications
- ADCI Commercial Diving certification
- AWS D3.6 Underwater Welding certification
- First aid and CPR for divers
- Hyperbaric welding certification
Underwater Welder Salary (2025)
The national median underwater welder salary is $80,828 per year. Pay ranges from $65,560 in the lowest-paying metro to $104,646 in the highest-paying metro. See the full underwater welder salary breakdown by city.
Apprentice Pay Progression
Underwater Welder apprentices earn while they learn, starting at approximately 40% of journeyman pay:
| Year | % of Journeyman | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 40% | $32,331 |
| Year 2 | 53% | $42,839 |
| Year 3 | 65% | $52,538 |
| Year 4 | 78% | $63,046 |
| Year 5 | 90% | $72,745 |
| Journeyman | 100% | $80,828 |
Union vs Non-Union Underwater Welder Pay
Union underwater welders earn 20% more than non-union workers — $42.60/hour union vs $35.50/hour non-union. Approximately 15.2% of underwater welders are union members. See the full union vs non-union comparison.
Work Environment
Underwater welders work in oceans, rivers, lakes, and tanks. Extremely hazardous — risk of drowning, decompression sickness, electric shock, and hypothermia. Extended time away from home on offshore rigs.
Career Outlook
Niche but well-paying specialty. Demand driven by offshore energy, ship repair, and infrastructure maintenance. Inland dive welding for bridge and dam maintenance growing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The national median salary for a underwater welder is $80,828 per year (2025 BLS data). Pay ranges from $65,560 to $104,646 depending on location, with top earners in the 90th percentile making significantly more.
It takes 5 years to complete a underwater welder apprenticeship. During this time, you earn while you learn — starting at approximately 40-50% of journeyman wages and receiving annual raises.
No college degree is required to become a underwater welder. The primary path is through an apprenticeship program or trade school. You will need to earn specific certifications: ADCI Commercial Diving certification and AWS D3.6 Underwater Welding certification.
Underwater Welder earns a Trade Pay Score grade of C, meaning it rates moderately on pay relative to cost of living, wage growth, and demand. Niche but well-paying specialty. Demand driven by offshore energy, ship repair, and infrastructure maintenance. Inland dive welding for bridge and dam maintenance growing.
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