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Commercial Diver salary in Australia
The median full-time salary for a commercial diver is $114,400 per annum, before tax, up $24,100 since 2018.
Pay is set largely by the project and the depth of the work. Offshore oil and gas, saturation diving and defence contracts pay more than inshore construction and maintenance, and enterprise agreements or project rates often add allowances for travel and remote rosters. Certification matters too, so divers who add deeper-diving qualifications, underwater welding or non-destructive testing tend to earn more.
How to negotiate a higher commercial diver salary
- Know the market rate before you ask. The median full-time commercial diver salary is $114,400; use that, not a guess, as your anchor, and adjust for your experience and employer.
- Lead with what's scarce, not just tenure. Skills like Hand and power tool work and Installation and maintenance tend to command a premium over general commercial diver experience, name them specifically when you ask.
- Time it deliberately. Reviews, the end of a project you delivered, or taking on responsibility beyond your job description are stronger moments to ask than an arbitrary date on the calendar.
- Ask for a number, not a raise. "Based on the market rate and [specific contribution], I'd like to move to X" gets a clearer answer than "I think I deserve more."
Commercial Diver salary questions
How much do commercial divers earn in Australia?
The median full-time salary for a commercial diver is $114,400 a year before tax. Seniority, specialisation, sector and the award or agreement you're employed under all move it.
Is commercial diver pay rising or falling?
The median commercial diver salary is up $24,100 since 2018. Figures from 2025 onward on this page are a projection, not a measured result.