Diving job?

al1tonyota · Jul 23, 2015

I've been thinking a lot about semi changing careers lately. Basically want to make more money and enjoy my job more. I have been recreational diving since I was 13 but haven't logged many hours. I also am fairly efficient at welding and was thinking about underwater welding or underwater construction? Just wondering if anyone on here is in that line of work or know someone that is?

mdo817 · Jul 23, 2015

Back in the day my Bro-In-Law and I had a Explorer Group of kids we taught to dive, he is a Instructor and I am a Dive Master, one of our boys we taught went down to Fl. and finished up with a deep water cert. and under water welder cert., with those cents and a GED he had job offers all over the country, most of them started out at around 60k, this has been about 15 years ago, last I heard he was welding in the Gulf on oil rigs and making damn serious jack.

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al1tonyota · Jul 23, 2015

mdo817 said:
Back in the day my Bro-In-Law and I had a Explorer Group of kids we taught to dive, he is a Instructor and I am a Dive Master, one of our boys we taught went down to Fl. and finished up with a deep water cert. and under water welder cert., with those cents and a GED he had job offers all over the country, most of them started out at around 60k, this has been about 15 years ago, last I heard he was welding in the Gulf on oil rigs and making damn serious jack.

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I figured oil rig was a high paying deal. Just from what I searched on the net there are two main schools Washington state and Texas. 30 week courses don't really think I could swing that? There is a local company gonna call them and see what the basics of the job would be. From their website they do underwater demolition, repairs to dams and structures.

SHELBS44 · Jul 23, 2015

I worked after hurricane Katrina in Mississippi and Louisiana. Working on bridges. We had a few divers working with us when we were having to clean up all the spans in the water and debris by hey we're the ones that handled the rigging on the deep stuff. Mostly were ex military but they were making bank. Over 60 an hour which that's back then. Would be a good career but a lot of travel

June dog · Jul 23, 2015

I was hoping this thread included muff somewhere in it. drool Carry on.

mdo817 · Jul 23, 2015

Re:

If you are a Diver, making that kind of jack, you will get the muff.

NTIDWELL · Jul 23, 2015

Dam good job. With very well pay but most drivers only last 5-10yrs if they are lucky to much nitrogen in lungs and can't pass the test but money good while your getting it. Most under water welders I know is 150k-200k a yr. after they can't pass for the deep water test they usually do ship repairs and ship cleanings. Good luck with what ever you decide to do

al1tonyota · Jul 23, 2015

NTIDWELL said:
Dam good job. With very well pay but most drivers only last 5-10yrs if they are lucky to much nitrogen in lungs and can't pass the test but money good while your getting it. Most under water welders I know is 150k-200k a yr. after they can't pass for the deep water test they usually do ship repairs and ship cleanings. Good luck with what ever you decide to do

Do you know the way into those jobs?

creepycrawly · Jul 24, 2015

NTIDWELL said:
Dam good job. With very well pay but most drivers only last 5-10yrs if they are lucky to much nitrogen in lungs and can't pass the test but money good while your getting it. Most under water welders I know is 150k-200k a yr. after they can't pass for the deep water test they usually do ship repairs and ship cleanings. Good luck with what ever you decide to do

I think your numbers might be off a little. While I won't say it's impossible to make that, based on what I have found, the job pays around 40-60k with the average in the New Jersey area being $119k.

Seems like it would be an awesome career. I have always said if I had a career change forced on me, offshore oil rigs would be where I went for as long as I could stand it.

5BrothersFabrication · Jul 24, 2015

My first choice would have been Florida, but no way I could go back to making ~$30k.

Second choice would be Louisiana, but purple and gold people make me homicidal.

So I'll just keep welding the toobs at home for fun.

halcat · Jul 24, 2015

I had SE DIVING from south Carolina come to Winchester Tenn. In December and four young men worked one long day installing piping 30' under water for a water intake system and with all men, there equipment and cert of ins, the bill was only $3050.00. They started at 8:00 am and finished at 9:00 pm. That's not very good pay, at least I don't think so. They also had a office and boss in Carolina.

jeeptj99 · Jul 24, 2015

If youre serious my best friend from high school is an underwater welder I can get you his number and you can talk to him about it. He went to school somewhere in Florida if I remember right. I know he makes damn good money but he is also gone all the time traveling. PM me if you want to talk to him.

CHASMAN9 · Jul 24, 2015

Are you sure it's "all about the money"?

Neal3000 · Jul 24, 2015

Isn't underwater welding one of the most dangerous jobs in the world?

NTIDWELL · Jul 24, 2015

creepycrawly said:
I think your numbers might be off a little. While I won't say it's impossible to make that, based on what I have found, the job pays around 40-60k with the average in the New Jersey area being $119k.

Seems like it would be an awesome career. I have always said if I had a career change forced on me, offshore oil rigs would be where I went for as long as I could stand it.

I know my numbers ain't off because I sign the ****ers bills I was referring to oilflied underwater welders. Not an average commercial diver big difference

NTIDWELL · Jul 24, 2015

Neal3000 said:
Isn't underwater welding one of the most dangerous jobs in the world?

Yes it is life expectancy of 3 yrs

kmcminn · Jul 24, 2015

NTIDWELL said:
I know my numbers ain't off because I sign the ****ers bills I was referring to oilflied underwater welders. Not an average commercial diver big difference

Them numbers he got probably something that popped up on Google.

Seems like traveling to oil rigs around the world would be where the money is at. A friend of mine was electrican on oil rigs around world not just in Gulf. Made serious money.

bgredjeep · Jul 24, 2015

I have no idea about the money, but I have a cousin from Charleston who had no dive or welding experience. He went to school for underwater welding and was certified in both (diving and underwater welding) and now works for an aquarium in California.

lowbudgetjunk · Jul 24, 2015

Get a job welding for an oil company or someone that contracts for them. My brother-in-law makes very good money, running a crew making large storage tanks for petroleum products. His minions starting pay is over 85k a year. I would imagine the underwater side would probably double that.

Certs (minus the diving side) don't mean near as much to them as real world X-ray, pressure test, etc. It would be a great test of who you are and how well you work in solitary. Welding is a lonely job to start with. Put you underwater and turn off the lights, give you some electricity attached to a switch......not for me, but I do respect the **** out of someone that could do that.