Saturation divers typically earn well above average for commercial diving, with pay driven by depth, contract length, location, and specialized skills. Based on recent industry sources, salaries commonly fall into the high five- figure to six-figure range annually, with significant variability by country and project. Direct answer
- In the United States, typical annual earnings for saturation divers often range from about $150,000 to $180,000 or more, depending on contracts, overtime, and depth pay. Some reports and industry aggregators cite higher totals for experienced personnel on long or specialized projects.
- In other regions (e.g., UK, Europe, Middle East), daily or hourly rates are frequently used, and total annual earnings can align with the high end of standard commercial diver pay when depth pay and long deployments are included. For example, UK-based summaries indicate higher-than-average compensation tied to depth pay and market demand.
- Entry to mid-career saturation divers often start with lucrative contracts but may require years of experience in commercial diving and specialized certifications (e.g., underwater welding, NDT) to command top-tier rates. Initial pay figures in some sources suggest substantial starting salaries on shorter contracts, progressing with experience.
What drives variation
- Depth and duration: Deeper and longer saturation campaigns typically yield higher depth pay and longer deployment stipends.
- Location and market demand: Regions with active offshore projects (oil & gas, renewables) tend to offer higher day rates or monthly earnings.
- Specialized skills: Welding, NDT, and project management add premium value.
- Contract structure: Some pay monthly salaries; others rely on daily rates plus depth pay, with allowances for meals, lodging, and safety equipment.
Notes
- Salary figures for saturation diving are highly environment-specific and can fluctuate with market cycles, commodity prices, and safety regulations. Always verify current contracts and employer specifics for precise numbers.
If you’d like, I can tailor this to a specific country, currency, or timeframe and compare typical packages (daily rate, depth pay, allowances) used in that market.
