Underwater welding is a special type of work that needs a high level of expertise and professional training for performing work. There is more technicality needed for this work, but it also has a high risk, so it needed to pay a high rate. If you are interested in working as an underwater welder, then you need to understand the job description and salary requirements for this job if you are an expert at doing underwater welding. In this post, we will cover details for underwater welder salary and other parameters. So let’s get started with What Is the Average Salary of Underwater Welders?
What is an underwater welder?
- Underwater welders are commercial divers who perform their duties for performing different welding operations underwater. The underwater welder, also called hyperbaric welding, has the job of doing welding steel for repairing deep-sea designs and structures such as oil rigs, ships, and pipelines.
- There are special welding and diving tools used, such as hot water suits, waterproof electrodes, and diving bells.
What are underwater welder job duties?
The job of an underwater welder is physically and mentally arduous. Divers remain isolated for a longer time in cold and difficult conditions. The main job description for underwater welders is as follows.
- They work under the sea for many days.
- They needed to dive about more than 2500 meters.
- Undertaking saturation diving and living in a cramped diving bell.
- Use different layers of protective clothing and breathing apparatus.
- Spend more time for decompression chambers after surfaces.
- Travel to remote locations such as the North Sea or Indian Ocean.
- They also work on short notice.
Who employs underwater welders?
Underwater welders can get work in different marine industries that need underwater metalwork and manufacturing skills. There are some main industries where underwater jobs are available.
- The oil and gas industry is the main employer for underwater welders who check and repair their deep-sea assets.
- The armed forces needed trained underwater welders for working on strategic military projects.
- Hyperbaric welders work as salvage crews for working on shipwrecks and other deep-sea projects.
- Underwater welders install and repair offshore wind farms.
- Underwater welders make work to undertake emergency repairs for damaged vessels.
Skills for underwater welders
Concentration
- Underwater welding is a highly technical process that needs certain tools and processes. They needed proper attention to provide welding work according to requirements and safety standards.
- The welder set their focus on jobs for difficult conditions and also managed low visibility and had limited communication for surface screws.
Manual dexterity
- For accurate repair work, they work with their hands for repairing underwater designs. They also control the current supply for the welding process. Some welders use gloves, but some work is performed without gloves with bare hands; that causes cramping and fatigue.
Observation skills
- Underwater welders not only do welding repairs but are also needed to inspect affected structures. They needed training for finding some damage signs and planning repairs. That can be a difficult process since visibility is low.
What Is the Average Salary of Underwater Welders?
- Underwater welders earn higher salaries than other workers. Their salaries are high based on harsh conditions, and they needed special skills that involved high risk. Underwater welders in the USA normally get $25,000 to $80,000 per year.
- The highly experienced offshore underwater welders can earn more than $100,000 annually.
Factors Affecting Underwater Welding Salaries
- Experience for work is the main factor affecting underwater welder salaries. Entry-level underwater welders in the USA can earn about $25,000 to $40,000 in one year based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The welder that has more than five years of experience can earn $60,000-$80,000 annually.
- Geographic locations are also an important factor for defining salaries based on regions. The high-paying underwater welding jobs are offshore oil rig positions in the Gulf of Mexico where salaries are from $40,000 to over $200,000 per year. In the North Sea region, underwater welders earn about $60,000-$100,000.
- Employers also have an effect on the salary of underwater welders. Underwater welders working for offshore oil rig companies get high earnings, normally $60,000 to $200,000. The commercial diving companies pay $40,000-$80,000 annually. Construction firms hiring for inland projects such as bridges and dams pay underwater welders about $35,000-$70,000.
- Some other factors also affect underwater income; if you have a saturation-dividing certification, you can earn more $10,000-$20,000 for your yearly pay. Hyperbaric welding experience for welding gets 25 percent high base pay. The inspection credentials increase the importance of employers.
Top 10 Highest Paying Cities for Underwater Welding Jobs
| City | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage
|
| Kentville, NS | $71,685 | $5,973 | $1,378 | $34.46 |
| Whitehorse, YT | $71,229 | $5,935 | $1,369 | $34.24 |
| Carcross, YT | $71,187 | $5,932 | $1,368 | $34.22 |
| Haines Junction, YT | $70,944 | $5,912 | $1,364 | $34.11 |
| North Cowichan, BC | $70,735 | $5,894 | $1,360 | $34.01 |
| Duncan, BC | $70,463 | $5,871 | $1,355 | $33.88 |
| Oak Bay, BC | $70,335 | $5,861 | $1,352 | $33.81 |
| Victoria, BC | $70,037 | $5,836 | $1,346 | $33.67 |
| Alberton, PE | $69,383 | $5,781 | $1,334 | $33.36 |
| Courtenay, BC | $69,197 | $5,766 | $1,330 | $33.27 |
Top 5 Best Paying Underwater Welding Jobs in the U.S.A
| Job Title | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage
|
| Research And Development Mechanical Engineer | $112,200 | $9,350 | $2,157 | $53.94 |
| Mechanical Product Design Engineer | $94,156 | $7,846 | $1,810 | $45.27 |
| Fluid Mechanics Engineer | $79,812 | $6,651 | $1,534 | $38.37 |
| Alten | $54,791 | $4,565 | $1,053 | $26.34 |
| Entry Data Engineer | $40,504 | $3,375 | $778 | $19.47 |
How to become an underwater welder?
Training
- The aspirants who want to become underwater welders need education and some certifications. Normally started with the completion of a professional underwater welding program, normally available through commercial diving schools or technical colleges. These intensive programs offer hands-on training in shielded metallic arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, and flux-cored arc welding processes.
- With the welding coursework, you can earn some certifications such as
- Commercial Diver Certification from the Association of Commercial Diving Educators
- Welding Certifications from the American Welding Society (AWS)
Skills
- The successful underwater welder needed high skills with welding experience. The main skills focus is.
- Good physical fitness for handling different conditions.
- Mental stamina and ability to work alone for a longer time.
- Detailed knowledge of metallurgy and welding processes.
- Strong math, reading, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to follow complicated safety protocols accurately
Work Environment
- Working conditions for underwater welders are harsh and difficult. They needed to have welds in closed spaces underwater for 1000 feet (0.3 km) and in very low temperatures, with less visible possibilities and heavy instruments. So the following strict rules for avoiding injury are important. Underwater welders normally work for 12 or more hours, from boats, offshore rigs, or underwater habitats for many days.
Career Outlook
- Based on the USA Bureau of Labor Statistics, the main job description of commercial divers, such as underwater welders, is growing about 7 percent through 2031 with other occupations. The special skills and certifications come with good jobs. With larger scales for offshore oil, gas, renewable energy, and marina design, demand for skilled underwater welding professionals will remain high for the coming years.
Career options for underwater welding
Commercial Diver
- Commercial divers work underwater in a professional capacity, performing different tasks such as repairs, construction, and offshore support. Some commercial divers are certified welders, and others work for only diving duties. Commercial divers work on projects such as offshore oil rigs, bridges, dams, and underwater filming. They get a salary in the range of $30,000 for entry-level, and experienced people can get about $90,000 per year.
Remote Operated Vehicle Pilot
- ROVs are underwater vehicles that operate with a pilot from a remote distance. They are used normally in offshore energy industries for inspection, pipeline maintenance, surveys, etc. ROVs pilot control these vehicles and related tools from the surface ship. The salary for an ROV pilot is about $50,000 to over $100,000 per year.
Offshore Construction Worker
- Offshore construction projects such as oil rigs, wind farms, and marine structures needed a complete crew of underwater professionals. Their main role is to use marine operators, welders, construction divers, rigs, and pile divers.
- Their salaries are based on jobs; offshore construction workers earn about $40,000 to over $100,000 yearly. Supervisors and project managers get high pay.
Underwater Inspector
- The inspection of underwater structures and instruments is a difficult process and needs high quality. Underwater inspectors work through imaging technology, testing techniques, and visual assessment for solving errors for pipelines, ship hulls, and offshore rigs. They find damage, corrosion, and any issue that needs repair. Underwater inspector salary is about $60,000 to $120,000+ annually, according to qualifications and location.
Some Benefits and Considerations for Underwater Welders
- With getting regular pay, underwater welders also get some more benefits and considerations. They come with overtime compensation, performance-based bonuses, and hazard pay that is provided due to the nature of the job and related risks.
- Career progress and salary increases are also get based on experience, the use of more certifications, and professional progress in the industry.
- Consider health and safety issues for the underwater welding process. This job is high risk, such as facing high pressure and electrical hazards. There is a need to maintain a work-life balance, and getting job satisfaction is also important for an underwater welding job.
