Also called: Underwater Camera Operator, Underwater Photographer
Films sharks, reefs, and shipwrecks for documentaries, movies, and science.
Underwater camera operators spend hours waiting in the water for the perfect shot, wrestling heavy camera housings and controlling lighting. Big projects like nature documentaries can mean months at remote locations.
Highly variable freelance income; top documentary shooters earn well into six figures.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Film or photography training plus advanced dive certifications; a portfolio matters more than a degree.
Ways in: Self-taught, 4-year college, On-the-job training. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Film Production, Photography, Marine Biology.
Growing about average (about 3% over 10 years).
Medium risk for 10 years. AI-generated ocean video hurts stock footage sales; real wildlife and expedition filming keep human divers working.
Classes: Photography or film class, Physical education and swimming, AP Biology.
Official data: O*NET occupation 27-4031.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.