Also called: Research Diver
Dives to collect samples, survey reefs, and maintain underwater instruments for research.
You suit up and descend to a coral reef to count fish and photograph corals, or replace sensors on an underwater observatory.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Certificate, about 2 years after high school. Scuba certification plus AAUS scientific diver training; usually a science degree.
Ways in: Certification, 4-year college, On-the-job training. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Marine Biology, Oceanography, Environmental Science.
Growing about average. BLS does not project this specialty separately; rating estimated from related occupations.
Low risk for 10 years. Divers who count fish and fix underwater sensors by hand are still needed; underwater drones help some.
Classes: Biology, Physics, Earth science.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-4099.
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.