California Median
$101,540
per year
Hourly Rate
$48.82
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+39% vs US median
US median $72,990
State Rank
#4 of 19
310 employed here
How much does a Commercial Diver make in California?
A Commercial Diver working in California earns a median salary of $101,540 per year, or about $48.82 per hour. That is 39% above the national median of $72,990 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $39,980 while the top 10% make $152,760 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $39,980 and $131,110 a year.
Commercial Diver salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,980 | $19.22 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $39,980 | $19.22 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $101,540 | $48.82 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $131,110 | $63.03 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $152,760 | $73.44 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 4th out of 19 states and territories for Commercial Diver pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Commercial Diver salary in other states
Washington $161,800New York $157,800Rhode Island $126,320Hawaii $95,750New Jersey $86,920Arizona $85,990Vermont $85,780Indiana $83,510Maine $74,610Kentucky $63,550Missouri $63,030Virginia $62,340Louisiana $62,230Connecticut $59,690Michigan $54,620Florida $49,640South Carolina $49,260Texas $46,490
Working as a Commercial Diver in California
Nationally, about 3,000 people work as Commercial Divers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($101,540) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Commercial Diver make in California?
The median Commercial Diver salary in California is $101,540 per year, or about $48.82 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $39,980 at the entry level to $152,760 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Commercial Divers about 39% more than the national median of $72,990. California ranks 4th out of 19 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Commercial Divers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $101,540 a year. About 310 Commercial Divers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Commercial Diver salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.