How much do PADI Course Directors earn?

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Almost a Master Instructor now and never stopping to progress, but at this step on the PADI ladder I'm asking myself whether it's worth (financially) to keep climbing and pay the $10,000+ it costs to become a Course Director.

Any ideas of what Course Directors can expect to make annually (average or median income) in various settings and locations?

Any and all replies appreciated.
 
Interested in following this conversation as I have been thinking the exact same thing for a while now.
Recently seen an experienced CD shown the door from a medium sized operation ...and replaced by a Staff Instructor teaching the course...with another CD popping in now and again for orientation and to show fsce. I wasn't sure this was allowed...but having asked around it seems it might be ! Another thing to think about spending 12000+ Usd...
 
Look at your local market and see if there is a need for it. How long will it take to get a return on investment? Do you have a PADI 5 star IDC you can associate with? What does that center pay for a CD, or does the CD pay the center to conduct a IDC there and keep what is left after expenses? How many IDC courses or students in a year can you expect? I work out of a fairly busy 5 star IDC here in Westchester NY , I have group and private ow classes every week and would not consider going for my CD as it will not be a good return on investment locally here.
Teaching for 40 + years, IDCS issued over 1,000 certifications.
 
Interested in following this conversation as I have been thinking the exact same thing for a while now.
Recently seen an experienced CD shown the door from a medium sized operation ...and replaced by a Staff Instructor teaching the course...with another CD popping in now and again for orientation and to show fsce. I wasn't sure this was allowed...but having asked around it seems it might be ! Another thing to think about spending 12000+ Usd...
Actually a IDC staff instructor can do this as I understand. Only the first presentation must be done by a CD .
 
That's what I found out...What an absolute joke ! Hence no 12000USD "invested"...
 
The more financially successful course directors that I have encountered either travel around to multiple dive locations or own a shop. A course director that I will be taking a course from next year does IDCs in four different countries. Most course directors that remain local seem to have to teach a variety of levels of students, not just instructors.

Even then some of the most success course directors still hold down a normal job.

I thought about it for a while, but just cannot get the numbers to add up.
 
It used to be that dive instructors were dime a dozen and being a Course Director was something special. Nowadays, Course Directors are also dime a dozen. There's one every corner. Therefore, expect the pay to be as low as it is for dive instructors, especially since they can easily be replaced by an IDC Staff instructor who will most likely do it for free to 'gain experience' for his/her Course Director Training Course (CDTC) application.

(...) CD popping in now and again for orientation and to show fsce (...)

The Course Director actually has to be 'available' when the IDC Staff is teaching. But, ya... The IDC Staff can do most of everything.

As mentioned above, Course Directors who make a living are teaching all level of training, not just instructors. It is possible that they can more easily 'sell their credentials' and recruit entry-level students by being Course Directors - but it's unlikely, as most entry-level divers have no idea what a CD is.

To make (some) money, you will have to be actively involved in recruiting instructor candidates. You would have to start by being very active at teaching rescue divers and divemasters. The flip side of the discussion, here, is: I've seen instructors become Course Directors and then expect the local dive shop to do all the recruiting and marketing for them, while they sit at home and wait for an IDC to be scheduled. That doesn't work.

(...) Hence no 12000USD "invested"...

I think you would find out that the total cost of a CDTC is much more than that (with hotel, transportation, etc, etc).

But, eh... It's a nice diploma in your business office next to your pilot license! :wink:
 
Actually a IDC staff instructor can do this as I understand. Only the first presentation must be done by a CD .
True, but the standard states that the CD must be "present and in control for all IDC or OWSI program activities." To be clean, the CD does not have to present anything after the orientation, but the CD can not leave and allow the IDC Staff Instructor to conduct the program.
 
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