Curious on SCUBA jobs

[I Dive]

I'm currently in a DM program in the Tampa Florida area and know when I complete it, the odds of earning any $ besides tips as a DM are slim. I also know instructors aren't paid tons of money, but if anyone is comfortable giving me an idea how much instructors are paid, I'd really appreciate it. That's not exactly a question I'm comfortable asking my instructor or other instructors at the same shop. I'm not expecting exact figures, I just want some sort of a general idea. Are we talking $20K a year? $30K?

 

[Al Mialkovsky]

Few make much of anything even if you do it full time. Your figures aren't far off. I know a few shops that will only give instructors free junk, no money at all.

I made a poor living at it the past few years but it was more about what I love doing rather than making a living.

 

[oly5050user]

Keep it as a second job,doing something that you really like to do..That said,dive facilities all seem topay different rates.Some pay next to nothing and others pay fairly decent..The facility I previously taught at paid poorly-example is teach ow from start to training dives for a class of 5-you got paid $300..
The facility I am at now pays hourly for academics and pool and by the head for training dives.So for the same class of 5 I have the potential of making $720..Amount of classes and training dives varies as area is seasonal and the needs of the business changes.I also teach privately -charge my own fee-and then the rate is better to the tune of $1500.class of 5 acad/pool and $1000. training dives.Of course out of that amount I pay for books and pool time.

 

[I Dive]

Thanks guys! I've actually been leaning towards Oly's advice for some time now. It seems like an awesome second job, and seems like a pretty simple to start , doing private instruction on the side. As much as I'd love to be one of those people who could walk away from a good income to take a huge pay cut to do what he loves, that's just not an option for me. I like money, and I'm single, which makes me the only source of income in my house. I don't think the bank is going to much care if I took an enormous pay cut to reduce stress and do what I enjoy. They are still going to want the same amount of money the first of every month!

 

[japan-diver]

If you want to make a living teaching scuba ask an instructor that does it. Those of us who do this full time the salaries range from 20-30K to over 70K a year for experienced instructors that have a clientele making a living is no problem.
Instruction can be a great part time job but also you can make a living at it. As with most jobs the starting salaries are small but if you prove your worth to a good shop there are alot of good wage jobs out there in the industry.

 

[shoupart]

hey there- I just noticed this thread. I work for a new company that wants to give independent instructors a fair shot (and a commission on the gear that their students buy).

I've worked for a dive shop here in SoCal in the past and noticed that a lot of instructors are forced to work with a dive center that pays them a pittance, and the indie instructors struggle because there's no support for them if they're not aligned with a store.

Our goal is to help the independent guy out and level the playing field. Or better yet, tip it in his favor