Divemasters! Instructors! Do share.

[basiltan]

Perhaps a subject not widely discussed. I absolutely love diving. And what better way to indulge and share knowledge and get paid for it than becoming a DM or Instructor. My question to the experts is "Can you make a decent living as an Instructor or DM?".
How much is the average profit from, say, each successful student? Is there a fixed commission?

I'm curious to know and would like to someday reach DM or Instructor level just for the passion.

 

[MikeFerrara]

As a instructor and dive shop I have spent many thousands of dollars and worked thousands of hours. No profit yet. At this point I will feel lucky if I find a way to get some portion of my original investment back. If your looking to make money, do something else.

 

[freediver]

As an instructor and dive store manager, I'm afraid I have to agree with Mike. While rewarding in terms of job enjoyment, the financial compensation is just not there. You would be better off doing it as an income supplement if anything.

 

[-=>Larry<=-]

Just a DM here, with primary activity - helping with classes.
No compensation - just good deals from the LDS on air[free] & equipment[markedly cheaper].
I've heard that those that work for resorts & dive operations actually get marginally paid and even get tips!!!

Income supplement sounds the best you should plan for - I'm thinking of Isntructing/DMing as a retirement, keep you busy & having fun type of activity!

Cheers -=>Larry<=-

 

[TCDiver1]

But i think it depends on what you consider a living wage. As an instructor in our area you can expect to make roughly minimum wage for the hours put in. Not bad IMO, if it's a second job. Terrible if it's your only income. Many can & do make more by teaching larger classes.

Problem is, larger classes tend to be lower quality than smaller ones. Less one on one mentoring of students, not a good thing.

The other thing to understand is that teaching scuba is harder on you & less glamorous than many think. Try diving four or five times a day, five or six days a week and see how you feel. There is reason you don't see many older DM's & instructors on resort boats. It is not easy!

 

[Dee]

As -=Larry=- mentioned, I don't get paid. The free air fills are handy and the discounts on gear were nice when still buying gear. But after a few years, I have enough gear to outfit several divers and have no need for more, so that particular perk wears out pretty quick.

Unless you live in a coastal area and plan to DM on/with a charter service, you won't even make tips. But DM'ing is one of the most rewarding things I do. To have a part in starting new divers, to see the wonder in their eyes and on their faces is something you'll never get over. The diving you do as a DM isn't the same as going out and diving for fun or going on a trip, but it can still be enjoyable

I doubt I'll ever go on to Instructor. Of all the Instructors I know in my area, only one dives outside of class unless it's a shop sponsored trip. They all have 'regular' jobs and all their spare time is spent teaching instead of out diving for fun. We (Beast and I) fell into that trap ourselves the first couple of years we DM'd. But after a while we just got burned out and viewed it more as a job and didn't enjoy it as much. We laid out almost a year and now it's fun again. We restrict out DM dudties to once a month, the rest of the time we dive for fun.

So think long and hard about it. do it because you love to share your knowledge and enjoy working with all kinds of people. If you got into it for the money, you're going to be sadly disappointed.

 

[ElectricZombie]

Nope, you don't really make any money. You make enough to offset your own expenses such as insurance, gas, etc and buy some gear afterwards. You get some benefits though; free diving, free tank rentals/fills, discounted gear, free gear servicing, etc.

It's a very fun job, but would not pay the bills unless I was in a very good location with a ton of students and able to work full time.

 

[DiveTub]

If you want to work in some of the best places on earth, Dive yourself stupid and work like a dog earning almost zero dollars, then full diving dive instruction is for you.

It is not a carrer, you will come out the other side with no money.

It is however a fantsatic way to suppliment a real job. I teach private courses on a part-time basis, I love it, I make enough money to support my diving habit and have a wonderful time showing and teaching other to explore and enjoy this sport

 

[Drew Sailbum]

but you must carefully choose your place of work.

While I don't make what I did in my previous job, I earn enough to comfortably afford an apartment on the shore on Grand Cayman's East End. I don't have to worry about paying my bills, and I average about 1.5 dives per work day.

To secure the better paying dive jobs, you need to be able to offer an employer a variety of skills. Highly sought skills include: liscensed boat captain - US Coast Guard or RYA preferred; compressor maintainence; regulator & BCD repair; speak multiple languages - English, German, and French primarily; and marine engine repair.

Finally, while DMs can get work in some locales, instructors can more easily obtain work.

 

[basiltan]

Thanks a million for the wonderful insights, and such prompt replies to boot! I just wanted to know so I asked. Thanks to the experts above. We really appreciate your help and advice, your guidence underwater and your unending passion for the sea (don't think it went unnoticed). I know how reassuring it is to have one of you guys down there. Cheers