Diving Instructor Wages

[Diver0001]

Hello,

I am 15 and currently an Advanced Open Water Diver and my aim is to become a PADI diving instructor (gotta wait another 3 years tho...). I'm wondering if anyone has any infomation on the wages of a diving instructor.Thanks,

Kimball Chilcott

Hi Kimball,

In western Europe it pays badly. Very badly. In the Netherlands an experienced instructor gets paid about 1/2 of minimum wage. DM's get paid about 1/2 of that. That's about what people pay baby-sitters here.....

That said, working as a divepro can be it's own reward and setting that as a goal for yourself is in no way (in my opinion) a waste of time effort or money. Make sure when you get that far that you invest the energy in keeping active.

And finally, since you're young I'll say that if you want to work in the tropics, being a divepro can offer a nice lifestyle for a while. You'll live a bit like a tourist/transient and you'll work long hours but you'll have the time of your life doing it.

R..

 

[RIDIVER501]

A buddy of mine put himself throught college divemastering during the summers at a resort in Jamacia. that might not be a bad idea. you can get your degree and dive experience too.

 

[FatCat]

However, there is nothing wrong an education in the medical, law, engineering or accounting field.

Don't become an accountant, laddie. Take it from me, don't.

Go study something you like. And keep diving...

 

[freefall2]

I worked on a liveaboard dive boat for 4 years before I got onto yachts. The divemasters/instructors were getting $25/day plus tips which averaged $400 for each crew member for a week long trip, plus they got a cut of the course fee if they were teaching on the trip. That was a US flagged ship, they pay even less in the islands. It was hard work, long days but it was mostly a lot of fun. The great thing about working on boats is you generally don't have any living expenses. It's a great way to save up for your tuition or, like we're doing, for retirement!

 

[ranger]

Kimball, I wholeheartedly agree that you should get your degree, in something, and then use the Instructor cert part time. I'm just finishing up my original career as an electrical engineer, and using my Instructor cert to fall back on when retiring. Make sure you get your education first, because that is something no one can take away from you.

 

[Island Hoppa]

Kimball, I wholeheartedly agree that you should get your degree, in something, and then use the Instructor cert part time. I'm just finishing up my original career as an electrical engineer, and using my Instructor cert to fall back on when retiring. Make sure you get your education first, because that is something no one can take away from you.

hey man. i was goin to suggest to you to go in the US Navy and pursue a diving career where you can make much more money than a recreatioal instructor anyday. whether it was combat, deep, construction, or whatever. but then i realized you dont live in the us and are not a us citizen. so college is by far your best option. good luck to your future.

 

[Quarrior]

hey man. i was goin to suggest to you to go in the US Navy and pursue a diving career where you can make much more money than a recreatioal instructor anyday. whether it was combat, deep, construction, or whatever. but then i realized you dont live in the us and are not a us citizen. so college is by far your best option. good luck to your future.

Don't feel bad on not being able to recommend the US military considering the average first term enlisted person makes just about enough to keep them off welfare if they are not married with kids.

 

[wedivebc]

hey man. i was goin to suggest to you to go in the US Navy and pursue a diving career where you can make much more money than a recreatioal instructor anyday. whether it was combat, deep, construction, or whatever. but then i realized you dont live in the us and are not a us citizen. so college is by far your best option. good luck to your future.

Actually they do have a Navy in the UK. You may have heard of it

Merry Christmas.

 

[Mako Mark]

they are supposed to pay us???

 

[Diver0001]

they are supposed to pay us???

Well I heard that divepros get paid in beer and sexx in Cancun. In fact last year we had an article in the local dive rag about divepros working as gigolos in Mexico (I think) to supplement their wages. Any truth to that?

R..