Where I am, there are three different kinds of DM gigs:
—Helping with OW, AOW, Rescue, Specialty courses: LDS pays nothing to DM. Students are encouraged to tip, but few tip much—and why should they pay above the agreed-upon course cost to have a higher student:instructor ratio? (Concerned non-diver moms who anxiously hover around the training site and see you’re looking out for their kids are the most reliable tippers, but you seldom get more than one per class.) DM gets free air and admission to dive site. Basically, it’s a non-revenue, experience-building day.
—Leading “Discover Local Diving” day trips. LDS organizes trip and pays DM a nominal fee. Some tips. DM gets free air, admission to dive sites and fee/tips that cover cost of gas and meals consumed along the way plus maybe a little bit.
DM on 6-pax charter boats. Tips only. Anywhere from $60-$120 for a half-day 2-tank trip.
Except for some young people on the charter boats, I don’t know anyone trying to make a full time job out of this. There seem to be a high proportion of retired military folks like me, working sporadically and not worrying about getting anything more than occasional pocket money.
—Helping with OW, AOW, Rescue, Specialty courses: LDS pays nothing to DM. Students are encouraged to tip, but few tip much—and why should they pay above the agreed-upon course cost to have a higher student:instructor ratio? (Concerned non-diver moms who anxiously hover around the training site and see you’re looking out for their kids are the most reliable tippers, but you seldom get more than one per class.) DM gets free air and admission to dive site. Basically, it’s a non-revenue, experience-building day.
—Leading “Discover Local Diving” day trips. LDS organizes trip and pays DM a nominal fee. Some tips. DM gets free air, admission to dive sites and fee/tips that cover cost of gas and meals consumed along the way plus maybe a little bit.
DM on 6-pax charter boats. Tips only. Anywhere from $60-$120 for a half-day 2-tank trip.
Except for some young people on the charter boats, I don’t know anyone trying to make a full time job out of this. There seem to be a high proportion of retired military folks like me, working sporadically and not worrying about getting anything more than occasional pocket money.