Instructors pay....

[AndyNZ]

All that responsibility for minimum wage? I've met many Instructor's in paradise waiting tables because they made more money than teaching or working as a DM.

Totally agree. The biggest, most successful charter company here only offer their instructors hourly-paid contracts, and most of them end up working part time in the local pizzeria to cover their basic living costs.

Now, part time instructing where you get a (small) second income, you can pick and choose what you want to do, get good gear discount, the occasional free dive trip.... bring it on.

 

[nessum]

I figured that to and did the conversion. It is still insane. $600 Canadian is $515 USD. I paid $250 for everything in Hawaii. Don't know about mainland prices but haven't heard many ever state prices that high in the U.S.

Is that normal range for Canada.

With taxes in, its costs about $350 Cdn to get certified in Vancouver. And, no... there's no ice covering our water at any time of year.

 

[Whatgoesdown]

I've always heard insturctors don't make money. In fact, they are lucky to break even. I'm looking for a place to do my IDC. I contacted AquaWorld in Cancun. They had this on the attachment they sent me.....

We have some of the highest paid instructors in the world in Mexico: $2000-$4000 USD per month average, some make even more.

Does anyone know if this is ture? I mean for the average instructor? I'm a teacher and would deffinately say I'm not rich, but this is the same range as what I get paid. I'm sure a scuba instructor would be more fun than teaching school. Anyone have more information on this?

$2000-$4000 per month is not an average, it is a pretty broad range. The average is probably closer to the $2500 mark. But that is not bad pay in Mexico and you can live quite well on that if your needs are simple. Shops that quote these broad ranges generally pay commission, either on sales or teaching, or both so you make money based on how motivated you are to go out and do the work. In my experience, most instructors can sustain the enthusiam for about six months. After that your income starts to suffer. Tips can also be good but never count on them to make up deficits in your wages.

The best way to earn better money in diving is to gain mechanical qualifications, diesel engines or outboards. If you can keep boats running the shop will pay you accordingly!

 

[DementialFaith]

What about instructor level? Certainly an open water instructor shouldn't be paid as much as a specialty insuctor or a course director?

 

[DanBMW]

Really must be "supply vs. Demand" because in the Tampa Bay area (Florida) it is quite a bit less. Not unusual for most advanced courses to be in the $75 to $100 range. Guess it has to do with the amount of gear purchased. Probably be more efficient and fun for those seeking the advanced classes to fly to Tampa.

 

[ScubaMike14]

Here is what it will involve

1. Working about 91 hours per week (7AM - 8PM - 7 days a week) about $5.50 HR
2. Teaching classes day and night when not on the boat
3. Crewing on the boats
4. Entertaining guests
5. Scrubbing and cleaning the boats and head
6. Being responsible for lots of divers in the water (stress)
7. Absolutely no time for yourself

Ken

I worked as a DM in the Bahamas for a while, was offered about $500 a week and was going to get my IDC for free. What Ken wrote above is absolutely, 100% true. Diving was no longer fun and I began to dislike it. That's why I am now freezing my @$$ off in Colorado rather than on a sunny beach in the Carribean.

 

[WICKED_WIZARD]

What about instructor level? Certainly an open water instructor shouldn't be paid as much as a specialty insuctor or a course director?

There does seem to be a difference in pay between agency instructors.
As NAUI instructors directly after qualifying, can teach from OW right up to and including DM, they can teach all the specialties except technical specialties or special specialties. For those they only need to apply for rights to teach and if you have the qualifications you will be allowed to teach. Thus a NAUI instructor strait from the start can teach up to DM, night, deep, drift, nitrox, coral, wreck external survey and many more. I do know that in Padi there is different instructor levels and do presume they would be paid accordingly. My prices I gave was for NAUI instructors. Any one got any info or experience as to differences in pay abroad for different agency instructors?

 

[Tom Yerian]

Working for a busy shop hear inthis country, just teaching and DM, at 50hrs/pw I can, and have made that much easily. If you throw in pvt. Instrn., much more.I make the best money in the tech. Instr. associated with wreck/ deep technologies!I still love to work as a DM though! I started out as a DM with Capt. Billy Deans, on stock Island, ( mm4.4 ), In Key West, back in 1981, on the Diver1, as a DM for Billy. Then I graduated to the Diver II, the wreck expeditions boat, diving the Wilksbarre, and the Curb, and the S-16,wwI sub.In those days you really learned, the profession of Divemastering. Since then, There have been times I hired on only as a Dm at shops, and would not teach at all. I really love to be a divemaster. Is there anyone out there that dove the tech. dives with us befor there was such a thing as tech. diving.In those days, the shop
was called " Reef Raiders", owned by Franco and Georgia, Piachabella; I think thats how you spell his last name.Anyway, is there anyone out there that dove with us in those days? Write back at, tyerian@charter.net. I would love to here from you. Merry Christmas and a Happy new Year to all, and, for the political correct????GOD bless you all!!!!....Capt Tom Yerian

 

[cuddlefish]

Take a close look at every Instructor you know. Ask yourself: what kind of car are they driving? Nissan Frontier and Honda motorcyclewhat are their living arrangements? what time do they get up in the morning and go to bed @ night? Get to work at 7:30am and get off work at 4pmhow many days a week do they work? Five days a weekare there any benefits like vacation or health insurance or retirement? 3 weeks paid vacation each year, an incredible health insurance plan...I paid $12 for an MRI and that included round-trip airfare!, very good retirement planDo you know of any person that has taught diving for a living for a long time that has a high standard of living? I have worked as an instructor since 1991 and live in a gorgeous house with amazing view of the ocean, yard full of palm trees and am a spoiled brat for sureThe average tenure is about 18 months. Realize you have insurance and dues that will cost you about $800/yr just to say you are a SCUBA Inst.Insurance paid by my employer
All that responsibility for minimum wage? I suppose I make about $35,000 per year...nothing huge but I get by.I've met many Instructor's in paradise waiting tables because they made more money than teaching or working as a DM. Sad, but very true.
As far as the ad------I know better.
Bill

It is possible to make a living doing this under the right conditions. Have some back up investments to support your retirement!