Lost_At_Sea
Contributor
What do DM's make at dive shops or resorts? I know they get paid for helping classes, but, how much do they get paid? And, are DM's at resorts on hourly or salary? Thanks.
Salaries for DM's
- Thread starter Lost_At_Sea
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khacken
Contributor
I know the DMs at my LDS work for tips only, and those are not all that much either.
Not a career choice for me. When I retire then I'd like to get into instruction. Till then I'll just continue my diving eduaction.
At least some DMs get paid here in Croatia, but again, not much - about 650 EUR/month.
Speaking from experience here in Texas. DM's work for the fun of it, free air, discounted gear and the occaional tip. At most resorts I have been to the DM may get a small stipend, but mostly work for tips.
I believe it is celery for DM's
seadoggirl
Guest
The DMs I know work for tips but also work in a dive shop where they earn an hourly wage that is horribly low. They do get perks... dive for free, discounts on gear, one free (non-DM) dive per week, etc. I had a couple of friends who were DMs on Salt Cay who received a salary but worked their behinds off for it. It was little money but they also ran a bed and breakfast and a little cafe and earned extra money doing that. It is a passion not a career choice. It is the same with owning a dive shop. Unless it is a shop in a big dive spot like the keys or bahamas, you don't make a lot of money at it. But you do meet nice people and get to swim with the fishes. We have had this debate before, it's the gear that makes the money. Not the classes, not the charters. THE GEAR. That's why they hate us shopping on line.
When I DM'ed it was for free. You do get to go on boat trips, get free air, get to work your butt off. In fact there is a saying "a DM's job is from dawn till done." That about sums it up! Hourly wage would be about $0.03/hour. I've now moved up to the big bucks as Instructor. I hope to double my pay this year to $0.06/hour. It's all fun, but keep your day job!
chrisch
Contributor
Mostly here its for free also. Maybe some free courses or help with IDC etc. If you got real money I'd be doing it right now !!!
Chris
Chris
Wow - just 200 years ago, slaves in the southern United States were asking this very question. And the wage scales, at least in Floriduh, were EXACTLY the same, except slaves got housing, food and clothing plus the work was a little easier.
Things sure have gotten better now that people are allowed to voluntarily work for absolutely nothing except tips, which are no really longer tips but mandatories since that's what separates the DM's next meal from Wendy's or the dumpster behind it.
Other areas of course may be different.
Right from the start, I was a multi-lingual instructor, licensed boat captain, accountant, and welder so all the staff money went to moi. Divemasters sure came in handy for the scut work though.
Things sure have gotten better now that people are allowed to voluntarily work for absolutely nothing except tips, which are no really longer tips but mandatories since that's what separates the DM's next meal from Wendy's or the dumpster behind it.
Other areas of course may be different.
Right from the start, I was a multi-lingual instructor, licensed boat captain, accountant, and welder so all the staff money went to moi. Divemasters sure came in handy for the scut work though.
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