Commercial Divers
Work below surface of water, using scuba gear to inspect, repair, remove, or install equipment and structures. May use a variety of power and hand tools, such as drills, sledgehammers, torches, and welding equipment. May conduct tests or experiments, rig explosives, or photograph structures or marine life.
How AI Impacts Each Task
25 tasks analyzed
Take appropriate safety precautions, such as monitoring dive lengths and depths and registering with authorities before diving expeditions begin.
Check and maintain diving equipment, such as helmets, masks, air tanks, harnesses, or gauges.
Communicate with workers on the surface while underwater, using signal lines or telephones.
Descend into water with the aid of diver helpers, using scuba gear or diving suits.
Obtain information about diving tasks and environmental conditions.
Supervise or train other divers, including hobby divers.
Inspect the condition of underwater steel or wood structures.
Inspect and test docks, ships, buoyage systems, plant intakes or outflows, or underwater pipelines, cables, or sewers, using closed circuit television, still photography, and testing equipment.
Repair ships, bridge foundations, or other structures below the water line, using caulk, bolts, and hand tools.
Recover objects by placing rigging around sunken objects, hooking rigging to crane lines, and operating winches, derricks, or cranes to raise objects.
Operate underwater video, sonar, recording, or related equipment to investigate underwater structures or marine life.
Take test samples or photographs to assess the condition of vessels or structures.
Cut and weld steel, using underwater welding equipment, jigs, and supports.
Install, inspect, clean, or repair piping or valves.
Carry out non-destructive testing, such as tests for cracks on the legs of oil rigs at sea.
Install pilings or footings for piers or bridges.
Salvage wrecked ships or their cargo, using pneumatic power velocity and hydraulic tools and explosive charges, when necessary.
Perform offshore oil or gas exploration or extraction duties, such as conducting underwater surveys or repairing and maintaining drilling rigs or platforms.
Remove obstructions from strainers or marine railway or launching ways, using pneumatic or power hand tools.
Set or guide placement of pilings or sandbags to provide support for structures such as docks, bridges, cofferdams, or platforms.
Perform activities related to underwater search and rescue, salvage, recovery, or cleanup operations.
Drill holes in rock and rig explosives for underwater demolitions.
Remove rubbish or pollution from the sea.
Set up dive sites for recreational instruction.
Cultivate or harvest marine species or perform routine work on fish farms.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Take appropriate safety precautions, such as monitoring dive lengths and depths and registering with authorities before diving expeditions begin. | 87Estimated | 84.0% | 6% | |
| Check and maintain diving equipment, such as helmets, masks, air tanks, harnesses, or gauges. | 20Estimated | 41.0% | 6% | |
| Communicate with workers on the surface while underwater, using signal lines or telephones. | 20Estimated | 23.0% | 6% | |
| Descend into water with the aid of diver helpers, using scuba gear or diving suits. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 6% | |
| Obtain information about diving tasks and environmental conditions. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 6% | |
| Supervise or train other divers, including hobby divers. | 10Estimated | 19.0% | 5% | |
| Inspect the condition of underwater steel or wood structures. | 70Estimated | 55.0% | 5% | |
| Inspect and test docks, ships, buoyage systems, plant intakes or outflows, or underwater pipelines, cables, or sewers, using closed circuit television, still photography, and testing equipment. | 75Estimated | 57.0% | 5% | |
| Repair ships, bridge foundations, or other structures below the water line, using caulk, bolts, and hand tools. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 5% | |
| Recover objects by placing rigging around sunken objects, hooking rigging to crane lines, and operating winches, derricks, or cranes to raise objects. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 5% | |
| Operate underwater video, sonar, recording, or related equipment to investigate underwater structures or marine life. | 55.67Observed | 55.3% | 4% | |
| Take test samples or photographs to assess the condition of vessels or structures. | 70Estimated | 61.0% | 4% | |
| Cut and weld steel, using underwater welding equipment, jigs, and supports. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 4% | |
| Install, inspect, clean, or repair piping or valves. | 15Estimated | 15.0% | 4% | |
| Carry out non-destructive testing, such as tests for cracks on the legs of oil rigs at sea. | 70Estimated | 55.0% | 4% | |
| Install pilings or footings for piers or bridges. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 3% | |
| Salvage wrecked ships or their cargo, using pneumatic power velocity and hydraulic tools and explosive charges, when necessary. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 3% | |
| Perform offshore oil or gas exploration or extraction duties, such as conducting underwater surveys or repairing and maintaining drilling rigs or platforms. | 20Estimated | 17.0% | 3% | |
| Remove obstructions from strainers or marine railway or launching ways, using pneumatic or power hand tools. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 3% | |
| Set or guide placement of pilings or sandbags to provide support for structures such as docks, bridges, cofferdams, or platforms. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 3% | |
| Perform activities related to underwater search and rescue, salvage, recovery, or cleanup operations. | 20Estimated | 17.0% | 2% | |
| Drill holes in rock and rig explosives for underwater demolitions. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 2% | |
| Remove rubbish or pollution from the sea. | 60Estimated | 57.0% | 2% | |
| Set up dive sites for recreational instruction. | 30Estimated | 45.0% | 2% | |
| Cultivate or harvest marine species or perform routine work on fish farms. | 50Estimated | 53.0% | 2% |
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Equipment Maintenance is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Negotiation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Commercial Divers skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.
Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
by DataCamp
Estimated Impact
AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Google UX Design Professional Certificate
by Google
Estimated Impact
Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Leading People and Teams Specialization
by University of Michigan
Estimated Impact
We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.
Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Alternate Career Paths
See all transitionsAdvertising and Promotions Managers
31%Higher risk than 43% of other occupations
Boilermakers
16%Median salary: $73,340
Higher risk than 2% of other occupations
Chief Executives
26%Higher risk than 23% of other occupations
Computer and Information Systems Managers
31%Higher risk than 45% of other occupations
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay
28%Median salary: $100,940
Higher risk than 28% of other occupations
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers
22%Median salary: $92,560
Higher risk than 11% of other occupations
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
26%Median salary: $78,690
Higher risk than 21% of other occupations
General and Operations Managers
28%Higher risk than 29% of other occupations
Marketing Managers
30%Higher risk than 38% of other occupations
Municipal Firefighters
18%Median salary: $59,530
Higher risk than 3% of other occupations
Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters
18%Median salary: $62,970
Higher risk than 3% of other occupations
Plumbers
19%Median salary: $62,970
Higher risk than 5% of other occupations
Sales Managers
25%Higher risk than 20% of other occupations
Ship and Boat Captains
28%Median salary: $85,540
Higher risk than 28% of other occupations
Ship Engineers
28%Median salary: $101,320
Higher risk than 30% of other occupations
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
39%Median salary: $58,260
Higher risk than 78% of other occupations
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
Last scored March 14, 2026 · Based on BLS employment data and O*NET task analysis