Commercial Divers Salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Commercial Divers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC make a median of $75,030 a year, or about $36.07 an hour. The range runs from $61K at the entry level to $96K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97.94), that's roughly $76,608 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,713/month — about 34.7% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $75K get you in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk?
About commercial divers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Entry-level commercial divers (10th percentile) start around $61K. Mid-career wages sit at $75K.Top earners bring in $96K or more - a $35K spread from bottom to top.
Commercial Divers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $154K | +152% | 200 |
| Washington | $117K | +92% | 100 |
| Vermont | $99K | +61% | N/A |
| New Jersey | $95K | +55% | N/A |
| Hawaii | $95K | +55% | 40 |
| Wisconsin | $85K | +40% | 50 |
| Virginia | $79K | +29% | 120 |
| Indiana | $79K | +29% | 60 |
| Maine | $73K | +19% | 140 |
| Missouri | $61K | +0% | N/A |
| California | $61K | -0% | N/A |
| Connecticut | $58K | -5% | 160 |
| Texas | $56K | -8% | 250 |
| West Virginia | $56K | -9% | N/A |
| Florida | $53K | -14% | 570 |
Track commercial divers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do commercial divers make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median is $75,030 a year - that works out to about $36.07 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $61,180, and experienced commercial divers can clear $96,390. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $75K enough to live in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,781/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,713/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 35.8% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a commercial divers salary go in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk?
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk has a Regional Price Parity of 97.94 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median commercial divers salary is worth about $76,608 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do commercial divers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.