Commercial Divers Salary
Commercial Divers in Washington make a median of $161,800 a year, or about $77.79 an hour. The range runs from $122K at the entry level to $251K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $158,612 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,830/month, or 17.5% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of Washington. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $162K get you in Washington?
About commercial divers
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What this looks like in Washington
Washington sits well above the national pay line for commercial divers, local pay runs about 122% higher than the U.S. median of $73K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,830/month, 18.1% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Combined with manageable housing costs, Washington offers a genuinely strong financial position for commercial diverss at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level commercial divers (10th percentile) start around $122K. Mid-career wages sit at $162K. Top earners bring in $251K or more, a $129K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track commercial divers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a commercial diver afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
Yes — at the median salary of $162K, rent takes 18.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for commercial divers in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new commercial divers typically earn — is $122K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $7,337/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 25% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is commercial diver a high-paying job in Washington?
Local pay is 122% above the national median — $162K here vs. $73K nationally.
How does Washington compare to the national average for commercial divers?
Washington pays $162K median vs. the U.S. average of $73K — that’s +122%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $159K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do commercial divers make in Washington?
The median is $161,800 a year, that works out to about $78 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $122,290, and experienced commercial divers can clear $250,960. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $162K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $10,112/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 18.1% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a commercial divers salary go in Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median commercial divers salary is worth about $158,612 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.