Will AI replace commercial divers?AI replacement risk 21% and how the work is changing

United States Manufacturing & Repair Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay

$72,990

25th–75th pct. $54,810–$101,550

Top pay (est.)

$205,100

Top 10% $157,790

Pay in 5 years

$85,700est.

2031

Pay in 10 years

$100,600est.

$86,500–$116,800

Outlook score

70/100

★★★★☆ Good

AI replacement risk

21%

Low

Job growth (10 yr)

+4.8%

400 openings / yr

Will AI replace Commercial Divers? AI replacement risk

21%

Low

Ranked #140 safest from AI among all U.S. occupations

Very lowLowModerateHighVery high

How AI is changing this job

A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.

AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →

Skills, education and requirements for Commercial Divers

Key skills

Critical Thinking

3.8

Active Listening

3.6

Reading Comprehension

3.5

Operations Monitoring

3.5

Operation and Control

3.1

Speaking

3.1

Equipment Maintenance

3.1

Coordination

3.1

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Mechanical

5.8

Building and Construction

5.3

Engineering and Technology

4.9

Physics

4.6

Customer and Personal Service

4.5

Design

4.4

Public Safety and Security

4.3

Mathematics

4.3

What the work involves

Handling and Moving ObjectsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentControlling Machines and ProcessesUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsMaking Decisions and Solving Problems

Important abilities

Near VisionOral ExpressionOral ComprehensionExtent FlexibilityArm-Hand SteadinessInductive Reasoning

Training before entry

6–12 months

33%

None / short demo

16%

2–4 years

12%

3–6 months

12%

Up to 1 month

11%

1–3 months

4–10 years

Related work experience

6–12 months

21%

None

19%

2–4 years

15%

1–2 years

4–6 years

6–8 years

1–3 months

Up to 1 month

3–6 months

Job Zone 3 — medium preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★☆☆☆ Fairly easy (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Related occupations

	Occupation	Pay	Outlook	AI risk
1	Maintenance and Repair Workers, General Perform work involving the skills of two or more maintenance or craft occupations to keep machines, mechanical equipment, or the structure of a building in repair.	$49,590	60/100	26%
2	Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles.	$50,620	61/100	27%
3	First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of production and operating workers, such as inspectors, precision workers, machine setters and operators, assemblers, fabricators, and plant and system operators.	$74,450	50/100	47%
4	First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of mechanics, installers, and repairers.	$79,860	58/100	38%
5	Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers Inspect, test, sort, sample, or weigh nonagricultural raw materials or processed, machined, fabricated, or assembled parts or products for defects, wear, and deviations from specifications.	$48,570	45/100	55%
6	Industrial Machinery Mechanics Repair, install, adjust, or maintain industrial production and processing machinery or refinery and pipeline distribution systems.	$64,520	74/100	26%

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data

Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.