One of the largest scuba training organizations in the world is called
the Professional Association of Dive Instructors (PADI for short). It has
a registry of some 100,360 professional dive instructors in 175 countries
and territories worldwide. It also certifies hundreds of thousands of recreational
divers each year.
Shaun Pipes is a marine biologist who also moonlights as a dive instructor.
His work as a marine biologist meant that diving was part of the job description.
Pipes earns about $20,000 per year as an instructor, but in the busy summer
months he can earn an extra $1,500 to $2,000 because of increased business
at the dive shop.
Pipes says instructors who live in coastal regions and make teaching and
working in a shop their primary pursuit can earn about $35,000 per year.
Salaries depend more on an instructor's proximity to water than their country
of residence. Scuba is international in all aspects: salary, training, certification
requirements and popularity.
Depending on the career path they choose, divers can make a lot of money.
However, divers working their way towards the instructor level can expect
to make very little working at a resort. But there are advantages.
"The industry is wide open for unique individuals with excellent people
skills who are willing to take the job seriously," says Nelson Moore, a head
training instructor. "The opportunities are there."
Job prospects for dive instructors are linked closely to the economy, Pipes
says. When times are good, people spend more money on recreation and there
is plenty of work. However, if the economy slumps, diving lessons are one
of the first things people cut out.
Earnings and employment information from the U.S. Department of Labor is
not available for this field at this time.