So What's a Realistic Scuba Diving Instructor Salary? Get paid as a scuba instructor

[@scottwagner2407]

I really enjoy the direct honest dialogue you have provided on diving.

[@AzulUnlimited]

Thank you! We try not to sugar coat anything. Working as a diver isn't for everyone, but if it suits your personality and goals, it can be an amazing life!

[@aliciazinn6211]

I can hear you guys just fine, the breeze and waves are a nice addition. 🌊🌬

[@AzulUnlimited]

Hahah thanks tho, that was our first video, so we learned the lesson.

[@palashowman]

Very helpful guys! Good luck changing the industry. We need more people like you!!

[@AzulUnlimited]

You'll be in a video soon!

[@SvenVoelk]

thx for the video. i worked full time as a instructor for good 20 years. i would still, but for health reasons i dropped out and just teach freelance and limited time at this point. i think you kinda touched many of the common scenarios, what's a good thing. from my own experience, i made as little as $500 in off season as a new instructor up to about $5000 plus benefits like house, car, insurance etc. in high season as MI and operations mgr. there is a wide span depending on location, your experience and position in the company. it is basically impossible to cover all the options based on location, your job, benefits offered that are worth more or less money in top of cash paid. i consider myself also mostly very lucky during my full-time work phase. i most always worked for good companies/ owners. that's not necessarily normal. one of my principals was from early on that i would not teach maxed out classes. not because i had doubts that i can manage them, but my main goal always was to turn out the greatest possible divers i could. i just don't see that happen in maxed out scuba classes, if for nothing else than time restraints and the time you can spend with every student to bring them from good to excellent. it cost me a couple of potential jobs, it kept me happy and usually my students as well. mass is unfortunately never class. takes a little longer to get your min. certs together to advance along in the common instructor systems. it keeps you also happy, your students happy and seriously, i believe it makes you over time a better instructor. i had a very short (and unpleasant) experience with Dresseldivers (big chain, all 5* resorts) - it was the scuba version of a puppy mill! it should be prohibited ;). there are others, don't get fixed on them. usually as an instructor (even mgr) you don't joining the "big earners" league (even where it sounds i made a lot of money - that was in countries with high cost of living). since you seem to have made a decision for a lifestyle and job you love (with all the downsides), don't let yourself getting pressured into a 'corporate scuba mill high stress job for small money!!!' - that was what you tried to get away from in the first place. Always research your potential next employer thoroughly! there are as many dive store operators out there trying to take advantage of you as there are honest caring ones. always research the location (especially if it is a foreign country - cost of living etc). scale base pay, commissions, added benefits (housing, insurance and instructor fees paid, free continuing education - CD on staff? that will pay off for you in the long run [especially if you are a fairly new dive pro]. anyway, there are a million things to consider! just this post, only touching the surface of things, should show you that. there could poss. an endless series of episodes about getting paid in diving be made...

[@AzulUnlimited]

Hello. Thanks a lot for this comment, is gonna help a lot of people, as you said is difficult to cover more than the basic in one video, and the combinations, possibilities are endless regarding locations, add on, benefits, seasons etc. I'm not gonna say much about Dressel Divers, only one thing, I will not count them as a Diving company because they are fully focused on making money, selling, selling, selling and quality... What's that? I know them very well too, I use to get a lot of Divemaster or Instructors candidates on my IDCs that were kicked out of their internship programs on the last month because they didn't achieve the selling targets. I'm glad to know that your philosophy cost you a couple of jobs, I was fired in Thailand because I didn't wanted to take 6 DSDs on my own. On my IDCs I always say the same, "I hope all of you get fired at least a couple of times on your diving carrier because you say NO". Mixing courses is a big NO, for all the reasons you mentioned above. Thanks again for the comment!

[@SvenVoelk]

@@AzulUnlimited thx, it's nice to hear from a CD about it and get some re-enforcement of values.

[@alanraju6849]

♥️

[@ABHISHEK-ug7nk]

5000 a month?

[@aaatwo791]

Good information. Needs work on audio.

[@AzulUnlimited]

heh yeah, we know. Beginners problems ☺️ It will be better next time!!! Thanks for watching.

[@toriless]

@@AzulUnlimited Even a foam wind screen can help, also use a more directional microphone.

[@AzulUnlimited]

@@toriless Yeah, this was our first video 3 years ago. We've improved 😅

[@diveinstructor1298]

Hi guys, very nice video and descriptive of the industry. It is very true what you say about the cost of living and how even though those number sound low to someone from the US, Europe or elsewhere. To ad to your video, salaries as a scuba dive instructor in Australia, where I am, are somewhere between AUD$180 to AUD$240 per day and you expect to work 5 days a week and maybe 3 to 4 during low seasons. Again, proves your comment about the wages being relative to the cost of living in the country you are located. Keep it up, great work. Love to see more.

[@AzulUnlimited]

Cool! Thanks for that information. None of us have worked in Australia so we didn't think to add it in. Good to know for future students for sure. Hopefully, we'll get to go diving there someday soon!

[@silviocabrera1062]

Gracias por compartir sus experiencias

[@AzulUnlimited]

Thank you for watching!

[@texastreeman]

The ocean wave sound is beautiful but I really have a difficult time hearing. I’m highly interested in what you guys have to say. Super informative! I need more dives. Thumbs up!!👍

[@AzulUnlimited]

jiijii sorry about that!! was our first video 2 years ago and maybe we update this video soon because also the situation has change since then.

[@FALCON-nb8nq]

Thanks very much guys for this video. It is an eye opener. It made me wonder if I should go that way even part time. I think I will stick to just being a client of yours.

[@AzulUnlimited]

haha, it's not for everyone! However, part-time can be a fun way to supplement your 'normal' job income in your home country if you have diving nearby. That's what Sarah did in California while she was still working as a winemaker. Either way, we'd be happy to take you fun diving any day, just let us know when you're coming to Indonesia :)

[@RioCrypto55]

Awesome information! In the position for a change and this has always been an interest for me. You nudged me a few steps closer 😎

[@AzulUnlimited]

That's great! If you have any questions about the training or if you're interested in doing your IDC in Komodo, please feel free to email us. [e-mail]. We are happy to help you out in any way we can. Good luck!

[@lucianana88]

So true!! A lot of useful infos and tips, especially the part about social life on a private island..unfortunately!! Good job guys, keep up like this. Waiting for the next one!

[@AzulUnlimited]

Thanks Lucia! haha yeah, very unfortunate about the private island, but some people love that lifestyle so more power to them! See you for the next video :)

[@shackleton1962]

Thanks Sara, gracias Aitor, he descubierto vuestro canal por casualidad y me encanta , suscrito porsupuesto.

[@AzulUnlimited]

Hola! Gracias por seguirnos, me alegro que te guste el canal! algunos videos tienen subtítulos en español y estamos trabajando para ponerle a la mayoría de ellos, asi mas buzos pueden seguirnos. Aqui estamos para cualquier duda que tengas sobre buceo, un saludo! Aitor.

[@nujiyuji]

Thanks for good tips ! I'm considering to go pro someday around next year and your video def help to give a concept what will it be like. :) Happy bubbles

[@AzulUnlimited]

Awesome! Glad to hear you're considering it! Let us know if you have any questions or if you are interested in our program here in Komodo. You can email us at [e-mail]

[@stephens2r338]

Having worked in the business for many years it's a life of survival. You earn enough to party and have some fun but nothing more. Ask any instructor if they own a house or car or where they see themselves in 5 years.... Almost all instructors are in their 20s with no commitments taking a year off or in their late 40s divorced having a midlife crisis and feeling lost

[@AzulUnlimited]

You have sort of proven another point not mentioned in the video. Of course, if you spend your earnings on the party scene, you don't have any money to put towards your future... A lot of people get into the party life and that's fine, but those people also aren't the ones that we are interested in teaching. Not everyone falls into those two categories you are talking about.

[@stephens2r338]

@@AzulUnlimited Very true, you want dedicated and committed people. However the reality is that if you are dedicated then your committing yourself to a life on a low income, living in the dive shops apartment and borrowing the dive truck in the evenings to get around. More importantly your giving up the opertunity for a university education and a higher standard of living and in the future choosing happily to dive when and where you want to.. When you hit your early 30s maybe married with kids you will start to wonder where the time went and you now want a future. So the only option will be to start your own shop. But you dont have any business education and no finance history or capital to get a loan. So you give up diving in the realisation you need a stable environment to put food on the table and a roof over your familys heads and then there's schooling too. How many married couples with kids have you seen working as instructors. None. There all in their 20s taking a year off, OW to DM in two months and paying it off over the next six or their in their late 40s, divorced and the kids have left home. Its sounds depressing but it's the reality.

[@AzulUnlimited]

@@stephens2r338 Wow, that was a lot. I'm sorry you had that experience (or know people who have had that experience). I understand that this can definitely happen in the industry, especially if people have unrealistic expectations and do not make an educated decision about pursuing this line of work. All of us here at Azul have University or advanced degrees so we never advise people to not follow getting a formal education. I disagree with you about the fact that you can't have a stable environment, put food on the table and save to travel by working as an instructor, but I'm not here to convince you to change your opinion 👌🏻 Thanks 👋🏻

[@jesusmarsella6111]

Excelente información. gracias por hacer este video informativo. Saludos desde Venezuela.

[@AzulUnlimited]

Saludos a ti desde Indonesia!! Un fuerte abrazo.

[@buslu]

How is it that the audio is crystal clear when Sara speaks, but the noise goes off and the sound is very low when Aitor speaks? Maybe use two different microphones next time. You seem to have very different voice levels. Interesting to take your account. I have been diving for 8 years with a lot of twinsets, side mount and different levels of technical diving and I would love to have a long time off where I can dive and maintain some of the cost if possible. I agree, split fins are a nightmare and I like your Steve Bogart/Martin simplistic side mount videos!

[@AzulUnlimited]

It's very simple, I'm loud 😂 Now we have different mics so hopefully the sound will be better! Thanks for watching the sidemount videos!

[@peterbalzer8795]

Thank you for the helpful information. It seemed like you didn't sugar-coat this topic.

[@AzulUnlimited]

Well maybe is time to do a new video because after pandemic.... things will change and is gonna be even more difficult to find a place with good working conditions... Thanks for watching btw!!

[@Mimi_metalcat]

So how many dives should you have after getting certified on advance open water skills before you get certified as rescue diver? I've seen many instructors (Edd Sorenson, Brian Kakuk, Mike Young) suggest to get this certification some time after the aow, to advance in you're progretion in scuba and to be self reliant.

[@AzulUnlimited]

This is really a personal decision. I've seen people go through the course and do great with only 20-30 dives and I've seen people with 100+ dives really struggle with it. Generally, I think it's better to have more experience in the water and a better understanding of your equipment/the environment, but that's going to translate into different numbers of hours in the water for different people. I'm not a fan of the 0-hero program (that's what I did back in the day) so I would agree with those other instructors that having a space of just fun diving between aow and rescue is best.

[@Mimi_metalcat]

@@AzulUnlimited thank you for replying I value the advice and love the great attitude & content.

[@dreamersdiveacademytimorle8869]

Hey guys! love the video. Great to see you've done so well on this platfrom. Not a lot of great content out there when it comes to diving, or at least hard to find i guess. Hopefylly our paths will cross in this small world of dive professionals! Saludos desde Timor Leste

[@AzulUnlimited]

Much appreciated! It would be great to cross paths. Hope you are doing well through the pandemic.

[@zero-jee]

I'm 23 pursuing my bachelors degree in Computer Science at community college but am hating every day of it. My heart says to risk it all, save some money and sign up for some scuba courses. What do you guys think?

[@AzulUnlimited]

Hey! Honestly, I would continue taking courses and finding things that interest you in school while on the side taking the recreational scuba courses to see if it's something you would even like. You are young so you have lots of time to explore the different options available. For us, it has been helpful to have a solid schooling background (helped us develop different skills as professionals in other fields).

[@Jacoeditz]

Hello I love your Videos by the way they are so helpful.

[@AzulUnlimited]

Glad to be of service! Thanks for watching

[@lauraramostavio576]

Hola! He visto un par de vídeos vuestros y son muy útiles! Muchas gracias! Tenía una pregunta, soy instructora PADI desde hace unos 6 meses, trabajo para una escuela, pero una amiga me pidió hacerle un curso individualmente y no sé cómo acceder a los códigos para posteriormente enviarlos a mis hipotéticos alumnos. Nos sé si tenéis algún tutorial por ahí que lo explique, he buscado y rebuscado y no encuentro nada. Muchísimas gracias de nuevo!

[@AzulUnlimited]

Si compras tu los materiales como instructora, deberías tener el código en tu perfil de padi pro y puedes asignar los materiales a tu alumna. Si no encuentras la solución, puedes contactar a padi directo y pedirles que te ayuden. Por eso pagamos las tasas de PADI 😅

[@AzulUnlimited]

Gracias por ver los videos! 🤙😁🙏

[@jonnieinbangkok]

Very interesting and informative 👍

[@AzulUnlimited]

Thanks for watching

[@stevesteel6066]

Great information, glad that you are both honest! I’m an inexperienced diver that has open water certification in a one-on-one environment with one of the most experienced divers in the world. I have what I believe to be the best scuba rigs available, with redundancy. I would love to dive with your girlfriend, although she would have to keep an eye on me, as I only have 2 dives that included a halocline.

[@AzulUnlimited]

I hope you have more than 2 dives for that open water certification! keep diving and getting experience.

[@mateuszdob8462]

Very good job guys ! :D

[@AzulUnlimited]

Thank you very much!!!

[@NauticalWizard]

I think it's great having a rescue diver with 25 dives or less, because now as they build up their dive log they have a great, better than most, foundation to build off of. Anyways, loved the video thanks for the info 👍

[@AzulUnlimited]

Good point!! thanks for your comment tho.

[@jbmjp103]

For the female, are you from the US? How do you work overseas? Visas? How long have you been doing this?

[@AzulUnlimited]

Hey! Yes, I'm from California and I've worked overseas off and on for many years. The best way to do it is to get a work visa. I usually pay a local agent to help with the paperwork and typically these visas last for 1 year. It's not too difficult, you just need to get a job with a company that will help with the process. Hope that helps you! - Sarah

[@tak0yak1]

I didn't see any mention of the position of Cruise Director on liveaboards. This professional level takes much longer to attain; involves being multi-lingual, experience with hospitality, HR, budgeting, F&B... and of course all diving and dive equipment skills as well. But a base salary on a non-backpacker-level boat is about $3,000/month anywhere in the world + tips + return flights ++. Premier boats can be up to $5,000/month base. Superyachts can offer even more financial reward and potential for adventure... and some serious downsides as well.

[@AzulUnlimited]

Thank you for that information! yes, cruise director is a very specialized part of the industry. Not for everyone, but definitely has its benefits!

[@tak0yak1]

Azul Unlimited not for everyone, but I should mention that it is GREAT for diving couples. It’s easy to negotiate a combined salary of 5k/month. But if you are a beach-lifestyler, reggae enthusiast, allergic to 15 hour work day type of person... you can’t do it well. It’s hard as hell, and the most fun I’ve ever had. Would have been easier if I wasn’t solo during those 15 years... but it wouldn’t have been as footloose and fancy free either.

[@nightleonardo]

i am interested in doing the divemaster course, just recently finish my rescue diving course but i only have like 15 logs... yeah. 15. i am looking for doing the divemaster course in a place where i can you know pay for the course and perhaps do an internship later. where do you suggest the best place to do it around Asia? do people work as dive instructors by seasons? i mean like alternate it with another job?

[@AzulUnlimited]

Hey! Yes, 15.. You'll definitely need some more dives, minimum of 40 to start the divemaster course. For that kind of course/internship option, you'll have to look into a place that has less restrictions on immigration. During the normal course, you will get experience working with clients so it's up to you to find the right program. You may be able to find something like that in Thailand, the philippines or cambodia, but I don't have any shop recommendations. People definitely work as instructors seasonally. I know a lot of people who also just do it as a part time job along with their normal career. There are lots of options for getting your love of scuba diving into your life! If you have any other questions, feel free to email us at [e-mail]

[@wallybrown9509]

Leocolo, I would concentrate on racking up many many more dives. Experience is key.

[@HI-tn1hn]

También me gustaría saber hasta qué edad se puede trabajar como instructor o si hay otras opciones de empleo aunque no sea instructor, dentro del buceo.

[@AzulUnlimited]

Hola nuevamente jejej. Dentro del buceo hay muchas opciones, he tenido alumnos sacando su curso de Instructor a la edad de 60 años una vez se han retirado de su trabajo, asi que no hay edad para enseñar buceo! Lo que si es cierto es que personas que llevan muchos años dedicándose a tiempo completo, en algún momento van cambiando su trabajo para estar menos tiempo en el agua y tener otra responsabilidades, como Manager del centro de buceo, mantenimiento de equipos, organizar viajes de buceo y acompañar a los grupos etc.... Hay bastantes opciones a parte de enseñar buceo.

[@HI-tn1hn]

@@AzulUnlimited Bueno entonces todavía tengo la posibilidad de hacerlo tengo 37 😀 y pensé que solo lo podría llevar a cabo como hobby. Me están animando bastante porque me gustaría que algún día mi oficina sea el mar 😍. Me gusta viajar y los idiomas creo que sería mi trabajo perfecto excepto por los tiburones.🤭

[@anatolerouarch2443]

Hi guys !! Thanks a lot for this very helpful and structured video. Any insight for the salary in developed countries where cost of living might be higher and the sea further away ??

[@AzulUnlimited]

In that case, we usually recommend teaching scuba as a kind of side job. Something that will keep you in the water and pay for your own scuba adventures, but not something that you rely on for your entire livelihood. However, you could work towards building up a following and create a business of taking people on dive trips around the world. Just a tought!

[@Aaron-di6rn]

Excelente video, suscrito! Soy de México, hablaron sobre un centro de buceo aquí, estoy buscando información acerca de cual era el salario que daban a sus instructores y guías en México para darme una idea aproximada de como es el contexto salarial aquí en México, gracias! Saludos!

[@AzulUnlimited]

Hola! Pues mira el salario variaba bastante dependiendo de las comisiones y cursos que se dieran cada mes, pero sacando una media de todo el año, aproximadamente 1200 US$ de media.

[@jighen105]

hi and greetings from Italy! Why PADI didn't avoid direct continuous education? Ok, money for sure, but it's also a safety risk...what do you think about? I'm finishing my DM...I'm planning to work with you once ;-)

[@AzulUnlimited]

Hi there!! Well, about the continuous education, we always recommend to keep diving between courses and we don't promote at all linking courses unless they have a real benefit for the diver like Open Water Course and Peak Performance buoyancy, Advanced Open Water + Nitrox specialty etc. The thing about PADI is that the don't have any rule about direct continue education, they leave it up to us "the professionals" to choose what courses teach base on the divers profile and abilities. We believe that Dive operators should have internal standards that apply to the local environment. And about working with us jijijii well see you hopefully on the near future here in Komodo to chat about it!!

[@Dreadlock1227]

Do many people work as five instructors just part of the year? I’m a carpenter in Canada, and I’m getting sick of framing houses in -40 degree winters haha. I’m not really looking to make a complete career change, but I have been considering trying to become a dive instructor and go do that for a few months during the winter. In your guys opinion, do you think this is a realistic goal?

[@AzulUnlimited]

That is totally a great plan. Loads of people do it seasonally. You'll have to build your network to get consistent work but that's a great option for getting out of the winter and making some money during peak vacation season in the tropics. Send me an email if you'd like to hear more about our instructor development courses! [e-mail]

[@HI-tn1hn]

Hola, me gustaría saber si las inmersiones son muy caras o el costo aproximado de cada una cuando alguien está tomando un curso por ejemplo open water y en cuánto tiempo creen que se puedan obtener las 40 inmersiones que piden para DM. Saludos desde México 😉

[@AzulUnlimited]

Hola! Una vez estas tomando tu curso de Open, tienes las inmersiones del curso incluidas, minimo son 4 pero en algunos sitios ofrecen 5 o 6 como parte del curso. Despise de esto, la gente va acumulando algunas inmersiones más a la vez que progresan en su formación hacia el DM, 5 buceos más para el curso de Avanzado, quizás un par de ellas con el curso de Nitrox, otras 2 o 3 para el rescue.... si haces todo con la misma escuela, las inmersiones de fun dive hasta llegar a las 40 suelen salir más económicas, o tambien puedes buscar sitios un poco apartados de las zonas turísticas, buceo desde orilla o cenotes (en la parte de Mérida mas económico) así la operación de buceo no es tan costosa para la operadora y los precios son mas bajos que bucear en Cozumel por ejemplo. Salir de las zonas turisticases la mejor opción para encontrar mejores precios y acumular buceos, a un ritmo de 2 o 3 buceos al dia, en unas 3 semanas/1 mes, puedes tener los 40 buceos sin problemas. Saludos!!

[@HI-tn1hn]

@@AzulUnlimited Muchas gracias!!!😉🙂

[@crashlvmc]

Great breakdown. I will say as a DM and AI that i have never actually been paid. I have gotten free accessory gear, free air, free dives, and good discounts from my associated shop on diving equipment. But then as the old joke goes, "what do you call a single divemaster.... homeless".

[@AzulUnlimited]

Hhehe I thin most of us been there! Divemaster life is not easy at all, and find a place where you actually get paid as a DM pffff complicated. For sure not on tourist destinations like Asia.

[@SvenVoelk]

as a DM / AI you have very little chances in most places to really get paid. as i mentioned somewhere, at a good dive center you may be part of the tip-sharing. everything you got so far is common with fair dive operators, but still not even the normal situation. unfortunately, as far as i am concerned. even freelance DM's can be incredible helpful at daily operations and even if not paid a salary - they always should get recognition based on their involvement - from free air (should be normal), free dives (should be normal), at least small gear accessories (should be normal) up to getting gear at shop buying price. i always valued local DM's we trained as valuable help. they can make your day sometimes, when the staff is not showing up - but your freelance DM's do on short notice to 'save your ass'. a valuable 'force' for any dive operation - never to be treated badly or ignore.

[@YouTube_user3333]

The audio is terrible. While wave and breeze sounds are nice, it makes your voices hard to hear. Apart from that the information is great.

[@AzulUnlimited]

Sorry about that! Was our very first video but we are doing much better now!! Glad the info was useful.

[@izelfaber8900]

Hi I’m currently in Thailand. Any recommendations on dive centers?

[@AzulUnlimited]

Very nice! I'm only familiar with Koh Tao and if you go there, you'll have an abundance of courses and students to teach. Some of the smaller, less touristy places will have a more laid back schedule and you won't have as many 'in water' days.

[@deecee3573]

what about later in life,do you build a pension fund ,or do you just become poor and destitute?,see i always here how great it is but i never see long term thinking

[@AzulUnlimited]

You definitely have to be smart and make your own pension plan. This is why it's also a good idea to work up the ladder (to staff instructor, course director or working directly for PADI or another organization). Some people save for their future just by working as a normal instructor in some of the popular places (like Koh tao) for a long time and being a senior instructor, but it's really up to your own discipline for sure.

[@pacificcoast101]

What's the difference between a scuba instructor and a pizza? A pizza can feed a family of four. :)

[@AzulUnlimited]

It's a good thing I want nothing to do with having kids 😂

[@jamesbair2401]

What about work visas?

[@AzulUnlimited]

If the company is a proper one, they pay for your visa and work with their lawyers to get you set up. If you're freelancing, this can be very complicated depending on the country you are in. Best to do your research and get it sorted before arriving since a lot of places will require you to finalize visa paperwork outside of the country.

[@bullsharkreef]

Thank you for this. I always knew that it wasn't a decent paying job, but I could not imagine the pay was that low, it's below what the welfare pays in this country and you don't have to work to get that. Heck, it wouldn't even cover basic health insurance, which means you probably don't have any. Guess it's only worth doing if somebody has the goal, drive and means to eventually either open or buy a dive center. As to the cost of living in poorer countries, sure the most basic of basic necessities cost less, but everything else, like cars, scuba equipment, plane ticket, gas etc cost the same as in developed countries.

[@AzulUnlimited]

Yep! Something that people, friends and family doesn't understand is that if you work in a place like Asia, yes you save money every month but if once a year you go back "Home" like USA or Europe, you will expend the savings of one year or more in one month. As long as you don't move around the world too much is worthy, with the salary you get, is enough to rent a place to live, go out to restaurants often, travel locally, get a massage once in a while etc. A lot of things needs to change in diving to get paid accordantly to the responsibility of the job, starting for realistic diving prices for the divers, if the dive shop price is super low, they can't make profit to pay well the staff (plus maintenance of compressor, equipment, boat, SAFETY), is as simple as that. Thanks for your comment tho.

[@toriless]

Even school teachers start at 60 grand and only work 9 months.

[@arunakumaripolisetty7628]

I want to start my career as a scuba diving instructor so what are the tips that helps in my career and how much time will it take to become a professional

[@AzulUnlimited]

It depends on where you are in your diving career. Are you already certified? If so, what certification level are you and how many dives do you have? Feel free to email us at [e-mail] if you want to hear more about our Instructor Development Courses.

[@димаемец-ъ7з]

You’re an amazing 😉

[@AzulUnlimited]

YOU'RE amazing!

[@TheSmileyTek]

Sounds like a fun job, but that salary, phew. Seems pretty low. But, maybe through sales and other commissions, it could be ok.

[@AzulUnlimited]

Yeah it can be brutal but there are ways to make it work 🤙

[@paihpais]

Thank you for making the video but find a place where theres no wind

[@AzulUnlimited]

haha yeah, we know. It was our first video so forgive us for the bad sound 😂 Thanks for watching!

[@paihpais]

@@AzulUnlimited already subscribe to you guys, hope your making more videos on divemaster and instructor

[@kurtsteiner8384]

If you are a good diver and wish to work in the diving industry. Why not go commercial or Navy diving. They are treated better and better paid that tourist divers and instructors. All you need is an open water or advanced certification to start. And can work world wide and not just in scuba diving but hard had surface demand diving also.

[@AzulUnlimited]

That could be a great option for those that like also work on cleaning, welding or fixing/repairing but so far the most motivated and successful Instructors I know are on diving because they like to teach, the underwater world is the classroom the choose but the motivation is teaching new people to become divers. I was even looking on that option to become commercial diver a few years back and is a very interesting area of diving!

[@kurtsteiner8384]

@@AzulUnlimited Yes some of my shipmates eventuality went commercial after the Navy. Worked in middle East and made a good living at it. Yes welling and maintenance came into it so did saturation diving from bells. I was a marine engineer but also did mine clearance diving. But now just do scuba to keep my hand in. Trained initially with UK Royal Navy in mine clearance diving. But now just do bsac and PADI. Not too impressed with PADI really, it being a money making exercise. But some of the instructors I have met were good.

[@AzulUnlimited]

@@kurtsteiner8384 That´s awesome, we are working on a video about what to do as a scuba instructor with the actual situation, how to survive, and comercial diving is one of the topics to be included, to do easy jobs like cleaning boats or shallow water work on marinas etc, the training is not that long and expensive (no saturation dives) and could be an option for some people.

[@kurtsteiner8384]

@@AzulUnlimited Yes but cleaning boats and things is not real diving. Most commercial divers work with the construction industry. Inspecting pipelines, welding and fitting well heads and underwater welding and undertaking salvage work. The others undertake TV work like wild life documentaries but guess this is competitive to get into. The other research and dive historical wrecks for documentaries. You would need an HSE commercial diver certification to do this $4000 at last count I have heard. They also use Rob and midget submarines for some work. If you read the book diver by Tony groom. It may show some light on navyt and commercial diving even sat diving. And yes our paths have crossed in the Navy doing mine clearance diving. Some died in service some made a good living. Others not but we're good times mostly great mates work hard play hard they say. Hope it helps

[@toriless]

Those are just industrial jobs. The have limited satisfaction and no enjoyment. You might as well just be a mechanic.

[@unstoppablemotivation44]

I gottgood knowledge

[@AzulUnlimited]

The best of knowledge

[@ChrisShaferKTM]

Focus on selling fins to replace split fins :)

[@AzulUnlimited]

hahaha they should be erase from the planet!

[@toriless]

@@AzulUnlimited yeah, but they are still pushed, the Mares Quattro fins inherented, as such, are not for everybody either but you can get a lot of propulsion from them.

[@robertwingerter7611]

Do those numbers include tax?..

[@AzulUnlimited]

This is average takeaway after taxes (assuming you're paying them 😉) for entry-level scuba instructors

[@toriless]

Ironically, the ad was about making 6 million dollars quickly.

[@AzulUnlimited]

baaaahahahahahahahaha definitely not while working as a scuba instructor hahaha. I have no control over what ads play, but that's awesome.

[@DarthGnomian]

I love celery... just needs to put some peanut butter on its :)

[@MikeKillian]

Got it, so it’s a broke man’s job. Nobody can live on $900 a month in USA lol, that’s below poorer than poor. Even $2k a month is poverty level. And the industry incentivizes instructors to sell more certs to inexperienced divers so they can get more commission

[@AzulUnlimited]

It is unfortunately. I think it's possible to do in the US if you work for a shop where you're getting an hourly wage while in the shop as well as commissions. Or, it might be possible if you just cut your expenses and teach while living in a van. I'll let you know how it goes 🤣

[@Robertxcapricorn]

Concluding the money is not worth the risk if some accident will happend… Only if you are an owner of a diving club is good for a wallet

[@AzulUnlimited]

As long s you have a good Insurance, is worthy but also depending on the country you work, like in US, the professional insurance with DAN is around 800$ but in Europe, the same insurance is 300$. But I agree that the risk is very high if you add on top of that what usually happens on this industry. Instructors working abroad, with no work permit, in countries where the law is pretty unpredictable ( Thailand, Indonesia, Mexico etc.) and also in many of those countries, a professional diving insurance is not a requirement by law, so many instructors just don't have it to save some $ (because the salary is low, another problem).

[@toriless]

@@AzulUnlimited That is all because of the lousy US private medical system that does not corrupt European medicine.

[@sidwilsonfan777]

That sucks, dive centers making good money for almost free labor, that’s modern slavery, and that need to change.

[@AzulUnlimited]

definitely needs to change. that's always been our priority as a shop

[@MonuYadav-ne2bs]

I am too tired to say that I have to do it.

[@AzulUnlimited]

Have to do what?

[@antony3678]

OMG, that is slavery and obviously in places such as Thailand, etc.You're better off on welfare! If you're trying to support a family it's crap money. At least there is a decent industry award salary in Australia.

[@AzulUnlimited]

Honestly, in a lot of these places, we end up saving more money per month than back in the states or Europe where the cost of living is exponentially higher and wages don't even get close to matching. It just depends on what kind of lifestyle you want and if you want to do the work to advance in your career in order to make higher wages by becoming an instructor trainer or moving up into the higher ranks of PADI, for example. There are plenty of people who support families on wages from the scuba industry 👌🏻

[@loreseeker3783]

1000$ is pretty good in countries where the average income is 300$. Where a meal costs 3-4$. Most of the top diving countries don't even know what welfare is.

[@loreseeker3783]

@Non Ducor Duco In Europe, earning double the salary where half up to 70% gets taken in direct and indirect taxes, you forgot to mention ;)

[@toriless]

NOBODY who is a dive instructor is even thinking about having a family. It is not that kind of a life. If you want that you need to OWN a SCUBA business not work for one.

[@hutriks6633]

0.44

[@AzulUnlimited]

Cómo están los hijos del cielo?

[@marineboyocean]

A comfortable living haha haha 🤣 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@gustavoblanco2452]

50 0r 60 box for 4 days teaching ow,is nothing,compared with the high responsability you have,

[@AzulUnlimited]

It's definitely a labor of love.

[@Scubad1975]

nice info but barely hearable do inside next time no background noise

[@AzulUnlimited]

totally! now we have an office so we won't have that problem anymore. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻

[@Scubad1975]

@@AzulUnlimited looking forward to your new vids and adventures

[@AzulUnlimited]

@@Scubad1975 thank you for subscribing!

[@marineboyocean]

Buy a decent microphone the wind noise is terrible 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@AzulUnlimited]

Done...

[@oneoceanonelove9035]

hahaaa guys , 90% descent advice for all the baby instructors! but, lets be honest- you never worked in maldives or any of high range properties :-)

[@AzulUnlimited]

Actually, Aitor did for about a year, but we have yet to meet anyone who has had a positive experience in the Maldives so we don't generally recommend it regardless of how much money you can make. If you did have a good experience, we'd love to hear about it!

[@oneoceanonelove9035]

@@AzulUnlimited In fact, YES. I LOOVE Maldives, you can call me the dinosaur of those islands, my first working touch down in Maldives was back in 2010, now its ON and OFF. The reports and conditions , of course are different. and if depends on your experience and capability of working with different markets, young people may take it as "paradise jails" or "total ban on their freedom" - well, Thailand and Most of the SE Asia has loots of freedom to offer. But , as in most of other hospitality industries positions, higher rank of the property you work in - certain level of service must be followed. Long story short : in high ranks resort instructors get around 2500+ in high season and 1800 average, plus TIPS. More professional you are, smarter to work on wit your ego but focusing on providing the professional service - you may expect tips same size of the salary. Working conditions - excellent, instructors teach and interact with the guests, the boat crew team takes care of the equipment. Accommodation and food is taking care of. You meet amazing people you would NEVER meet in regular life. and of course - DIVING.

[@AzulUnlimited]

@@oneoceanonelove9035 Love that. Yeah, we've mostly heard about that first bit (lack of freedom) being the problem. Also, the experience of feeling like the salary to quality of life ratio was not worth it. Of course there are going to be huge differences in opinions though! Thank you for the detailed explanation. Very helpful!

[@CrazyDivers]

I know that is depends of the country you work in but do the salaries include diving insurance? Or is it something that you have to pay for yourself? Also, good job on your first video, welcome to KZbin !

[@AzulUnlimited]

Thank you! In our experience, we've always had to pay for our own insurance. You can get good deals with DAN and they can even cover your students. We personally will have a shop deal so that all of our student divers can be covered

[@toriless]

@@AzulUnlimited Insurance is the main reason you almost never see anything but places like Supercuts. The insurance eats up any salary. Shops cover that if you are just an employee. I have seen shops that rent out spaces but that is extremely rare. Anyhow. ...

[@ateammofo9676]

10 to 20 grand a year r u serious how the fuck do u live off that

[@AzulUnlimited]

Yeah, that's why people choose locations where lots of courses are taught or they move up in responsibilities. It's not an easy job but if the perks are worth it for you, it's an incredible experience

[@ateammofo9676]

@@AzulUnlimited I had a junior PADI certification how hard would it be to get recertification

[@AzulUnlimited]

@@ateammofo9676 You could take the PADI ReActivate (one day) which would refresh your skills, update your certification to the regular Open Water level, and you would get a new card. If it has been a really long time and you didn't have many dives under your belt, it may be best to retake the Open Water Course (4 days). This depends on your comfort in the water.

[@ateammofo9676]

@@AzulUnlimited Awesome thanks for your help and information

[@AzulUnlimited]

@@ateammofo9676 You're very welcome! Good luck :)

[@marineboyocean]

Good honest accurate video. Personally I wouldn’t get out of bed for 20k USD per year. Good luck if you ever want to be anything more than a dive bum 🤦🏽‍♂️🤣

[@AzulUnlimited]

Thanks for the feedback bro 👍🏻

[@tak0yak1]

In order to dive a good dive destination properly, you need a lot of time there. You can do this by being a 'bum', as you so narrow-mindedly put it. OR, you can have boatloads of money to dive the place in all tidal conditions, all seasons, all sites, 100s of times per site. I've got 5,000 dives in Komodo alone. And I can tell you that it took that many for me to understand what the place is capable of and how to get the most out of the area. So, while I only made 3 to 4 thousand US per month for 8 months out of the year (I don't mean to brag. There were, and still are, only a handful of cruise directors that command that kind of money there. Most instructors on day boats only make 1 to 2 thousand/month when they are busy...) I saved almost all of that money to travel for the off season... and I didn't have to wear shoes to work. But I DID have to apologize for having the wrong vintage of wine quite a few times... that gets old, given the irony of the luxury vs. remote location. Rich people can be tiring. Especially American divers.

[@alegriadiveresort]

THE GUY IS HARD TO UNDERSTAND, english is very bad

[@AzulUnlimited]

Yeah, this was our first video and we didn't have an office to get out of the wind. Sorry about that, but check out our other videos. The first one is always the roughest! If you have questions about what is said here, just ask. We'll also be putting up subtitles