Underwater Welder
Carry out specialist welding on subsea pipelines, ship hulls and offshore platforms - one of the highest-paid trades in the world.
This UK underwater welder career guide covers what the role involves day to day, typical salary at each stage, the usual entry route, the skills employers expect, and related careers worth comparing.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £50,000 - £65,000
- Mid-career salary
- £70,000 - £100,000
- Senior salary
- £120,000 - £200,000+
- Work environment
- Offshore, subsea, rota work
- Time to entry
- 1 - 3 years (commercial dive school after welder qual)
- Degree required
- Not required - HSE Part I / IMCA diving certs
- Category
- Maritime and Offshore
What a Underwater Welder does
Carry out specialist welding on subsea pipelines, ship hulls and offshore platforms - one of the highest-paid trades in the world.
- Inshore Welder Diver - Subsea welding in UK waters - harbours, locks, oil terminals.
- Offshore Saturation Welder Diver - Saturation dives at depth on North Sea oil and gas.
- Renewables Subsea Specialist - Inspection and welding on offshore wind subsea cables and foundations.
How to become a Underwater Welder
- Look up Underwater Welder roles on LinkedIn or Indeed and read 5 real job ads
- Talk to someone already working as a Underwater Welder - even a 15-minute call helps
- Find one beginner course or qualification used by people in this role
- Build one small piece of evidence you've explored this (project, shadowing, short course)
- Apply to one entry-level role or related opportunity within the next month
Key skills
- Welding (TIG/MMA)
- Commercial diving
- Subsea engineering
- Safety mindset