Saturation diver salary: Above or below the national average?
Saturation divers work in some of the most demanding environments in Australia – deep offshore waters, high pressure, and long shifts. Their pay reflects that. Under the Professional Diving Industry (Industrial) Award 2020, the minimum salary for an offshore diver (the classification that covers saturation work) is set well above the national full-time average. But not all divers earn the same. The award distinguishes between offshore and inshore work, and the difference is substantial.
The award minimums
Fair Work's Professional Diving Industry Award (effective 1 July 2026) gives two sets of rates. For offshore divers, the minimum weekly rate is $1,112.10, but that is only the base. An "aggregate weekly factor" of 111% is added to account for rosters, overtime, penalty rates, and the nature of the industry. The total weekly rate for a full-time offshore Diver is $2,346.53. Multiply by 52 weeks and you get about $122,020 per year.
On top of that, a diving allowance is paid per dive. For dives using saturation techniques, the minimum allowance is $390 per dive. The allowance is also paid per metre or foot: $5.23 per metre or $1.56 per foot, with a minimum of $78 for non-saturation dives.
For inshore divers, the award is simpler. The minimum weekly rate for a Diver is $1,344.50, which works out to about $69,914 per year. No aggregate factor applies, but overtime and penalty rates are paid separately.
How it stacks up against the national average
The ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026, reports full-time adult ordinary time earnings of $2,083.70 per week – about $108,352 per year. That is the figure used by Average line as the national line.
- An offshore saturation diver's minimum total weekly rate of $2,346.53 is $262.83 above the national average (about 12.6% higher).
- An inshore diver's minimum rate of $1,344.50 is $739.20 below the national average (about 35% lower).
So the answer to "above or below?" depends on whether the diver works offshore or inshore. Saturation diving is almost exclusively offshore, so saturation divers typically earn above the national average.
Medians and other benchmarks
The ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey (August 2025) gives median figures: full-time median about $90,532 per year; all-employees median about $74,100. The offshore diver minimum of $122,020 is well above both medians. The inshore diver minimum of $69,914 is below the full-time median but close to the all-employees median.
For context, the national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or about $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week. Both diver classifications are above that.
State averages and tax
State full-time averages vary. Western Australia leads at $115,825 per year, followed by the ACT at $119,090. An offshore diver's minimum of $122,020 beats every state average except possibly the ACT (close). Inshore divers would be below most state averages.
For the 2026–27 tax year, a saturation diver earning $122,020 would fall into the 30% marginal bracket ($45,001 to $135,000) plus the 2% Medicare levy. After tax and Medicare, take-home pay would be roughly $88,000–$90,000, depending on deductions.
What moves this pay above or below the line?
Several factors push saturation diver pay above the national average:
- Offshore work: The aggregate factor bundles compensation for irregular hours, overtime, and the hazardous environment.
- Saturation diving allowance: The $390 minimum per dive adds up quickly for divers doing multiple saturation dives.
- Specialised skills: Saturation diving requires advanced training and medical certification, which commands a premium.
Conversely, inshore divers earn below average because the work is less extreme, hours are more regular, and the award does not include an aggregate factor. Casual or entry-level divers may also earn less.
Where to find more
If you want to see how your own salary compares, you can place a salary on the line and see where it sits relative to the national average. For detailed breakdowns by occupation, visit job medians. To understand how the figures are calculated, see how the figures are set.
Summary
Saturation divers working offshore under the Professional Diving Industry Award earn a minimum of about $122,020 per year – comfortably above the national full-time average of $108,352. Inshore divers earn about $69,914, which is below average. The gap reflects the different conditions, risks, and award structures. For a saturation diver, the pay is clearly above the line.