When I first heard about underwater welding, I thought it was something only done in movies. But after 7 years of working as a welder, I’ve learned a lot about it and let me tell you, it’s one of the most interesting (and risky) welding jobs out there.
In this blog post, I’ll explain what underwater welding really is, how much money underwater welders can make, what kind of welding training is needed, and yes I’ll also talk honestly about accidents and underwater welding death rates.
I’m not here to scare you, just to share what I’ve learned in my whole life.
So if you’ve ever wondered how underwater welding works or if it’s the right job for you, keep reading.
What Is Underwater Welding?
Underwater welding means doing welding work deep down in the water, usually in the ocean, a lake, or even a river. It’s the same kind of welding we do on land, but it’s done underwater by divers who are trained for both welding and deep diving.
Now, I’m not an underwater welder myself, but as someone who has worked in welding for 7 years, I can tell you this is not your regular welding job.
It takes special training, special tools, and strong nerves. You’re not just fixing metal. You’re doing it while wearing a diving suit, with water pressure around you, and sometimes in places where the water is very cold or dark.
The big difference between underwater welding and normal welding is the environment. On land, we weld in dry places, usually with good lighting and a safe setup. Underwater, things are always moving water, pressure, even fish around you.
It’s harder to see clearly, and electricity and water don’t mix well, so it can be risky if not done the right way.
Most of this welding is done offshore, which means far out at sea. Underwater welders work on oil rigs, ships, pipelines, bridges, and other underwater structures. They help fix or build things that people can’t reach from land.
So in short, underwater welding is welding but deep down in places most people will never go.
Let me share a past incident…
“One time, near Busan Port, I was helping with a welding job on an old ship. I wasn’t the diver, but I was watching the monitor from above. Everything looked normal until the screen suddenly went black. We lost contact with the diver for almost five minutes. No sound, no bubbles. I honestly thought we lost him. When he finally came up, his face was pale. He said something cold touched his leg, like a hand. But no one else was down there. I’ve never forgotten that day. Since then, I always say the sea hides more than fish.”
How Does Underwater Welding Work?
Underwater welding works kind of like normal welding, but everything happens under the water and that makes it way more tricky.
There are two types of underwater welding: dry welding and wet welding.
In dry welding, a special chamber (like a small room) is placed around the area that needs to be welded. The water is pushed out, and the welder works inside that dry space, even though they’re still deep in the sea. It’s safer and cleaner but also expensive.
In wet welding, you weld directly in the water while wearing a full diving suit. This one is more common and cheaper, but it’s also more dangerous. The water can affect the weld quality, and you always have to watch out for electric shock.
To do underwater welding, divers use special waterproof welding tools like:
- Underwater welding rods
- Welding stinger (electrode holder)
- Diving helmet with communication system
- Diving suit and weight belt
- Power supply connected from the surface
- Air hose for breathing
Let me give you a simple example…
“Once, I saw a diver fix a crack in a big steel pipe underwater. He went down, cleaned the metal surface, clamped the welding rod, and made the weld all while floating in the water with heavy gear on his back. It took longer than normal welding, but he got it done. From the boat, we watched it live on the screen. It looked scary, but also very impressive.”
Salary of Underwater Welders in South Korea and USA
When I looked into underwater welding pay, I saw it’s very different depending on where you work.
In South Korea, underwater welders can earn about 30,000 to 50,000 USD per year. This depends on the company and how much experience you have.
In the U.S., underwater welding pays more. On average, welders make between 50,000 and 100,000 USD per year, sometimes even more if they work in tough places like the deep ocean or oil rigs.
What really affects salary? It’s things like:
- How many years you’ve been welding
- The depth and difficulty of the job
- The company you work for
- Special skills or certifications you have
Is the money worth it? Well, the pay is good compared to regular welding jobs, but you have to think about the risks.
The work is hard and dangerous, so many welders expect higher pay to match that. For some, the money is worth the risk. For others, it’s not.
From my experience, underwater welding is not for everyone but if you like adventure and want to earn more, it can be a good choice.
Underwater Welding Death Rate and Accidents
Is Underwater Welding Dangerous?
Yes, underwater welding is risky and very dangerous. You are working with electricity and metal under water, which makes things risky. The water can cause electric shocks, and the environment is hard to control.
What Causes Most Accidents?
Most accidents happen because of:
- Electric shocks from welding tools
- Getting stuck or tangled in gear
- Strong water currents pushing welders away
- Poor visibility under water
- Not following safety rules carefully
Chances of Getting Hurt or Killed
The chance of injury or death is higher in underwater welding than many other jobs. It is known as one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. Welders face many risks every day. Even with care, accidents still happen.
How Safety Training Helps
Good safety training is very important. It teaches welders how to:
- Use equipment properly
- Handle emergencies calmly
- Follow safety checks before working
Well-trained welders are much safer and avoid many accidents.
Accidents in South Korea and Other Countries
The exact accidents are not calculated so far but I researched some major accidents in the past and are listed below:
1. The Busan Ship Hull Tragedy – 2025
In July 2025, three commercial divers in Busan lost consciousness while cleaning barnacles off a container ship’s hull. Two died, and one was left in critical condition. Investigators suspected breathing gas contamination or equipment malfunction as possible causes (The Maritime Executive, Dive Magazine).
2. Hanwha Ocean Shipyard Death – 2024
A subcontracted diver died while removing foreign objects from a ship hull at Hanwha Ocean’s shipyard. The incident prompted an official investigation under South Korea’s Serious Accidents Punishment Act and raised questions about subcontractor safety oversight (Korea JoongAng Daily, Business Korea).
3. Hyundai Shipyard Fatality – 2023
Another fatal accident struck when a diver contracted for underwater work at Hyundai Heavy Industries lost his life. The victim’s family pursued legal action, claiming poor supervision and inadequate safety measures (Korea Times, Korea Herald).
4. Byford Dolphin Accident – North Sea, 1983
One of the deadliest commercial diving incidents in history. An explosive decompression killed five divers and one topside operator on the Byford Dolphin oil rig in the North Sea. It remains a tragic example of how a single equipment or procedural failure can be fatal (Wikipedia, BBC).
5. Wildrake Disaster – North Sea, 1979
Two saturation divers died after being trapped in a diving bell 160 feet underwater when it detached from its recovery system. Rescue attempts failed due to bad weather and poor equipment design (Divernet, The Guardian).
6. Gulf of Mexico Pipeline Repair Accident – USA, 2012
A team of divers performing wet welding on an underwater pipeline faced an unexpected gas leak. One diver died from drowning after his umbilical was severed. This accident reinforced how quickly emergencies can escalate underwater (OSHA Reports, NOAA).
7. Australian Oil Rig Incident – 2009
In Western Australia, an underwater welder died after suffering an electric shock while performing repairs on a rig structure. Investigation revealed that insulation on welding cables had been damaged, allowing current to leak into the water (ABC News Australia, Safe Work Australia).
Underwater Welding Death Rates
The underwater welding death rate is reported to be between 15% and 20%, significantly higher than most occupations. This high rate is due to dangers such as electric shock, explosions, drowning, decompression sickness, and strong underwater conditions. Even with safety precautions, the risks remain extremely severe.
Note: There is no authentic source about the death rates of under water welder but some information I collected from google is below:
Divers in the United States die at a rate of approximately 20 deaths per 100,000 workers each year, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). By comparison, the death rate for all occupations in the United States is 3.5 deaths per 100,000 workers per year. It means divers, including those who perform underwater welding, are at a much higher risk of death than the average worker.
Training Needed to Become an Underwater Welder
Basic Steps to Get Started
To become an underwater welder, you need to learn two main skills: welding and diving. First, you should get good at regular welding on land. Then, you learn how to dive safely underwater. Both skills are very important for this job.
Do You Need to Be a Certified Welder First?
Yes, it’s better to be a certified welder before starting underwater welding training. Certification shows that you know the basics of welding well. Many underwater welding schools want you to have this before you join their program.
Where to Get Training
You will need to attend:
- A welding school to get your welding certificate
- A diving school that offers special underwater welding courses
Some places combine both training sessions, but usually, you do them one by one.
How Long It Takes
Becoming an underwater welder can take about 1 to 2 years, depending on your schedule and the program. Welding certification may take several months, and diving training also takes a few months. After that, you need practice to get comfortable working underwater.
Pros and Cons of Underwater Welding
- Good Pay — Underwater welding pays more than regular welding jobs.
- Exciting Work — It’s not boring! You get to work underwater, which is different every day.
- Job Demand — Many industries need underwater welders, so jobs are often available.
- Skill Growth — You learn both welding and diving skills, which makes you more valuable.
- Adventure — If you like the ocean and new challenges, this job can be fun and adventurous.
- High Risk — The work is dangerous, with risks like electric shock and drowning.
- Hard Training — You need special training in both welding and diving, which takes time and money.
- Physical Stress — Working underwater is tiring and hard on your body.
- Weather Dependent — Bad weather or strong currents can delay or stop work.
- Limited Career Length — Many underwater welders stop after some years because the job is too hard or risky.
My Thoughts After 7 Years in Welding
After working as a welder for 7 years, I’ve learned a lot about different types of welding — but underwater welding is something I haven’t tried myself yet. Honestly, it looks very challenging and risky. I respect the welders who do it because it needs strong skills and courage.
If someone asks me about trying underwater welding, I always say: Make sure you really want it. It’s not just about good pay or adventure. You need to be ready for hard training and dangerous work. Don’t rush. Take time to get good at regular welding first.
My final tip is: always put safety first. No job is worth risking your life. If you decide to go for it, learn everything you can and never ignore safety rules. That’s the best way to succeed.
Conclusion
Underwater welding is a unique and exciting job, but it comes with many risks and hard work. We talked about what it is, how it works, the salary, dangers, and the training you need. If you want to try it, remember to be patient, learn well, and always keep safety your top priority.
For beginners, don’t be afraid to ask questions and take small steps. Welding is a skill you can build over time.
If you have any questions or want to share your own thoughts about underwater welding, please leave a comment below. I’m happy to help!
FAQs About Underwater Welding
Why is underwater welding so dangerous?
It is dangerous because you work with electricity under water, where water and electricity don’t mix well. Plus, strong currents, poor visibility, and the risk of getting stuck make it risky.
How much does underwater welding pay?
In the U.S., underwater welders usually make between $50,000 and $100,000 a year. Pay depends on experience, job difficulty, and location.
How does underwater welding work?
Underwater welding is like regular welding but done under water. Sometimes welders work inside dry chambers (dry welding), or directly in water with special suits (wet welding).
How to get into underwater welding?
First, get certified as a regular welder. Then, take diving and underwater welding training. It usually takes 1 to 2 years to complete all training.
What is the difference between dry welding and wet welding?
Dry welding is done inside a dry chamber underwater, while wet welding is done directly in the water with a diving suit.
What is the real Underwater welding death rate and why is it so high?
The real underwater welding death rate is estimated at around 15%–20%, making it one of the most dangerous professions. The high risk comes from factors like electric shock, drowning, decompression sickness, explosions, and harsh underwater conditions. Despite safety measures, these hazards keep the fatality rate alarmingly high.
Hello Everyone! I’m Seo Jun, a professional welder with over 7 years of hands on practical experience in South Korea. Right Now, working in Seakor Corp. Ltd. I created myweldingtips.com to share real-life welding tips, safety advice, and techniques. My goal is to help others learn faster and work smarter through practical, easy-to-understand welding guides. Contact me
