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If you are an underwater welder who has been injured on the job, you may be entitled to significant payment, whether it is through a lawsuit or a workers’ compensation claim. The experienced California maritime worker injury attorneys at The Law Offices of Preston Easley APC can help.
There are numerous dangers inherent in underwater welding, and those are still present, even when the employer is taking all of the necessary care. The situation can be exacerbated when there is an employer who cuts corners. Depending on the location of your job, you may even be able to file a personal injury lawsuit directly against the employer.
Speak to a maritime accident injury attorney at The Law Offices of Preston Easley APC to learn whether and how you can qualify for financial compensation. The consultation is free, and you pay nothing unless you win.
Underwater Welders Are Injured and Killed at Extremely High Rates
Underwater welding is one of the most singularly dangerous professions in the United States. There are differing statistics on the fatality rate of these workers. According to Inspenet, an energy & industrial trade publication, roughly 15 out of every 1,000 underwater welders will lose their lives on the job each year. This mortality rate is only on an annual basis, meaning that an underwater welder has a statistically significant chance of being killed on the job during the course of their career. Even if an underwater welder is not killed in an accident, there is a high chance that they would suffer some type of injury during the course of their employment. There is a reason why underwater welders make far more than the average worker.
Welding alone, even when it occurs on land, has its own share of inherent hazards that include exposure to gases and flame and complicated equipment. The situation is exacerbated far more when the welder is underwater. There are many reasons why underwater welding can be a dangerous profession. The first, and most obvious reason, is that the worker is submerged for an extended amount of time. Beyond that, an underwater welder may face the following risks during the course of their job:
- Decompression sickness: Given the fact that underwater welders spend large periods of time submerged, they must decompress as they return to the surface. If the welder decompresses too quickly, it can lead to sickness, which can be fatal in severe instances.
- Explosions: Gases can build up during the course of welding, and the worker can be near dangerous chemicals, leading to the possibility of a serious explosion.
- Faulty equipment: The welder is reliant on complex equipment to keep them safe when they are underwater. This equipment can fail, causing serious injuries. In addition, the welder could also be injured by the work tools that they are using (If the welder is injured by faulty equipment, they may be able to hold the manufacturer liable in a product liability lawsuit).
- Marine hazards: Being underwater means its own unique hazards that can include water pressure and marine life
- Bodily injury: Working in a hazardous environment underwater can raise the risk for injuries such as joint damage, hearing loss, nerve damage and lung conditions from potentially breathing in dangerous gases and the constant decompression.
Given the inherent dangers of the job, these injuries can be extremely serious, causing a worker to incur significant medical expenses and potentially resulting in a reduced quality of life (if the welder survives their injuries).
How Much do Underwater Welders Make?
Underwater welding can be financially rewarding, but earnings vary widely based on experience, location, and the type of work performed. In the United States, as of 2026 many underwater welders earn roughly $50,000 to $90,000 per year on average, with entry-level workers starting closer to $40,000 to $60,000 annually.
More experienced commercial diving welders—especially those working offshore or in hazardous conditions—can earn well over $100,000, and in rare cases, highly specialized saturation divers may bring in significantly higher incomes. However, pay is often inconsistent because work can be project-based, and factors like depth, risk level, and certifications all influence overall compensation.
What is the Life Expectancy of an Underwater Welder
The life expectancy of an underwater welder is a major point of concern for those considering entering this industry, largely because the profession involves commercial diving in high-risk environments rather than welding alone. While there is no definitive or universally accepted average lifespan specific to underwater welders, the occupation carries elevated dangers that can impact long-term health and safety.
Risks such as decompression sickness, equipment failure, explosions, and prolonged exposure to extreme pressure all contribute to a higher-than-average occupational hazard rate compared to many other trades. That said, modern safety protocols, improved diving technology, and strict training standards have significantly reduced fatality rates in recent decades.
Many professional divers and underwater welders go on to have long careers, particularly when they adhere to safety guidelines and work with reputable employers, but the job remains one of the more dangerous and physically demanding professions in the industrial sector.
The Employer Needs to Follow Rules to Keep Underwater Welders Safe
The employer must follow a strict set of protocols for underwater welding. Not only are there industry standards for the proper selection and training of underwater welders, but there are also procedures that govern how the welding is done and the necessary proper safety measures. For example, the AWS D3.6 Underwater Welding Code imposes requirements for welding structures or components under the surface of water.
The types of compensation you could receive, and how you seek it, depend on the nature and location of your job as an underwater welder. If you meet the legal definition of a “seaman,” and you are working on a vessel in navigation, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against your employer, seeking compensation for their negligence. Otherwise, you may be able to file a workers’ compensation claim under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. An experienced maritime lawyer can advise you about the best way to seek compensation in your case.
Contact a Southern California Maritime Injury Law Firm Today
If you are an underwater welder who has been injured on the job, or you have lost a loved one in such an accident, reach out to the experienced Southern California Maritime injury attorneys at The Law Offices of Preston Easley APC. We also serve injured clients in Hawaii. You can speak to a maritime injury lawyer by filling out an online contact form or by calling us today at (310) 773-5207.
Preston Easley is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. He served five years of active duty as a Naval officer — three years as a deck officer on a fast frigate and two years as a patrol boat skipper. Mr. Easley also served aboard a tank landing ship in the reserves. Learn more here.
