RE: Diving ad relates sports as a career

Question
To be a master diver/ instructor, I was wondering about the financial costs to obtain such expertise/equipment and the average salary one can expect once this certification is obtained?

Answer
Well it depends from your starting point on how much experience and certifications you have; here's an example as a complete beginner through the PADI system as this is the most popular training agency and one with the most employment opportunities.

Thsi example is from our facility in Honduras, Central America, so flights (from USA approximately $1000 and $1400 Europe) and living costs ($700-800 per month) also need to be factored into account;

PADI Open Water course including manuals, RDP: table, certification card and reef fees $255 (4 days)

PADI Advanced course including manuals, certification card and reef fees $247 (2 days)

CPR 1st Aid course including manuals and certification card $73 (1 day)

PADI Rescue Diver including manuals, certification card and reef fees $253 (4 days)

PADI Divemaster including manuals, and reef fees $780 (4 weeks)

PADI Instructor Development Course $995 (11 days and 2 day IE)

Total course fees = $2603 - package discount = $2400

Additional costs include;
Log books $3 each
PADI Divemaster application fee $70 (payable to PADI)
PADI Instructor Examinations $560 (payable to PADI)
PADI IDC materials $350
RDP抯: Wheels, table and E-RDP $70
Rescue Pocket mask $24

Total costs $3477

I know the costs involved may seem high but when you compare the 'return on investment' when you become a dive instructor to may other industries you'll see that it doesn't take long before you make back your investment.  Obviously this will vary depending on the dive operation you work for as there is a big difference in the standards between the schools. I would say that at UDC our Instructors average $800-$1000 per month low season and as much as $1500-2000 in the busiest months of the year.  In 2006 we had trained over 80 Instructors and helped all those who have stayed in the local area find suitable employment and through our placement service have also secured positions for our Instructors in the Caymans, Costa Rica and Panama.

We do not employ more than 2 Divemasters on a paid basis and this is quite a common situation in other dive centers on Utila and around the world.  Due to the low cost of diving on the island ($43 for 2 boat dives) most centers use Divemaster's in training for guiding divers or have certified Divemasters who are willing to work simply in exchange for experience.

There are 1 or 2 centers that hire Divemasters but usually for a maximum pay of $10 per day though we will pay you for referring students to take courses with us and we'll also pay you $5 per head for every Scuba Review you conduct.  This is quite a common situation in a lot of other dive resorts around the world though there some dive centers or resorts that may use dive guides, they normally look to Instructors to fill this position due to the additional qualification, and normally the earning potential is limited to a basic monthly salary plus tips.  

Please also bear in mind you will need a full set of scuba gear which can cost about $2000 to get fully kitted with a basic set up from scratch.

You can take a look at our sites for more information;

www.goproutila.com
www.utiladivecenter.com

I hope this helps.