Freelance scuba instructor

Dive shops and dive boat operators pay you for each course or day. Their customers are beginners, holidaymakers and certified divers wanting more training.

A day rate or a per-student fee for each course taught, plus tips and extra pay for specialty courses or guiding. Work is often busier in warmer months and on weekends.

• Confident, calm diver with plenty of logged dives
• Clear teaching and safety briefings
• Good with nervous beginners
• Fit enough to carry gear and handle boats

• Instructor certification and annual membership fees with your training agency
• Professional indemnity and public liability insurance, and whether the shop's cover includes you
• Work health and safety rules for diving instruction differ by state, so check with your state regulator
• Working with Children Check if you will teach juniors, as requirements vary by state
• Income can be seasonal and weather dependent, so plan for quiet months

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $3,000 to $8,000, depending on your certification level, gear and insurance. Remember there are also instructor certification and annual membership fees with your training agency, so check what applies to you.

Monthly revenue is estimated at around $800 to $4,000, depending on how many courses and guided dives you take and the time of year. Income can be seasonal and weather dependent, so plan for quiet months. Estimates start at around 8 hours a week.

Check insurance, including professional indemnity and public liability, and whether a shop's cover includes you. Work health and safety rules for diving instruction differ by state, so check with your state regulator. Check Working with Children Check rules if teaching juniors.