Freelance scuba instructor

Beginners trying diving, holiday divers who want certification, and qualified divers who want further courses. Dive centres also pay freelancers to cover busy periods.

You are paid per course or per day by a dive centre, or you charge students directly. Extra income can come from guiding dives and selling certification materials, where your agency allows it.

• Confident, calm diver
• Patient teaching and clear communication
• Safety awareness and good judgement
• Organising groups and kit

• Professional indemnity and public liability insurance, plus any cover your agency requires
• Teaching standards and membership renewals set by your training agency, check current requirements
• A current diving medical, check what your agency and employers require
• Check HSE rules for diving at work, as paid instruction may fall under them
• Work is seasonal and weather-dependent, so income can be uneven
• Pool hire and boat access costs, and who is responsible for equipment

Startup costs are typically around £3,000 to £8,000 as an estimate, depending on your training agency, qualifications, kit and insurance. Pool hire and boat access costs, and who is responsible for equipment, are worth checking too.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around £300 to £1,500, depending on how much teaching you get. Work is seasonal and weather-dependent, so income can be uneven. The estimate assumes at least about 6 hours a week.

Check professional indemnity and public liability insurance, plus any cover your agency requires. Check your agency's standards and membership renewals, the diving medical it and employers require, and HSE rules for diving at work, as paid instruction may fall under them.