Underwater welders' salaries vary widely based on experience, location, type of work, and specialization. Here is a summary of typical earnings:

• Entry-level underwater welders generally earn between $20 to $40 per hour, or about $25,000 to $40,000 annually in the U.S.

• Experienced welders with 3-5 years can make $50,000 to $100,000 per year, with hourly rates often between $40 and $60.

• Offshore welders working on oil rigs or deep-sea projects can earn significantly more, typically $60,000 to over $200,000 annually, with some top specialists earning up to $300,000 or even $500,000 per year in saturation diving roles.

• In the UK, underwater welders earn around £33.67 per hour on average, equating to roughly £70,000 per year, with variations depending on offshore or inshore work and contract type.

• Factors affecting pay include location (e.g., Gulf of Mexico, North Sea), experience, certifications (such as saturation diving or hyperbaric welding), and the employer (oil companies tend to pay more than commercial diving firms).

In summary, underwater welding is a high-risk, highly specialized trade with salaries ranging from about $25,000 for beginners to over $200,000 for highly experienced offshore specialists, with the potential to reach $300,000 or more for top saturation divers. Hourly rates can range from $20 to over $100 depending on the job specifics.