Does it pay well to be a scuba instructor?

People sometimes ask, "Does it pay well to be a scuba instructor?"

Being a scuba instructor means constantly learning new things, working with all kinds of different people, watching as the "light bulbs" suddenly come on, being underwater with amazing animals, helping people understand how fragile the aquatic world is and inspiring them to protect it, and so much more. 

It can mean a life of extreme fulfillment and adventure, but like all teaching careers, it is one of difficulty, complexity, and financial poverty.

So if by "pay well", you mean money, then the answer is most often NO, but if you measure life by a different measuring stick and know exactly what you are getting yourself into then it pays immeasurably!

*Caution- for some people being an instructor pays absolutely no money at all! Some dive shops will not pay instructors any cold hard cash, instead giving them more scuba certifications, paying their liability insurance, offering free or discounted gear, discounted travel in exchange for leading dive excursions, and sometimes even "free" air! Basically the instructor becomes a pawn in doing the work of the shop in a sort of pyramid scheme, bringing in his/her friends to the "club". They eagerly represent the shop and bring in new customers until eventually they realize they are putting in far more than they get out. Watch out for this arrangement. Be sure you actually get paid a real living wage with benefits for your hard work or at least understand the game in advance.

Don't feed the sharks!