Octopusprime, I'm certainly no expert on making a living as an instructor. I have read on SB of some instructors doing exactly what you describe and making a fairly decent living. I would be interested in hearing from others who know of one pulling down $80K US. I've heard of one making $48K. Again, with very limited exposure working at one shop as a DM 4 years, I have not met one of these instructors--nor on my travels to parts of the U.S. Nevertheless, I'm skeptical as to how many do make that kind of money worldwide, and would like to hear from those more qualified than me. I do know a couple who make a living, but they also work in shops--retail, etc. And there is the odd one who will post on scubaboard. Just curious as to how hard the road is to $80K--I mean, there are 200+ NBA players also.