Fishing and hunting workers: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Fishing and hunting workers fall under the Farming, Fishing, and Forestry category in the U.S. occupational classification. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -4.6% job growth through 2034, projected to lose jobs through 2034. Entry into this field typically requires a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, certifications, or postsecondary credentials, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do fishing and hunting workers earn?

BLS does not publish a current median annual wage for fishing and hunting workers, which usually means the occupation is small, niche, or reported only as part of a broader category. For pay context, check the parent SOC group or O*NET's wage-by-state tables.

Is fishing and hunting workers a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for fishing and hunting workers is -4.6%, projected to lose jobs through 2034. Employment is projected to move from approximately 21K positions in 2024 to 20K in 2034, a net change of -1K. A declining outlook does not mean the field is disappearing; it means automation, demographics, or substitution effects are shrinking the pool of openings. Students entering a declining field should plan for adjacent skills that transfer to growing roles.

What do fishing and hunting workers do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working fishing and hunting workers, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Wash decks, conveyors, knives, and other equipment, using brushes, detergents, and water.
2. 2.Oversee the purchase of supplies, gear, and equipment.
3. 3.Travel on foot, by vehicle, or by equipment such as boats, snowmobiles, helicopters, snowshoes, or skis to reach hunting areas.
4. 4.Remove catches from fishing equipment and measure them to ensure compliance with legal size.
5. 5.Direct fishing or hunting operations, and supervise crew members.
6. 6.Interpret weather and vessel conditions to determine appropriate responses.
7. 7.Connect accessories such as floats, weights, flags, lights, or markers to nets, lines, or traps.
8. 8.Harvest marine life for human or animal consumption, using diving or dredging equipment, traps, barges, rods, reels, or tackle.

Top skills for fishing and hunting workers

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become fishing and hunting worker?

Many fishing and hunting workers enter the field with a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, though employers increasingly favor candidates with certifications or some postsecondary coursework. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers
  $59,330 median
• Fallers
  $53,900 median
• Animal Breeders
  $52,000 median
• Logging Workers, All Other
  $52,000 median
• Agricultural Inspectors
  $50,990 median
• Logging Equipment Operators
  $49,210 median

Common questions parents ask about fishing and hunting workers