Fishing and hunting workers: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry · SOC 45-3031 · O*NET 45-3031.00
Fishing and hunting workers fall under the Farming, Fishing, and Forestry category in the U.S. occupational classification. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -4.2% job growth through 2035, projected to lose jobs through 2035. 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 -4.2%, projected to lose jobs through 2035. Employment is projected to move from approximately 28K positions in 2024 to 27K 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 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
How parents help teens explore careers like this
Solyo helps parents map a teen's interests to specific careers, then back to the colleges and majors that lead there. Salary, outlook, and education data come from BLS and O*NET — the same sources high school counselors use — but presented for the parent's planning lens, not the student's exploration view.
Common questions parents ask about fishing and hunting workers
What is the median salary for fishing and hunting workers?
BLS does not publish a current median wage for fishing and hunting workers as a standalone occupation.
Is fishing and hunting workers a growing career?
BLS projects -4.2% growth for fishing and hunting workers from 2025 through 2035, which is declining growth projected to lose jobs through 2035.
What education does my child need to become fishing and hunting worker?
The typical entry path requires a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, certifications, or postsecondary credentials, plus any state licensure or certification specific to the role. Programs that align well with this career can be filtered inside Solyo's college search.
What careers are similar to fishing and hunting workers?
Related occupations within the Farming, Fishing, and Forestry category share education paths and skill profiles, so they're a useful starting set when a teen is uncertain. The "Related careers" section below lists nearby options.
Salary data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics program. Skills, tasks, and education distribution from the O*NET database. Job outlook from the BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035 release.