A love of the ocean, the willingness to stay on a fishing boat for weeks at a time and the ability to process fish aboard a boat are the traits of a deep sea fisherman. Most deep-sea fishermen work for commercial fishing companies that catch and prepare fish to sell once the boat returns to dock. Some fishermen get paid a salary, while others get a percentage of the catch. Sometimes the work is seasonal, requiring long hours for a few months and little to no work at other times. The top paid fishermen make more than $42,000 when paid an annual wage.
The average wage for fishermen was $30,220 annually as of May 2011, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics. This amount is equivalent to $14.53 per hour. The top 10 percent of fishermen made $42,410 on average annually, equal to $20.39 per hour. The lowest 10 percent of fishermen made an average of $20,480 per year, or $9.84 per hour.
The state with the highest employment levels for deep-sea fishermen was Massachusetts, with 40 jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Jobs in the state paid an average of $31,610 annually, or $15.20 per hour. Washington came in first of the top paying states, with jobs averaging $34,680 annually, or $16.67 per hour. New Jersey provided eight jobs that paid an average of $23,530 per year, or $11.31 per hour.
Seafood product preparation and packaging industries offered the most jobs for fishermen, coming in at 140 jobs offered in several states. These jobs paid an average wage of $32,520 annually. The federal government offered 50 jobs that paid an average of $43,360 annually. Scenic and sightseeing transportation companies also offered jobs at an average wage of $24,860 per year.
The rising cost of seafood, the increase in imported seafood and the competition from farm-raised fish companies mean the job outlook for fishermen will decline by 6 percent from 2010 to 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. While improved technology has helped fishermen catch fish more efficiently, the government has set tighter limits on the number of fish that can be caught, making the job market weak. Fishermen who leave the occupation due to the hazards of the position will leave jobs open, especially in larger fishing operations. Job openings at smaller, independent fishing companies are expected to be limited.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Fishers and Related Fishing Workers, What Fishers and Related Fishing Workers Do
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Fishers and Related Fishing Workers, Job Outlook
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2011, Fishers and Related Fishing Workers
- Deep Sea Fisherman's Union: Positions Available
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