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Fishing and Hunting Workers

Typical education: High school diplomaModerate pressure

What they do

Hunt, trap, catch, or gather wild animals or aquatic animals and plants. May use nets, traps, or other equipment. May haul catch onto ship or other vessel.

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.

Moderate pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

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What you might do

  • Maintain and repair trapping equipment.
  • Obtain permission from landowners to hunt or trap on their land.
  • Track animals by checking for signs such as droppings or destruction of vegetation.
  • Participate in animal damage control, wildlife management, disease control, and research activities.
  • Wash decks, conveyors, knives, and other equipment, using brushes, detergents, and water.
  • Travel on foot, by vehicle, or by equipment such as boats, snowmobiles, helicopters, snowshoes, or skis to reach hunting areas.

Job outlook

United States
4% fewer jobs by 2035, declining · about 3,300 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Fishing, hunting and trapping64.4%
  • Self-employed (their own business)32.2%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: Up to 1 month

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: High school diplomaExperience before this job: Up to 1 monthEntry-level

This is an entry-level job. Most people start with a high school diploma and learn the work on the job, usually in up to about a month.

  1. High school diploma

    4 years

    Finish school and build a base in math, science, and safety, which helps with reading weather, tides, and equipment.

  2. Fishing and Hunting Worker

    Up to 1 month of training, then ongoing

    Learn to use nets, traps, and other gear, handle and haul catches safely, and follow local rules on seasons and catch limits. Experience here is the usual route to bigger jobs on the water.

Where it can lead

  1. Sailors and Marine Oilers

    1-2 years of experience first

    You move from catching and gathering to working the deck and crew of a larger vessel, with more responsibility for ship operations and safety.

  2. Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels

    2-4 years of experience first

    You take charge of navigation and the crew, which usually requires years of time on the water plus a required license or certificate.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take biology, earth science, and mathThese classes explain fish and wildlife, weather, and the numbers you will use when tracking catches and gear.
  • Get a part-time or summer job outdoorsWork at a marina, farm, bait shop, or landscaping company to learn hard work, reliability, and how to handle equipment.
  • Join a 4-H, FFA, or outdoors clubClubs like these teach animal care, fishing or hunting skills, and teamwork in outdoor settings.
  • Take a hunter or boating safety courseMany states offer these courses for young people, and they show employers you understand safe handling of gear and firearms or boats.
  • Volunteer for a local conservation or cleanup eventHelping with river, lake, or habitat work shows you care about natural resources and gives you hands-on exposure.

In college

  • Take courses in biology, fisheries, or wildlifeClasses in aquatic biology, ecology, or wildlife management give you knowledge that helps in fishing and hunting work and related fields.
  • Work a seasonal job on a boat or at a fish or game operationSeasonal work on a commercial vessel, fish hatchery, or hunting outfitter gives you real experience and possible references.
  • Earn a boating or first aid certificationCertifications like these are often inexpensive to get through local providers and show employers you can work safely.
  • Join a student fishing, wildlife, or outdoor clubClubs build practical skills and connect you with people who work in the field.
  • Talk with working fishers or wildlife staffAsk local boat captains or state wildlife office staff about their work, which can open doors to jobs and internships.

Tips for getting started

  • Get comfortable on or near water now: ask about summer or part-time work at a marina, bait shop, or fish market, and learn what the boats and gear do.
  • Learn the safety basics early, such as first aid, life jackets, and cold-water safety. Employers value people who take safety seriously.
  • Look up your state or region's fishing and hunting rules, since licenses and seasons vary, and get any required licenses as soon as you are old enough.

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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