Occupation · SOC 45-3031
Fishing and Hunting Workers
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.
Median wage
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Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
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per year
Employed (US)
—
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
23 mapped
Core skills
Critical ThinkingSpeakingOperations MonitoringActive ListeningOperation and ControlMonitoringEquipment SelectionEquipment MaintenanceTime ManagementSocial PerceptivenessRepairingJudgment and Decision MakingCoordinationComplex Problem SolvingActive LearningTroubleshootingService OrientationQuality Control AnalysisReading ComprehensionWritingSystems AnalysisPersuasionManagement of Personnel ResourcesInstructingSystems EvaluationLearning StrategiesNegotiationManagement of Material ResourcesTechnology DesignManagement of Financial ResourcesMathematicsInstallationOperations AnalysisScienceProgramming
Knowledge areas
Law and GovernmentMechanicalGeographyProduction and ProcessingBiologyCustomer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageFood ProductionPublic Safety and SecurityAdministration and ManagementTransportationComputers and ElectronicsEducation and TrainingSales and MarketingTelecommunicationsMathematicsChemistryEconomics and AccountingBuilding and ConstructionEngineering and TechnologyPersonnel and Human ResourcesPsychologyCommunications and MediaAdministrativeDesignMedicine and DentistryPhysicsSociology and AnthropologyForeign LanguageTherapy and CounselingHistory and ArcheologyPhilosophy and TheologyFine Arts
Technology & tools
Catchlog Trading CatchlogDeerDaysInventory management systemsMaxSea TIMEZEROMaxSea Time Zero Navigator NOAAMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareOLRAC Electronic Logbook Software SolutionP-Sea WindPlotSignet Nobeltec CatchStrat-Tech Deer Hunting ExpertTrimble MyTopo Terrain Navigator ProWinchester Ammunition Ballistics Calculator
Representative tasks
Performing General Physical ActivitiesHandling and Moving ObjectsMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentGetting InformationRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkThinking CreativelyEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeDocumenting/Recording InformationControlling Machines and ProcessesJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleScheduling Work and ActivitiesMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationTraining and Teaching OthersProcessing InformationCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersCoaching and Developing OthersAnalyzing Data or InformationSelling or Influencing OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesPerforming Administrative ActivitiesWorking with ComputersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentAssisting and Caring for OthersDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Routine deck work (lines, nets, traps) — perform under a senior crewmember's direction on a commercial vessel.Personal protective equipment and immersion suits — apply consistently in marine and cold-weather settings.Standard knots, splices, and net mending — execute on routine gear during off-watch.Vessel safety (drills, fire, MOB, abandon-ship) — participate without prompting on the vessel.Wildlife handling (game, bait, traps) — perform under a guide's direction with documented training.Routine catch counts, tag retrieval, and logbook entries — record accurately under captain or guide review.Sea sickness, cold-water exposure, and fatigue — manage with documented self-care.Routine engine and deck-equipment checks — perform per the operation's daily checklist.Stowage and watch standing on quiet legs — perform reliably under supervision.Communications with the captain and crew — relay clearly during operations.
developing
Independent deck operations on familiar gear types — execute reliably across a season.Hydraulic equipment (winches, haulers, sorting tables) — operate safely with documented training.Catch quality and grade (icing, bleeding, sorting) — manage to the buyer's standards.Trip planning and provisioning support — contribute to the captain or guide.Hunting and trapping ethics and regulations — apply consistently across federal, state, and tribal rules.Routine vessel and gear maintenance — perform with documented checklists.Junior crew and apprentices — train on safety, gear, and crew dynamics.Wildlife dressing, preservation, and transport — execute to processor or buyer standards.Permits, tags, and quotas (commercial and recreational) — track and apply per the operation.Communications with port agents, processors, and brokers — conduct at routine level.
proficient
Deck-boss or guide-lead role — supervise crew across a fishing season or hunting outfit.Vessel safety officer responsibilities — own drills, equipment, and documentation per USCG rules.Quota management and reporting (NOAA, state-fishery, fur-buyer) — own with documented compliance.Routine repairs (electrical, hydraulic, propulsion) — diagnose and fix at sea with vendor backup.Catch-quality and product-flow leadership — own from harvest to delivery.Continuous-improvement (fuel, catch per unit effort, bycatch reduction) — lead with measurable outcomes.Crew safety culture — establish with measurable injury and near-miss reductions.Customer-facing guiding — lead trips with strong safety, ethics, and hospitality.Junior captains, deckbosses, and guides — mentor on operational ownership.Permits, port relationships, and processor terms — manage at operational level.
advanced
Captain or outfit-owner leadership — set direction across vessel, crew, customers, and finances.Capital decisions (vessels, motors, gear, leases) — author with lenders and partners.Industry advocacy (fisheries councils, hunting associations) — contribute at policy and rulemaking level.Crisis response (medical, mechanical, weather, regulatory) — command at sea and on land.Workforce development and certification programs — build with state agencies and trade groups.Vertical integration (processor partnerships, direct-to-consumer sales) — design and steward.Major audits and certifications (MSC, sustainable-fishery programs) — lead at operation level.Long-term resource-management partnerships — engage with biologists and tribes.Talent pipelines from coastal and rural communities — build with measurable retention.Legacy mentorship and field-shaping standards — institutionalize through state and federal programs.
Also known as
152 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Abalone FishermanAlbacore Fishing Boat CrewmanAlligator HunterAlligator TrapperAnimal Bounty HunterAnimal Damage Control AgentAnimal TrapperBait ManBeachmanBird TrapperBlue CrabberBoat DeckhandBoat PullerBounty HunterBounty TrapperCarriage DoggerCarriage OperatorCarriage RiderCarriage SetterCat SwamperCatcherChaserChokerChummerClam DiggerClam DredgerClam PickerClam SorterClipperCommercial CrabberCommercial FisherCommercial FishermanCommercial Fishing Vessel OperatorCommercial Ocean ClammerCrab CatcherCrab FisherCrab FishermanCrabberCrew MemberCruiser