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Fish Culturist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corporation

$21.26/hr

Description The Fish Culturist II is a regular, full-time position with benefits. Position is available at the remote, off-grid facility, Main Bay Hatchery (MBH), located about 1 hour southeast of ...

Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corporation

$18.96/hr

Description The Fish Culturist I is a regular, full-time position with benefits. Position is available at the remote, off-grid facility, Wally Noerenberg Hatchery (WNH). The position requires living ...

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Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corporation

$18.96/hr

Description The Fish Culturist I is a regular, full-time position with benefits. Position is available at the remote, off-grid facility, Main Bay Hatchery (MBH). The position requires living and ...

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How much do fish culturist jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for fish culturist in the United States is $17.73, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.11 and $19.23 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What degree do you need to be a fish culturist?

A fish culturist typically needs at least a bachelor's degree in biology, aquaculture, fisheries science, or a related field. Relevant skills include knowledge of aquatic ecosystems, fish breeding, and water quality management, and some positions may require certifications or practical experience in aquaculture practices.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Fish Culturist position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Fish Culturist, you need a strong background in aquatic biology, fish husbandry, water quality management, and often an associate or bachelor's degree in a related field. Familiarity with water testing kits, hatchery equipment, and computer-based recordkeeping systems is typically required, along with any industry-specific certifications. Attention to detail, problem-solving, teamwork, and effective communication are crucial soft skills in this role. These qualifications and skills are vital for maintaining healthy fish populations, optimizing operations, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and environmental best practices.

What jobs pay 2000 a day?

Fish Culturists typically do not earn $2000 a day; such high daily earnings are usually associated with specialized roles like high-level consultants, surgeons, or executives. Most jobs in fish culture or aquaculture pay hourly or salaried wages below this level, though experienced professionals with advanced skills or ownership of large operations may reach higher daily incomes.

What does a typical workday look like for a Fish Culturist?

A typical day for a Fish Culturist involves monitoring fish health and growth, maintaining water quality parameters, feeding and caring for fish stock, and cleaning tanks or ponds to create the best environment for aquatic species. You'll also record data, help with breeding and spawning processes, and may coordinate with biologists, facility managers, or regulatory agencies. The work is often hands-on and can involve both indoor and outdoor tasks, sometimes in varying weather conditions. Collaboration with a team is common, especially during large-scale projects or harvest periods, making adaptability and strong communication highly valued. This variety ensures an engaging role with continuous opportunities to learn and advance in the aquaculture field.

What is the highest paid fishing job?

The highest paid fishing jobs are often in commercial fishing, such as deep-sea or offshore fishing, where workers can earn substantial wages, especially with experience and specialized skills. Positions like fishing captains or vessel owners also tend to have higher earnings, but they require significant investment and expertise. Salaries vary based on location, vessel size, and catch value.

What jobs pay 10,000 a month without a degree?

A Fish Culturist typically does not earn $10,000 a month without specialized experience or advanced skills. High-paying jobs without a degree often include roles such as sales managers, real estate brokers, or skilled trades like electricians and commercial pilots, which may require certifications or extensive training. These positions usually involve experience, certifications, or licensing rather than formal degrees.

What is a Fish Culturist job?

A Fish Culturist is responsible for breeding, raising, and caring for fish in hatcheries or aquaculture facilities. They monitor water quality, feed fish, prevent diseases, and ensure optimal growing conditions. Fish Culturists may also assist with stocking programs to support natural fish populations or commercial fish production. Their work is essential for fisheries management, conservation efforts, and the seafood industry.

More about Fish Culturist jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Fish Culturist jobs? The most popular types of Fish Culturist jobs are:
What states have the most Fish Culturist jobs? States with the most job openings for Fish Culturist jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Fish Culturist jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Fish Culturist jobs are:
Fish Culturist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Fish Culturist job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $36,881 per year, or $17.7 per hour.
Fish Culturist II (Offgrid Hatchery) - MBH

Fish Culturist II (Offgrid Hatchery) - MBH

Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corporation

On-site

$21.26/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 2 days ago

Job description

Description
The Fish Culturist II is a regular, full-time position with benefits. Position is available at the remote, off-grid facility, Main Bay Hatchery (MBH), located about 1 hour southeast of Whittier, AK by boat. The Main Bay Hatchery is a sockeye salmon facility that releases approximately 10-11 million smolt every year.
BENEFITS
  • Health/Vision/Dental Insurance (no monthly premium cost)
  • Life Insurance (no monthly cost)
  • 100% employee vested 403(b) Retirement Plan, 6% employer match after 1 yr of service
  • 5+ Weeks Annual Leave
  • Annual Leave Travel Assistance
  • Work Wear Allowance
  • Relocation Assistance
  • Employer-Provided Housing

Position Title: Fish Culturist II
Category: Full time, Regular
Payroll Classification: Hourly, Non-exempt
Organizational Unit: Hatchery Operations
Location: Remote (off-grid), Hatchery or Field Station
Customary Work Hours: Variable, Based on 40-hour workweek (infrequent overtime)
Wage Range: $21.26 - 28.63/hour Determined Based on Experience
Basic Function: Fish Culturist II functions as part of the hatchery operations team in the cultivating and rearing of fish. Under supervision, initiates, supervises and performs complex professional or technical field, laboratory, or office work, or directs major segments in various phases of hatchery operations. Independent judgment is exercised with written procedural approaches and only unique and complex situations referred to the supervisor.
Distinguishing Characteristics: This class is the senior working level of the fish culturist series. Incumbents perform a variety of complex fish culturist tasks and may act as the technical project leader of a hatchery project. Independent judgment and performance is exercised in initiating and/or implementing hatchery projects, processes and schedules. Incumbents may supervise technical personnel.
Fish Culturist II is distinguished from the I level in that incumbents manage hatchery projects and serve as acting manager of the hatchery in the absence of the Hatchery Manager and the Assistant Manager.
Description of duties and tasks:
  • Fish propagation: Enumerating, caring, killing, spawning and disposing of carcasses; preparing, cleaning and maintaining incubator; monitoring and maintaining water quality; loading, enumerating, picking and caring for egg/alevin; rearing, enumerating and setting up outmigration of fry; perform other general duties associated with fish culture operations.
  • Fish Harvest: Preparing, repairing and maintaining harvest equipment; loading, transporting, caring for and unloading harvest pens; collecting and recording fish harvest management data.
  • Prepares feeding and rearing schedules based on calculated growth rates; prepares feed; supervises and/ or performs necessary feeding activities.
  • Establishes fish loading densities, oxygen delivery levels, and water temperature control measures for the transport of fish via specialized containers.
  • Supervises and participates in egg-taking, egg care, otolith marking, and outmigration operations that meet prescribed performance standards.
  • Maintains and adjusts calculated quantities, temperatures, and dissolved gas levels of water supplies to provide desired quality, quantity, and temperature to incubation and rearing units. Takes water samples. Cleans water and bacterial filters, ponds, troughs, tanks, incubators, screens, and work areas.
  • Analyzes data, facts, and information, and draws logical conclusions. Performs data entry or analysis using computers and software.
  • Performs gross examination of fish for diseases or nutritional disorders and reports results.
  • Operates and adjusts hatchery apparatus such as pressurized water filters, automatic fish feeders, electronic egg and fish counters, electronic measuring devices, and ultraviolet and ozone depuration equipment.
  • Assists higher level operations staff in conducting various biological studies such as rearing, ecology observations, lake surveys, and marked fish recovery.
  • Takes samples from commercial fisheries catches for data on species, size, age and sex composition; collects scales, otoliths, ovaries or other biological specimens, scale mounting.
  • Performs simple functions in the areas of personnel, procurement and supply to maintain a steady workflow for daily scheduled tasks.
  • Assists Hatchery Manager in the area of supply procurement and quarterly ordering as it applies to project budgets.
  • Recommends procedures, techniques and new equipment to improve work efficiencies or adaptation to new techniques.
  • Effectively interacts with public and directs inquiries to appropriate department or persons.
  • Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • Knowledge of fish hatchery operations and procedures.
  • Principles and practices of aquaculture, collection and care of aquatic biological specimens.
  • Fish life in Alaska, including the kinds, distribution and importance of various species, their habitats and requirements.
  • Methods of preparing fisheries development and improvement projects.
  • Data processing equipment.
  • Principles of planning, organizing and/ or conducting research.
  • Ability to perform physically demanding work.
  • Do routine maintenance and care of tools and equipment and make minor repairs.
  • Analyze biological data, facts of information and draw logical conclusions.
  • Conduct studies by analyzing and evaluating results and preparing reports.
  • Understand and carry out detailed technical instructions.
  • Understand and follow written and oral instructions.
  • Operate laboratory equipment, perform routine laboratory tests and maintain records.
  • Train and lead lower level technicians.
  • Meet and assist the public courteously.

Essential Functions: Work performed at any hatchery or remote location as needed. Must be able to move about freely; work outdoors in all weather conditions; ability to lift and carry 50 pounds; ability to climb stairs and ladders; ability to climb aboard and about vessels and small aircraft; work around water - on docks and floats; use telephones and computers unimpaired. Must be able to read, write, speak and understand the English language. Must be able to hear and see to receive verbal and written instructions.
Disclaimer: Duties and responsibilities described are not a comprehensive list, and additional tasks may be assigned from time to time. The scope of the job may change as necessitated by business demands.
Requirements
Minimum Requirements
  1. Bachelor's degree from an accredited college with a major in fisheries science or a closely related field
  2. One year of experience as an advanced level fish and wildlife technician or aide or Fish Culturist I.
  3. Must have a current driver's license

Substitutions:
  • A post-graduate degree in a fisheries related field or in aquaculture or mariculture will substitute for the one year of experience as an advanced level fish and wildlife technician or aide or Fish Culturist I.
  • An Associates of Science or Associates of Applied Science degrees in the areas of aquaculture, biology, fisheries, wildlife, or marine technologies and 2 years of experience as an advanced level fish and wildlife technician or aide or Fish Culturist I will substitute for the required Bachelor's degree.

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