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Fish Culturist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Fish Culturist I

House, NM · On-site

$56K - $63K/yr

Job Requisition Number JR103710 Fish Culturist I (Open) Pay Grade C00321 A Classification Fish Culturist I Class Definition GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: Within the Department of Environmental ...

-----Announcement # 2026-162 Issue Date: 08-17-26 Closing Date: 09-04-26 Fish Culturist II Fisheries Resource Management (FRM) Department of Natural Resources Hourly Wage: $15.74-$17.72/Regular/Full-Time ...

Under the general supervision of a Fish Culturist 3 or 4, incumbent will maintain and clear raceways and ponds; feed fish; monitor fish health and provide treatments; load, deliver, and stock fish ...

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How much do fish culturist jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 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 is a fish culturist?

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.

What does a fish culturist do?

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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a fish culturist?

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 degree do you need to be a fish culturist?

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

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:

Infographic showing various Fish Culturist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, and 21% Part Time. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $36,881 per year, or $17.7 per hour.

$56K - $63K/yr

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago


State Of Rhode Island rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 24 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

17th of 50 rated states


Job description

Department
Department of Environmental ManagementDivision
Environmental ServicesSalary
$56,157.00 - $63,156.00Job Profile
JC-02225200-13 - Fish Culturist I (C94 L2881 DOA IT DEM)Scheduled Work Days & Work Hours
The primary job location for this job posting will be Carolina Fish Hatchery.
Required knowledge, skills, and capacities
A working knowledge of aquaculture and the growing and maintaining of fish; a working knowledge of hatchery operations, policies and regulations dealing with the maintenance and distribution of fish in State waters; a working knowledge of fish culture operations and techniques; a working knowledge of maintaining and documenting hatchery activities; a working knowledge of various species of cold water, warm water and anadromous species including trout and Atlantic salmon; a working knowledge of the state laws pertaining to the operation of motor vehicles; the ability to follow directions, procedures, and schedules as assigned; the ability to operate heavy motorized equipment the ability to make ordinary emergency repairs to the motorized equipment; the ability to make ordinary emergency repairs to the motorized equipment; and related capacities and abilities.
Job Requisition Number
JR103710 Fish Culturist I (Open)Pay Grade
C00321 AClassification
Fish Culturist IClass Definition
GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: Within the Department of Environmental Management, to participate in the culture, maintenance and distribution of cool water, warm water and anadromous hatchery fish; to spawn and monitor development of eggs and fry, and to implement feeding schedules required for specified growth rates; and to do related duties as required.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Works under the general supervision of a superior who makes general and specific assignments; work may be reviewed for conformance to federal and state laws, regulations and departmental policies.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Usually none; as needed, may provide guidance to seasonal employees and interns.
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED:
  • Within the Department of Environmental Management, to participate in the culture, maintenance and distribution of cool water, warm water and anadromous hatchery fish.
  • To spawn and monitor development of eggs and fry, and to implement feeding schedules required for specified growth rates.
  • To participate in netting, sorting, grading, weighing, feeding, egg handling, sampling, inspecting, extracting, fertilization, hatching, testing, incubating and rearing practices and procedures.
  • To participate in fish stocking and to track hatchery inventory of various species.
  • To help in maintaining records and contributing to reports, documenting hatchery activities such as fish diseases, treatments, and production studies.
  • To perform semi-skilled construction and maintenance work in the hatchery buildings and grounds.
  • To maintain all fish rearing structures and buildings as well as to perform landscaping tasks, road repairs, snow plowing, repair of hatchery equipment, and maintain safety equipment and facility structures.
  • To load and stock fish as instructed.
  • To participate in educational and/or outreach programs for the Division; to conduct tours and educate the public as necessary.
  • To provide guidance to seasonal employees and interns as required.
  • To do related work as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS FOR APPOINTMENT:
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND CAPACITIES: A working knowledge of aquaculture and the growing and maintaining of fish; a working knowledge of hatchery operations, policies and regulations dealing with the maintenance and distribution of fish in State waters; a working knowledge of fish culture operations and techniques; a working knowledge of maintaining and documenting hatchery activities; a working knowledge of various species of cold water, warm water and anadromous species including trout and Atlantic salmon; a working knowledge of the state laws pertaining to the operation of motor vehicles; the ability to follow directions, procedures, and schedules as assigned; the ability to operate heavy motorized equipment the ability to make ordinary emergency repairs to the motorized equipment; the ability to make ordinary emergency repairs to the motorized equipment; and related capacities and abilities.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Education: Such as may have been gained through: an Associate's Degree in fish culture, fisheries and/or a related discipline; and
Experience: Such as may have been gained through: at least one (1) year of employment in fish production and/or a related discipline.
Or any combination of education and experience that shall be substantially equivalent to the above education and experience.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
At the time of appointment (or as specified) and continually thereafter:
1. Must be physically qualified to perform assigned duties as evidence by a physician's certificate. Must be capable of lifting heavy loads of 50+ lbs.
2. Within six (6) months of appointment, must possess and maintain a Hoisting License issued by the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training.
Supplemental Information
Benefits
For information regarding the benefits available to State of Rhode Island employees, please visit the Office of Employee Benefits' website at http://www.employeebenefits.ri.gov/.
Also, be advised that a new provision in RI General Law 35-6-1 was enacted requiring direct deposit for all employees. Specific to new hires, the law requires that all employees hired after September 30, 2014 participate in direct deposit. Accordingly, any employee hired after this date will be required to participate in the direct deposit system. At the time the employee is hired, the employee shall identify a financial institution that will serve as a personal depository agency for the employee.

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