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Fish Hatchery Jobs in Oregon (NOW HIRING)

Rock Creek Hatchery Shift : 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Duties include, but are not limited to: * Clipping adipose fins off hatchery fish * Cleaning up workspace for shift change * Tagging fish as needed * All ...

Fish Hatchery information

See Oregon salary details

$3K

$5.5K

$9.5K

How much do fish hatchery jobs pay per month?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average monthly pay for fish hatchery in Oregon is $5,497.50, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $3,525.00 and $6,566.67 per month, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a fish hatchery technician, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Fish Hatchery Technician, you need knowledge of aquatic biology, fish husbandry, and environmental science, often supported by a degree or relevant work experience. Familiarity with water quality testing equipment, feeding systems, and hatchery management software is commonly required. Attention to detail, problem-solving, and strong teamwork make someone stand out in this position. These skills ensure the health of fish populations, efficient hatchery operations, and compliance with environmental regulations.

What is the difference between Fish Hatchery vs Fish Biologist?

AspectFish HatcheryFish Biologist
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles may require technical certificationsBachelor's degree in biology, ecology, or related field; advanced roles may require a master's or PhD
Work EnvironmentFish farms, hatchery facilities, outdoor settingsResearch labs, field sites, aquatic environments
Employer & Industry UsageGovernment agencies, aquaculture companies, conservation programsResearch institutions, government agencies, environmental organizations

While both roles involve working with fish, a Fish Hatchery focuses on breeding, raising, and releasing fish in controlled environments, often for conservation or commercial purposes. A Fish Biologist conducts research, studies fish populations, and develops conservation strategies. The two roles share some credentials and work environments but differ in their primary focus and responsibilities.

What is a fish hatchery?

Fish hatcheries are specialized facilities where fish are bred, hatched, and raised during their early life stages before being released into natural bodies of water or stocked for aquaculture. Their main goal is to support the conservation of fish populations, enhance recreational fishing opportunities, or provide fish for commercial purposes. Hatcheries play a crucial role in maintaining sustainable fish populations and helping to restore endangered or depleted species.

What are the qualifications to work in a fish hatchery?

The primary qualifications for fish hatchery jobs depend on the position. For example, if you want to manage a hatchery, expect employers to ask for a bachelor's degree in a relevant aquatic field and several years of experience with fish culture, including knowledge of sampling techniques and data collection. If you want to operate and maintain equipment, companies usually look for an associate degree from a technical college, one to two years of experience, and the ability to determine facility needs to meet production goals. Some companies are willing to accept additional experience in lieu of a college degree. Fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of a fish hatchery job requires excellent interpersonal and communication skills as well as the ability to work in a variety of weather conditions.

What are some common challenges faced by fish hatchery technicians, and how can they be managed on the job?

Fish hatchery technicians often contend with challenges such as maintaining optimal water quality, preventing disease outbreaks among fish populations, and managing seasonal fluctuations in workload. Addressing these issues typically involves closely monitoring environmental parameters, following strict biosecurity protocols, and working collaboratively with other team members to ensure the health and productivity of the hatchery. Strong organizational skills and adaptability are essential, as daily tasks may change based on the needs of the fish stock and hatchery operations.
What are the most commonly searched types of Fish Hatchery jobs in Oregon? The most popular types of Fish Hatchery jobs in Oregon are:
What are popular job titles related to Fish Hatchery jobs in Oregon? For Fish Hatchery jobs in Oregon, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Fish Hatchery jobs in Oregon look for? The top searched job categories for Fish Hatchery jobs in Oregon are:
What cities in Oregon are hiring for Fish Hatchery jobs? Cities in Oregon with the most Fish Hatchery job openings:
Infographic showing various Fish Hatchery job openings in Oregon as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $65,970 per year, or $31.7 per hour.

Biological Science Technician (Fish)

US Department of the Interior

Klamath Falls, OR • On-site

$45K/yr

Full-time, Part-time

Posted 5 days ago


U.S. Department Of The Interior rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 14 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

413th of 844 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

You will serve as a Biological Science Technician (Fish) with US Fish and Wildlife Service at the Klamath Falls Fish and Wildlife office, located in Klamath Falls, OR.

GS-06 - $45,409 - $59,031
GS-07 - $50,460 - $65,599

Pay will vary based on grade level for which you're selected.

Qualifications:Qualifications:
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 08/18/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Competitive candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of specialized experience that you will be granted. An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the work schedule requirement as the service dates will be reflected. For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, your resume must state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience.

Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications:
To qualify for this position at the GS-06 grade level:
Experience: To qualify, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: (1) performing work at a fish hatchery checking water quality, feeding fish, cleaning tanks, and treating fish diseases; (2) handling, tagging, and transporting juvenile and adult fish; (3) performing maintenance to equipment, facility infrastructure, and mowing and trimming facility grounds; and (4) entering, organizing, and performing QA/QC on hatchery data. You must include hours per week worked. -OR-
Education: Successful completion of at least one full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related to the position (e.g., major study of fish biology, aquaculture or fish culture, limnology, ichthyology, etc.). You must include transcripts. -OR-
Combination of education (directly related to the position) and experience as listed above that totals 100% of the requirement. You must include hours per week on your resume and transcripts.

To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level:
Experience: To qualify, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-06 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: (1) performing work at a fish hatchery checking water quality, feeding fish, cleaning tanks, and identifying fish pathogens, calculating dosages, and treating fish diseases; (2) leading pond harvest efforts, running fish tagging stations, and independently transporting juvenile and adult fish; (3) leading maintenance efforts to care for hatchery fleet, gear, grounds, and specialized water quality and laboratory equipment, including record keeping and maintaining adequate inventories of needed supplies on hand for staff use; (4) using specialized computer applications to enter, organize, and perform preliminary analysis of data from studies; and (5) assisting biologists and managers draft sections of progress reports, technical reports, briefing papers, and presentations to communicate scientific information.. You must include hours per week worked. -OR-
Education: Successful completion of at least one full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related to the position (e.g., major study of fish biology, aquaculture or fish culture, limnology, ichthyology, etc.). You must include transcripts. -OR-
Combination of education (directly related to the position) and experience as listed above that totals 100% of the requirement. You must include hours per week on your resume and transcripts.
Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.Education:You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include your name, school name, grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, and date the degree was conferred, if applicable. A typed list of courses, grades, semester/quarter hours, GPA, etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not qualified for the position. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.
Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualificationsEmployment Type: OTHER

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