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Hatchery Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$67K - $82K/yr

Supervises maintenance assistants and technicians. * Within the maintenance section, assures implementation of the hatchery safety program and related functions. * Recommends procedures, techniques ...

$55K - $67K/yr

The Assistant Hatchery Manager position is available at the Armin F Koernig Hatchery (AFK) in the Prince William Sound. Located on Evans Island at the south-western entrance of the Prince William ...

$21.26/hr

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 ...

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Hatchery Assistant information

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How much do hatchery assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for hatchery assistant in the United States is $18.60, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.98 and $21.15 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

Hatchery assistants typically do not earn $10,000 a month without specialized skills or management responsibilities. High-paying jobs that can reach this level without a degree often include roles like sales managers, real estate brokers, or skilled trades such as electricians or plumbers, which may require certifications or experience. These positions usually involve significant experience, sales ability, or technical skills rather than formal degrees.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Hatchery Assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Hatchery Assistant, you need basic knowledge of fish or poultry biology, attention to detail, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with automated feeding systems, temperature control equipment, and data recording tools is typically required. Strong teamwork, reliability, and good communication skills are important soft skills that help with daily operations and problem-solving. These abilities ensure efficient hatchery operations, healthy stock management, and compliance with safety and quality standards.

What are some typical challenges a Hatchery Assistant might face during the busy spawning season?

During spawning season, Hatchery Assistants often encounter increased workloads and tight timelines, which require strong time management and attention to detail. Managing the delicate care of eggs and fry, monitoring water quality, and quickly identifying any signs of disease or stress in the fish can be demanding. Effective communication with team members is critical to ensure smooth operations, as tasks are frequently coordinated and interdependent. Staying organized and being adaptable are key to successfully navigating these seasonal challenges.

What is a hatchery assistant?

A hatchery assistant is a worker who helps with the incubation and care of eggs, often in poultry or fish hatcheries. Their tasks include monitoring temperature and humidity, handling eggs, and maintaining hatchery equipment to ensure successful hatching. The role may require physical stamina and basic knowledge of hatchery operations.

What jobs pay $400 an hour?

Jobs that pay $400 an hour are typically highly specialized roles such as experienced surgeons, top-tier legal professionals, certain executive consultants, or specialized financial advisors. These positions often require advanced education, extensive experience, and certifications, and they may involve high-pressure environments or private practice settings.

What are Hatchery Assistants?

Hatchery Assistants are entry-level workers who help with the daily operations of hatcheries, where fish, poultry, or other animals are bred and raised in controlled environments. Their duties often include monitoring eggs, cleaning equipment and tanks, feeding animals, recording data, and assisting with the health and welfare of the stock. They play a crucial role in ensuring young animals are properly cared for and that hatchery production runs smoothly. This job typically requires attention to detail, physical stamina, and a willingness to work in sometimes wet or noisy conditions.

How much does a hatchery assistant make?

The average hatchery assistant salary typically ranges from $25,000 to $35,000 per year, depending on experience, location, and the specific employer. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced assistants or those with specialized skills can earn higher wages. Some roles may also offer benefits such as health insurance and paid time off.
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What cities are hiring for Hatchery Assistant jobs? Cities with the most Hatchery Assistant job openings:
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Infographic showing various Hatchery Assistant job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 25% As Needed, 69% Contract, and 6% Nights. Highlights an 16% Physical, and 84% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $38,691 per year, or $18.6 per hour.

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 26 days ago


Job description

Position Title: Fish Hatchery Planner/Specialist
Department: Fish amp; Wildlife Program, Plummer, ID amp; Spokane, WA
Immediate Supervisor: Production Division Lead
Salary Range: D.O.E
The Coeur d’Alene Tribe is seeking applicants for a Fish Hatchery Planner to lead in the development of an anadromous and resident fish hatchery program. This position will build on work initiated by Tribal staff and consultants to develop goals and objectives for production, and to navigate and complete the three-step process outlined by the Northwest Power and Conservation Council. Upon completion of the three-step process, the position will be responsible for working with contractors and staff throughout the development and construction of the hatchery complex. Finally, the position will also be responsible for overseeing hatchery operations, supervising staff, managing fish culture activities, and adaptively managing hatchery operations to maximize success of operations and to meet established tribal goals for production and harvest.

During the planning phase, the position will be responsible for working with subcontractors to develop Hatchery Designs, a Hatchery Master Plan, Hatchery Genetics Management Plan, and Hatchery Research and Evaluation Plan, all of which must be approved by tribal leadership and cooperating federal action agencies. Upon construction of the hatchery and throughout operations, this position will be responsible for implementing the Hatchery Research amp; Evaluation Plan specific to the Coeur d’Alene Tribe’s aquaculture programs, and to implement adaptively managed operations based on results from the Evaluation Program. Long-term funding has been fully secured for this position.

Work performed will be under the direct supervision of the Anadromous Division Lead and in coordination with other Fisheries Program staff and the Fish and Wildlife Program Manager. Coordination with staff from partner tribes, private subcontractors, and federal and state agencies will also be necessary. Considerable latitude for independent judgement and action related to the program objectives shall be provided to the incumbent once comfort is gained with expertise and program familiarity.

Must have strong collaborative skills and the ability to adaptively manage production projects as new information is gathered throughout the duration of the program. Must be culturally sensitive to a diverse customer population and able to interact tactfully and positively with Tribal members, all levels of Tribal staff and management, and across multiple tribes with differing goals.

Must show the highest level of professional standards and promote a positive image of the Tribe and its administration at all times. Successful applicant will perform other duties as assigned to promote the efficiency and effectiveness of the Natural Resource Department. This position does not include supervisory responsibilities.

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities
Project Development
  • Develop a Bioprogram for anadromous and resident fish production based on hatchery locations and resources (water availability, water quality, etc.)
  • Develop a Hatchery Master Plan that considers long-term tribal goals and objectives for production and harvest of fisheries resources
  • Develop a Hatchery Genetics and Management Plan in coordination with NOAA Fisheries/NMFS for a new anadromous hatchery program
  • Develop/Adopt a Hatchery Research, Monitoring, and Evaluation Plan intended to assess production success and inform adaptive hatchery management and operations
  • Develop/Adopt a Harvest Monitoring Program
  • Assess potential aquaculture locations, including sites for the main hatchery complexes and acclimation sites
  • Develop a Fish Health and Genetics Program intended to support hatchery operations and inform hatchery evaluation
Project Operations
  • Oversee hatchery operations to ensure short term goals are met.
  • Adhere to an adaptive management framework to ensure long term goals are being met
  • Work directly with hatchery staff to implement aquaculture strategies that maximize adult returns and the overall fitness of fish and fisheries
Project Administration
  • Manage scope(s) of services identified in contracts that are necessary for hatchery development
  • Ensure contracts are fulfilled completely and timely
Research, Monitoring, and Evaluation
  • Implement a Hatchery Evaluation Program intended to track long-term productivity
  • Implement a Harvest Monitoring Program
  • Draft Research, Monitoring and Evaluation (RM amp;E) reports under the requirements defined by Tribal administrators and federal action agencies
  • Assist in gathering and entering data in the hatchery, field, laboratory, and within multiple regional databases (PTAGIS, RMIS, DART, etc).
  • Author peer-reviewed scientific and professional journal articles
Coordination
  • Coordinate directly with staff from Bonneville Power Administration and the Northwest Power and Conservation Council to complete the necessary steps for hatchery development and operations
  • Coordinate with staff from Coeur d’Alene Tribal Programs (i.e. Fish and Wildlife, Environmental, Culture, Water Resources, and Outreach) to ensure internal projects and objectives are supported
  • Work directly with subcontracted scientists and engineers on hatchery development and operations
  • Coordinate with federal and state agencies to manage access and operations of acclimation sites, if necessary
  • Coordinate with federal and state agencies to ensure hatchery operations, fish outplanting, and fish transport adhere to regional and federal regulations
  • Coordinate with Public Utility Districts at Mid-Columbia River hydro-projects and hatcheries
  • Engage in established workgroups specific to hatchery operations in the Columbia River basin (US v OR, NPCC, etc.)
  • Keep Tribal staff and administration informed of project schedules, major milestones, and project deliverables
Please Note: The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties and responsibilities does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the function.

Travel
  • Attend and present at (in person or remotely) aquaculture workgroups
  • Attend and present at (in person or remotely) professional conferences throughout the region, the United Sates, and internationally
  • Attend and participate (in person or remotely) in coordination meetings throughout the region, the United States, and internationally
Minimum Qualifying Education and Experience
  • A PhD from an accredited college or university in the application of natural resource or environmental sciences (Fisheries Science preferred) AND 36 months of associated experience
  • Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
  • Strong understanding of aquaculture
  • Understanding of Columbia River Fisheries management and the Federal CRSO
  • Understanding of salmon management in the basin including hatchery and natural production, ESA protections, and species (native and non-native) interactions
  • Strong professional writing, presenting and organizational skills
  • Ability to adaptively manage with new information and under new policy pressures
  • Ability to define research problems and determine extent and type of information needed
  • Ability to initiate, plan, and design independent experimental research and implement results of research findings
  • Ability to use statistical analytical software (SAS, R, SYSTAT, etc.)
  • Ability to operate and maintain aquaculture and field equipment
  • Ability to work in adverse weather conditions, often under long hours and multiple days
  • Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
  • Ability to work effectively in a diverse, cooperative, multi-agency and public work environment
Supervisory Responsibilities
  • This position will require the supervision of multiple staff, especially after aquaculture programs are in operation.
Location
  • This position requires the employee to work from a Coeur d’Alene Tribal office. The Tribe has offices in Plummer, ID, Coeur d’Alene, ID, and in Spokane, WA. The preferred location for this position is in Plummer, ID and Spokane, WA. Remote work is unavailable for this position.
Benefits
The Coeur d’Alene Tribe offers one of the most generous benefits packages of any employer in the region and includes:
  • Employer paid (fully) medical, dental and vision insurance, extending to spouse and dependents
  • Disability and Life Insurance
  • 401K retirement (100% matching up to 10%)
  • Flexible spending account
  • Free access to Marimn Health Wellness Center including full gym, pool and exercise facilities
  • Generous paid time-off policy
  • Paid holidays (Federal and Tribal)
Tribal Employment Policy
An applicant may be asked to participate in an interview to establish whether they meet minimum qualifications. Interviews do not create a right to employment and provide no promise or other guarantee of any employment position within the Tribe.
The Coeur d’Alene Tribe reserves the right to hire according to its Indian Preference Policy. Positions with the Coeur d’Alene Tribe are subject to a 6-month probationary period.