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Seafood Processing Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Cleaning and Sanitizing Meat or Seafood Company processing area and equipment. * Mixing and working with caustic chemicals for cleaning and sanitizing. Often diluting concentrated chemicals.

1st Shift Packer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$17.50/hr

Santa Monica Seafood, as an 80-year-old privately owned company, is the largest specialty wholesale distribution and processor of fresh and frozen seafood in the Southwestern U.S. with over 200,000 ...

1st Shift Packer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$17.50/hr

Santa Monica Seafood, as an 80-year-old privately owned company, is the largest specialty wholesale distribution and processor of fresh and frozen seafood in the Southwestern U.S. with over 200,000 ...

... seafood processing plants. · Inspects equipment to detect or determine any issues or malfunctions. · Troubleshoots mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic and electronic control systems to ...

Chef de Cuisine

Chicago, IL · On-site

$70K - $90K/yr

About US RPM Seafood features the truest expression of the world's best fish and seafood paired ... Lead the opening shift process as well as including food orders, inventory and price updates ...

Chef de Cuisine

Chicago, IL · On-site

$70K - $90K/yr

About US RPM Seafood features the truest expression of the world's best fish and seafood paired ... Lead the opening shift process as well as including food orders, inventory and price updates ...

Meat & Seafood Team Members are responsible for providing customers with exceptional service. S/he ... processes and procedures. * Journeyman cutter or apprenticeship program completion is strongly ...

Meat & Seafood Team Members are responsible for providing customers with exceptional service. S/he ... processes and procedures. * Journeyman cutter or apprenticeship program completion is strongly ...

Meat & Seafood Team Members are responsible for providing customers with exceptional service. S/he ... processes and procedures. * Journeyman cutter or apprenticeship program completion is strongly ...

Meat & Seafood Team Members are responsible for providing customers with exceptional service. S/he ... processes and procedures. * Journeyman cutter or apprenticeship program completion is strongly ...

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Seafood Processing information

See Illinois salary details

$10

$17

$25

How much do seafood processing jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for seafood processing in Illinois is $17.34, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.38 and $17.26 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the typical working conditions like for a seafood processing job?

Seafood Processing roles usually involve working in refrigerated environments to keep seafood fresh and safe for consumption, which can mean standing for long periods in cool or wet areas. Most shifts are structured to ensure proper workflow, and teams often work closely together on assembly lines or at designated workstations. Protective gear, such as gloves and aprons, is provided to safeguard employees. While the work can be physically demanding, many facilities emphasize safety, regular breaks, and a supportive team atmosphere. If you’re comfortable working in these conditions and enjoy a steady-paced environment, you’ll likely find seafood processing to be a rewarding role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed for a seafood processing job?

To thrive in Seafood Processing, candidates need attention to detail, manual dexterity, and basic food safety knowledge, often supported by a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with processing equipment, weighing scales, and food handling certifications such as HACCP are commonly expected. Strong teamwork, reliability, and the ability to work efficiently in cold or wet environments are key soft skills for this position. These skills and qualities are crucial to ensure safe, high-quality products and to maintain productivity in a fast-paced, physically demanding setting.

What is a seafood processing job?

A seafood processing job involves cleaning, cutting, packaging, and preserving seafood products for distribution. Workers may operate machinery, remove bones and shells, or sort seafood by size and quality. The role often requires standing for long hours in cold environments. It is a crucial part of the seafood industry to ensure fresh, high-quality products reach consumers.

What are popular job titles related to Seafood Processing jobs in Illinois? For Seafood Processing jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Seafood Processing jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for Seafood Processing jobs in Illinois are:
Infographic showing various Seafood Processing job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $36,058 per year, or $17.3 per hour.

Sanitation Associate (5AM start)

Sysco

Hampshire, IL

$15.67 - $23.46/hr

Full-time

Posted 16 days ago


Sysco rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 321 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

121st of 361 rated logistics


Job description

Job Summary:

Perform plant cleaning and sanitation and sanitation related inspection/audit procedures (monitoring documentation and environmental sampling) to ensure compliance of the production environment to corporate and regulatory sanitation requirements at a Sysco Specialty Meat Group (SSMG) location.  This includes daily cleaning and sanitation to prepare for routine operations or ongoing operations as assigned.  Perform line implementation in accordance with regulatory agency directions including CFIA/FSIS/FDA/State/Local authorities relative to sanitation.

Perform daily Cleaning and Sanitizing tasks associated with:

  • HACCP Program
  • Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures
  • Pest Control
  • Good Manufacturing Practices
  • Chemical Control

OCCASIONAL/MARGINAL JOB DUTIES:  Provide assistance when necessary for plant audits to assist other staff members. Assist as needed in any manner capable of during emergency situations the plant President or GM determines are paramount to the business

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Cleaning and Sanitizing Meat or Seafood Company processing area and equipment.
  • Mixing and working with caustic chemicals for cleaning and sanitizing.  Often diluting concentrated chemicals.
  • Inspecting the processing area for cleanliness and proper sanitation as well as implementing bacterial and organic material testing to determine cleanliness of the processing area and equipment.  
  • Paperwork documenting cleaning and sanitizing of the processing area.  Paperwork is subject to federal regulatory review for noncompliance as well as FSQA program compliance.

Education Preferred:

  • High School Preferred

Experience Required:

  • One to three years Sanitation work in a Meat or Seafood or other Food Manufacturing facility.

Experience Preferred:

  • Three plus years performing cleaning and sanitizing of a federal raw meat or seafood processing plant.  Preference given to those who also have experience with ready to eat processing facilities.

Technical Skills and Abilities:

  • Write and read English is preferred.
  • Must be able to complete paperwork documenting cleaning and sanitizing of the facility. 
  • Knowledge of processing equipment and its breakdown for cleaning and sanitizing. 
  • Basic knowledge of industrial cleaning and sanitizing equipment. 
  • Must be able to add, subtract, multiply and divide.
  • Must be able to complete basic paperwork in English.

Physical Demands:

  • Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls.  The employee is often required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.
  • The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
  • Activities may require lifting of products up to 100 pounds and requires working in a production environment on a moving line, lifting cartons, washing and cleaning equipment and the facility as well as visual inspection. Corrected vision required for sensory analysis to identify color, clarity.  Warehouse and plant activities also require close and distance vision to judge GMPs; peripheral vision and depth perception mandatory for safety.

Work Environment:

  • Cold and Damp Meat or Seafood Processing Area

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