Also called: At-Sea Processor, Fish Processor (Alaska)
Works on a huge fishing ship in Alaska, cleaning, filleting, and freezing fish right at sea.
Processors work 12-hour shifts for weeks at sea, running fish through filleting machines, packing frozen blocks, and loading the hold. Room and food are free, so many save a lot of money.
Earnings depend on contract length and production bonuses.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
No formal education, about 0 years after high school. No experience required; companies train new workers.
Ways in: On-the-job training. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Growing faster than average (about 5% over 10 years). BLS 2025-35 projection band for SOC 51-3022: Faster than average (5% to 6%).
Medium risk for 10 years. Better filleting and freezing machines are cutting crews, but at-sea factories still need many hands.
Age 18+. One way to start: Apply to Seattle-based factory trawler companies; expect a drug test and physical before your first trip First: Company drug test and physical; some companies need a Merchant Mariner Credential
Classes: Physical education, Health, Shop class.
Official data: O*NET occupation 51-3022.
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