- Salary statistics
- Yrkesfiskare
Yrkesfiskare
Naturbruk
What does a professional fisherman do? – Tasks and work environment
A professional fisherman works with catching fish and other marine organisms for sale or processing. Tasks include planning fishing trips, handling and maintaining fishing gear, and sorting and storing the catch properly. A significant part of the work takes place at sea or on lakes, often early mornings and sometimes at night depending on season and fish species. The work environment is physically demanding, often in challenging weather conditions, requiring good physical fitness and safety awareness. In addition to fishing, administrative work, sales, and sometimes basic machinery maintenance are included.
Salary development over time
The salary for a professional fisherman is currently unknown, as there is a lack of reliable data on average salary, hourly wage, and salary trends over the past three years. This is because the profession is often operated as self-employment, where income can vary greatly depending on catch, season, and market prices. No clear trends have been reported, but generally, conditions for fishermen have been affected by factors such as fishing quotas, environmental regulations, and changes in demand for fish products. These uncertainties make it difficult to provide an exact forecast of salary development over time.
Professional fisherman salary – complete overview
- Average salary: 0 SEK/month
- Lowest/Highest salary: No reliable statistics
- Hourly wage: 0 SEK/hour (based on 166 working hours/month)
- Gender differences: No data
- Regional differences: No data
Education and qualifications
To work as a professional fisherman, usually no formal higher education is required, but there are vocational programs in natural resource management or folk high schools with a focus on fishing and water management. Practical experience and knowledge of maritime safety, navigation, and machinery maintenance are crucial for success in the profession. Many fishermen have also completed specialized courses to obtain necessary certificates, such as for operating vessels or handling fishing gear.
- High school education: Natural resource management program with a focus on fishing (3 years)
- Certificates: Boat captain class VIII, machinery operator class VIII
- Internship: Often conducted on fishing vessels during training
- Courses: Maritime safety, navigation, and first aid
- Prerequisites: Basic swimming skills and good physical health
Many professional fishermen run their own family businesses, where knowledge and tradition are often passed down through generations. Combining practical work with entrepreneurship is common, as well as diversifying activities with, for example, tourism or small-scale fish processing.
Common benefits and compensations
Among fishermen, benefits often vary depending on employment type and whether the operation is self-employed. Traditional employee benefits are often absent, but some workers may have access to boats, protective gear, and sometimes bonuses based on catch. Insurance and pension contributions are important to arrange independently when operating on your own.
Competition and challenges
Today, fishermen face strong competition from other fishermen and imported fish products. Stricter regulations, reduced quotas, and increased environmental demands have made it harder to operate profitably. Climate change and overfishing also affect the availability of certain species. The profession requires a high degree of personal responsibility, financial foresight, and the ability to adapt to rapid market changes. Despite these challenges, opportunities still exist for those who are committed and willing to work hard.
Tips for aspiring professional fishermen
To succeed as a fisherman, having a genuine interest in nature and the sea, along with a strong work ethic, is beneficial. Endurance and stress resistance are helpful during long workdays and in tough weather conditions. Initiative and independence are important qualities, especially for those wanting to run their own business or make quick decisions onboard. Gaining practical experience early, such as through summer jobs or internships, and building knowledge in maritime safety and machinery maintenance is wise. Networking with others in the industry can also provide valuable contacts and insights, facilitating both entry and development in the profession.
Key facts about professional fishermen
- Education level: High school or equivalent vocational training
- Work environment: Outdoors, often at sea and in varying weather
- Typical employment: Self-employed or employed at small companies
- Job availability: 360 within the profession according to latest statistics
Career paths and future prospects
After 3–5 years in the profession, a fisherman can become a boat owner, supervisor, or run their own fishing business. Some choose to further educate themselves in areas such as aquaculture, marine biology, or fish processing. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, there is no detailed forecast for the future in this profession, but opportunities remain due to the needs of the Swedish fishing industry. However, future prospects are influenced by political decisions, environmental requirements, and changes in consumer demand. Diversifying activities and adapting to new conditions can be crucial for long-term success.
Frequently asked questions about professional fishermen
- What does a professional fisherman earn?
- There is no reliable statistics on the salary of professional fishermen, as incomes vary greatly and are often based on self-employment and catch size. - What education is required to become a professional fisherman?
- High school education in natural resource management with a focus on fishing is common, but practical experience and certificates in maritime safety and navigation are often also needed. - What is the work environment like for a professional fisherman?
- The work environment is physically demanding, outdoors and often at sea, requiring high safety awareness and endurance. - Are there many job opportunities for professional fishermen?
- Currently, there are about 360 available jobs within the profession according to recent statistics. - What personal qualities are important for a professional fisherman?
- Endurance, independence, initiative, and an interest in nature and the sea are especially valuable qualities in the profession. - How do environmental regulations and fishing quotas affect the profession?
- Stricter regulations and reduced quotas impact profitability and require fishermen to continuously adapt their operations.
Salary distributed by age and sector
About the data
All information displayed on this page is based on data from the Swedish Central Bureau of Statistics (SCB), the Swedish Tax Agency and the Swedish employment agency. Learn more about our data and data sources here.
All figures are gross salaries, meaning salaries before tax. The average salary, or mean salary, is calculated by adding up the total salary for all individuals within the profession and dividing it by the number of individuals. For specific job categories, we have also considered various criteria such as experience and education.
Profession Yrkesfiskare has the SSYK code 6222, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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