National Occupational Classification (NOC): 83121
Fast Facts
- Average Pay: N/A
- Future Growth: N/A
- Skill Level: N/A
- Employment Size: N/A
- Unemployment: N/A
- Full-time Share: N/A
Sample Job Titles
- Fisherman/woman
- Fishing vessel skipper
- Inshore fisherman/woman
- Lobster fisherman/woman
- Longliner fisherman/woman
- Scallop dredger
- Seiner fisherman/woman
- Shellfish fisherman/woman
- Trap boss - fishing
What do fishermen/women do?
Fishermen/women operate fishing vessels less than 100 gross tonnes to pursue and land fish and other marine life. They are usually self-employed owner-operators of fishing vessels.
Fishermen/women perform some or all of the following duties:
- Operate fishing vessel to pursue and catch fish and other marine life
- Select area for fishing, plot courses and compute navigational positions using compasses and charts or electronic fishing aids
- Steer vessel and operate navigational instruments
- Operate fishing gear, direct fishing operation and supervise fishing crew members
- Maintain engine, fishing gear and other on-board equipment
- Record fishing activities, weather and sea conditions
- Estimate costs of operations and plan budget for each fishing season
- Establish fish marketing plan and keep records of all financial transactions
- May transport fish to processing plants or fish buyers.
Source: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021, Employment and Social Development Canada
Fishermen/women work in the following subsectors (NAICS) in Newfoundland and Labrador:
- 114 Fishing, hunting and trapping
- 311 Food manufacturing
Source: Census 2021, Statistics Canada
Short and Long Term Occupational Projections
Short Term Projections for 2025-2027
The employment outlook will be moderate for fishermen/women in Newfoundland and Labrador (rating of 3 out of 5) for the 2025-2027 period.
Source: Job Bank, Government of Canada
Number of Job Posting in 2025
During 2025, there were 0 public job postings for this occupation, with the following distribution:
| Avalon: 0% | Western: 0% |
| Eastern: 0% | Labrador: 0% |
| Central: 0% | NL-unspecified: 0% |
Source: Vicinity Jobs (note: data used in this analysis reflects new unique monthly postings which are totaled for the calendar year).
Who works as fishermen/women in Newfoundland and Labrador?
During the reference week of May 2021, there were approximately 2,210 people working in this occupation in Newfoundland and Labrador. 80% of those employed were Male+ and 20% of those employed were Female+.
Here is the age group breakdown for this group of workers:
| 15 to 24 | 25 to 54 | 55 to 64 | 65+ |
| 9% | 57% | 26% | 9% |
Source: Census 2021, Statistics Canada
How much do fishermen/women make?
Annual Earnings
The median employment income for all fishermen/women in the reference year 2020 (3,345 workers in total, including those working part-time and full-time, as well as part-year and full-year) was $18,400.
Source: Census 2021, Statistics Canada
Hourly Earnings
Salary information for fishermen/women in Newfoundland and Labrador is as follows:
| Low ($/hour) | Median ($/hour) | High ($/hour) | |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $20.00 | $40.00 | $100.00 |
The following low, median, and high wages are for Canada:
| Low ($/hour) | Median ($/hour) | High ($/hour) |
| $18.10 | $27.77 | $60.00 |
Source: Job Bank, Government of Canada
Most Frequently Sought Skills from Job Postings (2025)
- There is no data available for this occupation.
Source: Vicinity Jobs
What training is required?
- Several years of experience as fishing vessel crew member or helper are usually required.
- Marine Emergency Duties Certificate is required by Transport Canada.
- A valid Fishing Vessel Operator Certificate is required.
- A commercial fishing licence is required.
- Licences are required for each species of fish pursued.
- Trade certification for fish harvesters is available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Progression to master or mate on fishing vessels over 100 gross tonnes is possible with additional training, licensing and experience.
Source: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021, Employment and Social Development Canada
* Find public and private education, training and skills development opportunities in Newfoundland and Labrador here.