Commercial fishing pay is often based on a share of the boat’s catch, not a fixed annual salary. What a crew member takes home depends on the catch, the share formula, experience, the length of the season and any expenses charged to the crew. There is no dependable current national median in the cited U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics profile: its fishing-worker wage data were last updated in May 2017.
How commercial fishing pay is calculated
Many commercial fishing workers are paid through a crew share: a percentage of the boat’s catch proceeds. The share rises or falls with the catch, and experienced crew members often receive a larger share than entry-level workers, according to the BLS profile of fishers and related fishing workers.
Some vessels use a daily rate instead. A percentage alone does not tell you what a job will pay: you need to know the share’s calculation base, the actual catch, the work period and any deductions. Do not turn a share percentage into an annual salary without those details.
What earnings figures are available?
The BLS occupation profile groups fishing and hunting workers, and its fishing-worker wage data were last updated in May 2017. The page may display newer information for other profile fields, but that does not make the old wage data a current estimate. The May 2025 national Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics table does not provide a directly usable wage estimate for fishing and hunting workers. As a result, these sources do not support a reliable current national median, annual range or clean pay comparison between deckhands and captains.
Recommended Free Tools
#1 Best Overall
- Waterproof & Breathable Technology: Powered by state-of-the-art TEMRES technology, these winter gloves provide a 100% liquid-proof seal while allowing moisture and heat to escape. Keep your hands bone-dry and sweat-free during high-intensity outdoor work or winter sports.
- Integrated Cuff And Drawstring: The 282-02 model features a built-in nylon sleeve with an adjustable drawstring toggle. This cuff seals tightly around your arm or jacket sleeve to keep out snow, ice, and debris, making it perfect for deep-snow activities and harsh winter wind.
- Sub-Zero Thermal Protection: Rated for extreme environments, the insulated acrylic fleece liner provides superior warmth down to -58°F (-50°C). Our polyurethane coating remains ultra-flexible in freezing temperatures, preventing cracking in the harsh conditions.
- Superior Textured Grip: The specialized rough-textured finish ensures a secure, non-slip grip on wet pipes, frozen tools, and oily surfaces. Get a glove that has tactile precision, dexterity, and heavy-duty protection.
- Ergonomic Anti-Fatigue Fit: Anatomically shaped to mirror the natural curve of your hands, the TEMRES 282 drastically reduces hand strain during long shifts. The seamless knit liner eliminates irritation and pressure points, providing all-day comfort for construction, ice fishing, or landscaping.
An Alaska example, not a national pay rate
An older Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development employment guide describes newcomer deckhand earnings of 1.5%–10% of adjusted gross catch, with the share varying by location, fishery and worker skills. It also notes that some vessels offer a daily rate. The guide’s original publication date is not established here, so treat the range as a historical, regional illustration—not a current norm, guarantee or estimate for other fisheries. See the Alaska commercial fishing employment guide.
What changes the amount you keep?
- Share formula and payout base: Ask what percentage applies and how the contract defines the amount it is calculated on, such as adjusted gross catch.
- Catch and fishery: A share-based payout varies with the boat’s catch; the Alaska guide also says its example varied by location and fishery.
- Role and experience: BLS says experienced crew often receive a greater share than entry-level workers. The cited sources do not establish a current numerical captain-versus-deckhand pay difference.
- Season and trip length: Fishing work may be seasonal, with long or irregular shifts and trips lasting weeks or months. A season’s earnings should not be treated as a year-round salary without accounting for time away from work.
- Deductions and expenses: The Alaska guide lists food, fuel, bait and ice as expenses some boats may charge to crew. These are examples from an older Alaska source, not universal charges.
Questions to ask before accepting a fishing job
Get the pay terms in writing and clarify how the calculation works before estimating your likely earnings.
Rank #2
- Double-Dipped Chemical Protection: These latex-free gloves feature a high-performance, acid-resistant PVC coating that remains flexible down to -20°C, providing a robust defense against hazardous substances in demanding environments.
- Enhanced Rough Grip & Tactility: Engineered with a specialized rough-finish texture over the entire hand, these gloves ensure a strong, secure grip in both wet and dry conditions for precise handling during technical tasks.
- Ergonomic Fatigue Reduction: Dipped on a relaxed hand former to mimic the natural resting shape of the hand, the flexible construction allows for a maximum range of movement while significantly reducing hand fatigue during long shifts.
- Soft Seamless Liner & Industrial Standards: Features a moisture-wicking, computerized knit liner for all-day comfort; Category III certified to meet EN 388:2016 (3121X) and EN ISO 374 standards for chemical and biohazard protection.
- Bulk Crew Value Pack: Includes 12 pairs of professional-grade Atlas 620 gloves, providing certified ANSI A4 cut protection that's perfect for outfitting entire crews and ensures you always have a fresh, clean pair.
- Is pay a catch share, daily rate or another arrangement?
- If it is a share, what amount is the percentage based on, and what does the contract mean by “adjusted gross” or other payout terms?
- Which expenses, if any, are deducted from crew earnings? Ask specifically about food, fuel, bait, ice, gear and license costs.
- What are the expected season dates, trip lengths and days at sea, and how much time between trips is typically unpaid?
- How do the share terms differ by role or experience?
- Will you receive a signed agreement that explains pay and other entitlements?
The Alaska guide recommends a signed work agreement or contract that clearly sets out pay and entitlements. Its examples of required apparel include wet-weather gear, rubber boots, gloves and a sleeping bag; requirements and who pays for them can vary, so confirm the terms with the employer rather than assuming these costs apply everywhere.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What published crew surveys can—and cannot—tell you
NOAA Fisheries says its 2026 Greater Atlantic crew survey is collecting information about wage systems and expenses, but its survey page does not yet publish a current pay distribution. The survey is regional, not a national earnings estimate. NOAA also reports that 43 percent of respondents to its 2023 survey had considered leaving the industry; that is workforce context, not a wage statistic. See NOAA’s Greater Atlantic Region Fishing Crew Survey.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Double-Dipped Chemical Protection: Features a high-performance double-dipped PVC coating that is acid-resistant and flexible down to -20°C. These latex-free gloves provide reliable robust chemical defense.
- Enhanced Rough Grip: Engineered with a specialized rough-finish texture over the entire hand to ensure a strong, secure grip in both wet and dry environments. This extra grip increases tactility for precise handling during technical tasks.
- Ergonomic Comfort Design: These gloves are dipped on a relaxed hand former to mimic a natural resting shape, which significantly reduces hand fatigue during long shifts. The flexible construction allows for a maximum range of movement.
- Soft Seamless Liner: Constructed with a computerized knitting machine, the moisture-wicking cotton polyester liner provides all-day comfort without irritating seams. The soft, washable material keeps hands dry and fresh.
- Industrial Grade Standards: This Category III certified glove meets EN 388:2016 (3121X) and EN ISO 374 standards for chemical and biohazard protection. It is durable enough for demanding mining, agricultural, and coating trades.
Rank #4
- Waterproof & Windproof - The waterproof work gloves are made of high-quality polyester material fully coated with waterproof latex that provides excellent resistance to cold air, water, wind. It can keep your hands clean and dry even on snow or light rain days.
- Excellent Warmth Retention Property - These working gloves provide a high level of warmth with minimal bulk, thanks to an acrylic terry liner that keeps hands warm in temperatures down to -22°F. The high level of comfort makes them ideal general-purpose work gloves in the winter.
- Superior Grip - Foam latex palms provide these versatile gloves with an outstanding grip in wet or dry conditions. Wearing these gloves will reduce the potential for tool or equipment slippage, greatly reduce hand fatigue, and further reduce the potential for dangerous incidences.
- Flexible & Comfortable - Latex has excellent tear resistance, resilience and low temperature flexibility. Double-dipped Latex coating prevents these winter work gloves from stiffening in wet and freezing conditions, making them an good choice for any job involving contact with snow.
- Multi-Purpose - High-viz orange coloring lets you be seen and be safe. These warm work gloves are perfect for a variety of indoor and outdoor work such as grouting or wet saw, snow removal/salting, working with the water troughs, cleaning snow off, driving, gardening, snowball fights, skiing, outdoor chores, etc.
Rank #3
- Triple-Dipped Chemical Protection: Engineered with a heavyweight, triple-dipped PVC coating, these gloves provide a robust barrier against acids and oils while remaining flexible down to -20°C for reliable performance in extreme conditions.
- Enhanced Rough-Finish Grip: The specialized texture across the entire hand ensures a secure, non-slip grip and increased tactility when handling tools in damp, greasy, or oily environments for maximum precision and safety.
- Ergonomic Hand Fatigue Reduction: Dipped on a relaxed-hand former to mimic the natural resting shape of the hand, the 660 significantly reduces strain during long shifts, ensuring all-day comfort and productivity.
- Moisture-Wicking & Certified Safety: Features a seamless, anti-odor cotton-polyester liner to keep hands dry; Category III certified to meet EN 388:2016 (4121X) and EN ISO 374 standards for industrial chemical and biohazard defense.
- Bulk Crew Value Pack: Includes 12 pairs of professional-grade Atlas 660 gloves, providing certified ANSI A4 cut protection that's perfect for outfitting entire crews and ensures you always have a fresh, clean pair.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
