Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

Q: What types of fishing industry jobs are available in Alaska?

A: There are opportunities in a variety of different sectors of the fishing industry. We cover them all; from working in a salmon cannery to being a deckhand on a king crab boat. We also have a database of over 2,500 sport fishing charter boats.

Most of the processing jobs and many of the deckhand jobs can be done by inexperienced workers. You just need to be a healthy, able-bodied adult and be willing to work hard.

Q: Do employers provide free room and board? What about transportation?

A: It depends on where you work. In general, if you are working as a deckhand or on an offshore processing vessel, you will be provided with room and board. If you are working at an onshore processing plant, then it depends on a number of factors. In most cases, if the facility is located in a remote area, you will be provided room and board for free or at a highly subsidized rate. If the processing plant is located in a town, then it really depends on the company.

Many companies will also help pay for travel from Seattle to Alaska and back after the completion of a work contract. If you gain employment, and it's at a more remotely located onshore plant, then it's more likely you may receive free room and board and transportation.

Q: What about earnings-what's realistic for me to expect?

A: It's difficult to predict earnings due to variables such as employers' compensation policies, the size of the harvest, the market price of fish, and so forth. However, through the use of our featured Job Guide, you'll learn how workers earn up to $1,000+ per week during the peak season in a processing plant.

Working as a deckhand, you can make substantially more if your boat has a good season. But, there is also the risk that you can make less. Due to all of the variables involved, we don't like to quote estimated deckhand earnings, but every year we are amazed at how much some of the deckhands make.

Here are a couple articles from the Seattle Times daily newspaper which state some potential earnings figures (you will need to register on the Seattle Times website to view these articles - It is free to register):

 

"Low tech: Eight hours at a desk isn't you? There's still a paycheck in old standbys" "Mining crab in a merciless sea" "Gone fishing: Rugged job can pay"

 

Q: I am not a United States citizen, can I still get a job in Alaska?

A: Yes you can, as long as you are able to procure a United States Work Visa. Alaska offers the "International Alaska Fishing Industry Worker Exchange & Recruitment Program" which makes it easy for foreign nationals to obtain VISA's as long as the General Hiring Manager at a processing facility, or the captain/owner of a fishing vessel can provide you a notarized letter of employment.  When you receive the document, just go to any U.S. Embassy in the world and apply for your VISA.  As long as you have no criminal background history, you are entitled to a VISA by STATE LAW, regardless of the country you are from.  We do provide FREE assistance in helping you obtain a VISA.  We've been in the Alaska Employment Industry since 1992, and have built a Internationally renown reputation for helping foreigners find Alaska Fishing Jobs, no matter what it takes.

Warning - We have received numerous reports about companies recruiting employees for work in Alaska in such countries as India and South Africa. It appears that these companies are charging large amounts of money for "guaranteed" jobs in Alaska. Please use extreme caution if you talk to any of these companies. Reports to us say that they are fraudulent and don't provide a job as promised. We are not aware of any Alaska companies that have contracts with recruiters outside the United States.

Q: How long does it take me to set up a job using your service?

A: First of all, we don't guarantee jobs through the use of our Fishing Industry Job Guide because the success of your independent employment search depends solely on your efforts.

For those hired, the time it takes varies from several days to several months. The process for getting a harvesting job is very different than that for a processing job. Possibilities include writing or calling ahead, hooking up with a boat in Seattle or the boat owner in a town near you during the off-season, or just showing up in an Alaska town and following the strategy outlined in our featured Job Guide. Your job hunting tactics will vary depending on what type of work you're looking for and the time of year.

Q: How long do I have to work?

A: Companies hire in summer, in winter, and year-round, depending on the fishery and the type of work. Thousands of workers spend their summers processing during the salmon peak, while others head North in winter for the harvesting and processing of groundfish. Still others work year-round or ten months out of the year. A worker's schedule will depend on availability and the type of work they seek. Offshore processing employment contracts generally range anywhere from three to six months. A summer onshore processor's average contract is two to three (depending on the region) months.

Employment can be abandoned anytime after signing a contract, but expect to lose some potential benefits (such as room and board coverage, return transportation reimbursement, and end of season bonuses).

Q: Will I know if I have a job before I leave for Alaska?

A: Many employers pre-hire, attempting to hire most of the workers before the season. Our featured Alaska Fishing Job Guide explains how to apply in advance or apply as a walk-in at the facility in Alaska. We provide information on getting a job in each of the different fisheries and any of the five fishing regions in Alaska; you choose the best option and pursue that avenue.

Q: How old do you need to be to work up in Alaska?

A: Although legally 16 year olds can work many of the positions in Alaska's fishing industry, we generally recommend people wait until they are 18 years or older.

There is no maximum age, as long as you are physically fit and can perform the work.

Q: Where should I work?

A: Different species of fish are caught and processed in different areas. We divide up the territory into five distinct fishery regions, each with its own peak season and living and working opportunities: Southeast Alaska, Prince William Sound and Kenai Peninsula, Kodiak Island, Alaska Peninsula and Aleutian Islands, and the Bristol Bay area. Using the information provided for each region, potential applicants can evaluate not only the type of work, but the cost of getting to the work site, the local climate, and living conditions. Plus it's nice to consider the proximity to desirable travel destinations (for after the season!).

Q: Do companies provide health insurance?

A: Some do and some don't. Workers with longer contracts may have insurance; this depends on the company's policy. Most seasonal workers will not receive company health insurance but have coverage through Labor & Industries laws (i.e. worker's comp).

Q: Do you have to be a student in order to get a job?

A: Absolutely not, but students looking for employment like to work in Alaska because of the months of operation (summer) and the wonderful experience it provides. Alaska fishery workers come from a variety of different age groups, states (and countries), and ethnicities.

Q: What if I don't have any experience in this type of work?

A: Most processing jobs, about 75 percent of ship based and shore based processing jobs require no previous experience. On the other hand, skippers usually prefer to hire experienced deckhands, but lots of individuals with no prior experience get hired because they are able to convince the skipper that they are good hard workers and would make a good addition to the crew. In our Alaska Fishing Jog Guide, we teach you the best strategies to land a job as a deckhand.

Q: What makes the information in our featured Job Guide better than other information on the internet?

A: We have been the leading Alaska fisheries employment research organization for over seventeen years. No other company has the experience that we have in helping people navigate their employment options in Alaska's fishing industries. Hundreds of industry insiders and experts have played a part in helping us putting our resources together. There simply isn't any other information available anywhere that is as thorough, up-to-date, and dedicated specifically to help people find employment in Alaska's fishing industry.

Yes, you can find some limited information for free on the internet. But, to maximize your earning potential it is important to understand the fishing industry. The fishing industry is a complex industry, there are a number of different types of fish harvested, types of fishing gear used, different regions with different fish runs, and annual fluctuations. All of this can have a large impact on how much you can make in the Alaska fishing industry. We simplify everything for you and provide you with a strategy to succeed.

Q: Can my family go to Alaska with me and will the company pay for their room and board?

A: The companies that offer room and board usually don't make a habit out of subsidizing accommodations for families-only for employees. Sometimes families can find independent housing in the town they are working in, but the costs will usually be the responsibility of the employee.

Q: Is it hard for women to find work?

A: While still largely a male-dominated industry, fish harvesting and processing employs a considerable number of female workers. Especially at onshore and offshore processors, women are very much a part of the work force.

The number of women deckhands is increasing every year. There are even a number of woman-owned and operated harvesting boats.

Nearly all employers would consider themselves Equal Opportunity Employers (which is the law).

Q: Can a friend and I go up and work together?

A: It's common for friends to look together for work in Alaska. If you gain employment, there's no guarantee that you'll end up working together every day; it depends on which companies you apply to and their individual employment practices and needs.

Q: What taxes do I have to pay when I am working in Alaska?

A: Workers in Alaska pay their required Federal taxes like Social Security, Medicare, and regular federal withholdings. Alaska does not have a state income tax. Generally, workers pay the same taxes in Alaska that they pay back home.

Q: Are there any office jobs available?

A: Yes, each year there are a number of office jobs available. Each processing facility has an office. Some people consider these jobs more desirable, others prefer to work in the plant because they often get more overtime hours there.

Q: Is coed housing available?

A: Sometimes yes. Of the companies that offer housing, some provide for this arrangement, but the majority of accommodations will separate men and women. If workers camp or find their own housing, this obviously won't be an issue. Lots of options are available and it varies from company to company.


Q: Is working on a sport fishing charter vessel a good job?

A: Yes, working on a sport fishing charter boat can be a great job. Most of the jobs are during the summer, on salmon or halibut charter boats. Deckhands get to meet a lot of interesting people and usually have a decent amount of free time to explore. Sport charter deckhands also can make excellent money. Most deckhands get paid an hourly or daily wage plus tips. Combined it can amount to $150 to $200 or more a day. If you enjoy fishing and have good people skills, this can be a great way to spend your summer. We profile just about every sports charter vessel that operates in Alaska (over 2,500) in our Alaska Fishing Job Guide.

Q: How much is your featured Job Guide?

A: THE ALASKA FISHING JOB GUIDE - You can purchase our featured Alaska Fishing Job Guide for $29 USD.  Our Job guide will provide you with all of the backdoor Alaska Fishing Industry Contacts, Resources & Tools for you to quickly find employment in the region.