by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Fishing & Fisheries Sciences & Management involves the study of Fishing And Fisheries Sciences And Management. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of The Husbandry And Production Of Non-Domesticated Fish And Shellfish Populations For Recreational And Commercial Purposes And The Management Of Fishing And Marine/aquatic Product Processing To Ensure Adequate Conservation And Efficient Utilization. Includes Instruction In The Principles Of Marine/aquatic Biology, Freshwater And Saltwater Ecosystems, Water Resources, Fishing Production Operations And Management, Fishing Policy And Regulation, And The Management Of Recreational And Commercial Fishing Activities. Continue reading for the essential details every fishing & fisheries sciences & management major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering fishing & fisheries sciences & management programs.
Nationwide, fishing & fisheries sciences & management is a popular field of study, with 407 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Fishing & Fisheries Sciences & Management Schools ranking analyzes these 22 schools to determine the best overall colleges for fishing & fisheries sciences & management students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of fishing & fisheries sciences & management programs later in this article.
Programs in Fishing & Fisheries Sciences & Management emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations fishing & fisheries sciences & management graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a fishing & fisheries sciences & management program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a fishing & fisheries sciences & management major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several fishing & fisheries sciences & management degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 9 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 38 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 245 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 106 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 9 |
People currently working in careers related to fishing & fisheries sciences & management tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Less than a high school diploma | 37.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 30.3% |
| Some college courses | 13.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 10.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 6.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 0.8% |
| Master’s degree | 0.4% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in fishing & fisheries sciences & management careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in fishing & fisheries sciences & management can lead to a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to fishing & fisheries sciences & management.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to fishing & fisheries sciences & management.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Fishing and Hunting Workers | 137,183 | 5.0% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | 33,611 | -0.6% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of fishing & fisheries sciences & management graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $35,186 |
| 4 years | $41,194 |
| 5 years | $48,316 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for fishing & fisheries sciences & management graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers fishing & fisheries sciences & management grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Fishing and Hunting Workers | $51,869 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | $36,803 |
With 22 different fishing & fisheries sciences & management programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased fishing & fisheries sciences & management school rankings to help you.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
